An Artist's Update

“This might be the most difficult task for us...not to look away from what is actually happening. To look long enough, so that we can look through it, like a window.“

--Marie Howe, poet

A World Beyond Artist Talk 

July 16, 2023, First Universalist Church

A Warm Welcome to my friends and supporters

IN THIS ISSUE

STATE FAIR--FINE ARTS

EXHIBITS (3)

GRANT UPDATE (2)

NEW PRINTS SOLD

RECAP (2)

ART ON BUS SHELTER

UPCOMING

Dear Friends and Supporters,

In the last couple of newsletter intros, I’ve briefly referenced disappointments that come along in the life of an artist.  They are unpredictable and need to be managed somehow in order to keep creating.  One of the constants in this life (my life) is change.  Constant change.  That can feel alright if I am NOT in a good spot.  But when I am in a great place and the change brings significant challenge, that is tougher to swallow.

For the past year, I’ve been fortunate in that I was able to decide what, when, how, and where I create with my willow.  Of late, I’ve encountered some studio constraints that affect all of these components of my art practice.  I’ve been working diligently to keep moving on my path forward: seeking clear vision, finding my voice and to the best of my ability staying with what is true in the situation—rather than how I wish it was or want it to be.  I am finding that the intermingling of one’s art practice with one’s experience of life as a human is sometimes tricky to navigate.

I’m happy to report that alongside the human experience of taking what comes with life, I have been able to begin weaving again this past week. This after a 7 week hiatus in order to try most effectively to address the unexpected and unwanted changes.

Martha  

2023 Fine Arts Exhibition

with Free Preview Night

August 24 - September 4, 2023  

At the Helm sculpture accepted!!
 

With artists submitting 2649 works from all over the state of Minnesota, I consider this a great honor to be included in the 332 exhibiting artists at this year's fair. This one-of-a-kind exhibition features artworks in eight classes of competition. It’s free to enter but you can only submit ONE piece—so you have to choose carefully.

The last time I was accepted into this show was in 2020 when the whole fair was shut down due to the pandemic. Individual tickets were sold to only the fine arts center so most people didn’t even know about it.

Since its start in 1854, the Minnesota State Fair has been a beloved yearly ritual. Two million people visit the Minnesota State Fair each year, making it the 2nd largest in the country. And it has a particular place in the hearts of Minnesotans.

Two Ways to see this year's exhibition:

1) Attend the free Artists’ Preview Night on Tuesday, August 22 from 7-9 pm (before the fair opens).

Participating and non-exhibiting artists and their friends are cordially invited to attend the free Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Preview Night. Please refer to the map and instructions on page four of the rules and regulations for directions on entering the fairgrounds. Award results will be posted on the Minnesota State Fair website at this time.

2) Attend the fair from Thursday, August 24 - Monday, September 4 ($18 gate fee).
 

Location

MN State Fairgrounds

1265 Snelling Ave.

St. Paul, MN 55108

Hours

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; 8 p.m. Labor Day

I'm excited to see everyone's art !!

Southern Illinois Exhibit

From Fiber...

September 1 - 30, 2023

photo: Stay or Go

I am honored to have one of my newest sculptures exhibiting in this show.  The exhibition will display a large array of works made by artists from across the country. All pieces have something in common, they are made from, with, or about fiber. 

Juror: Ann Coddington. I took a wonderful class from Ann a number of years ago.  She utilizes a variety of traditional and innovative fiber techniques including twining, looping, lashing and netting in her sculptural forms.

I'm excited to be making a road trip to the opening reception September 8, 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

Location

Springfield Art Association

MG Nelson Family Gallery

105 N. 5th Street 
Springfield, IL 62701

Greater Philadelphia Exhibit

Art Ability in Pennsylvania

October 28, 2023 - January 28, 2024

Willow Herb Basket; New York New York

This exciting exhibition features more than 400 pieces of art, sculpture and jewelry by 200 artists living with disability from around the globe.

I am honored to have two functional baskets selected for this show. I created the Willow Herb Basket under the wonderful tutelage of Jo Campbell-Amsler who was my first willow teacher! New York New York was taught by MN Basket Weaver's Guild, Ellie Lida.

Art Ability offers a unique and accessible venue for artists with disabilities to display and sell their work. In addition to supporting Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital’s vision and mission to advocate for those with disabilities in their community while advancing the artistic and financial success of artists with disabilities, the art in the exhibition is used daily to motivate and treat patients at the Hospital.

I find it especially rewarding to show in medical settings, so I will be traveling to Philly to participate in the 10/28 Preview Party and the 11/2 Dinner Celebration!

Artability Art Show & Sale

St. Paul, MN

October 27 - 28, 2023

I am thrilled, once again, to be exhibiting with People Incorporated's annual Artability Art Show & Sale. Each artist can exhibit up to 5 pieces of art. An eclectic array of artwork made by artists with lived experience of mental illness, showcases a rich representation of how artists have utilized creativity to stimulate mental wellness. And this year, all art will be priced at $300 or less, encouraging us all to buy local art!

Friday night is a really fun opening reception to attend as the hors d'oeuvres are delicious, the live cello music soothing and the creativity stunning!

One of my pieces will be the 5-panel series of original 11x14" drawings depicting an incident from the life of my service dog.

When: Friday, October 27 6 - 9 pm (opening reception); Saturday, October 28 10 am - 3 pm

Where: Union Depot, 240 Kellogg Blvd East, St. Paul (ask security for directions)

Grant Update

2023 MRAC Arts Impact for Individuals Grant 

Weaving Wellness: Farmers Market Basket

In April 2023, I was fortunate to receive an MRAC grant to “connect Minnesotans with art experiences." My project was called Weaving Wellness and I taught the making of a Farmers Market Basket from start to finish during 4 classes in June/July at Vail Place a mental health recovery Clubhouse.  Each person received a basket kit, a bucket and toolkit to use while in class, and we had a professional photographer present to document the process.  Whoever came the first time, got their basket kit and could weave it to the end and keep it.  If they had to miss a class, which often happens with symptoms or schedule, then someone else got to claim that basket at the next class to be their own, weave it to the end and keep it.  

Many of the 18 members who got hands-on weaving experience were first time weavers and/or brand new members!  The class was a lot of fun AND hard at times!!  With patience and persistence there were 10 completed baskets at the end.  

The project culminated in a big Celebration and Reception on Thursday, August 3rd with the Executive Director welcoming the room full of 35 attendees to the reception.  All 10 completed baskets were on display, as well as a sample kit with tools and bucket, and a wonderful spread of food.  Each class participant received a 5x7 print of themselves weaving as a thank you gift for their participation and the 10 people that completed the basket in class 4 were able to bring them home.  We heard from each class participant about their experience and also myself, the professional photographer Shia Yang and Diane the Occupational Therapy instructor added comments.

Just this week, I was handed a copy of Vail Place's 2022 Annual Report and was proud to be featured in an article about my past and present basketry work at the clubhouse.  

Thank you to all who participated and who supported these projects! 

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Grant Update

2023 MN Individualized Microgrant

My Art Display Storage Wall is done (thanks to Dwayne Johnson, MSS volunteer)!

New Prints of Artwork Sold 

through a Cause-Based Art Program

to a large national healthcare provider! 

I've had long term partnerships with several local Project Collaborator organizations that work with businesses around the country to create aesthetically pleasing montages of artwork for their staff and clientele.  Below are a sampling of my pieces in various medical clinics in: California, Florida and New Jersey (circled in red).  The plaque next to them state:

Our Cause Based Art program is a collection of art created by a diverse group of individuals with physical or mental health challenges, or who face challenges in their everyday life keeping them from a healthy lifestyle. The artwork generated by the artists helps to build healthier communities by aiding in the healing process and promoting inclusion and diversity. The creative process serves as both an opportunity for the artist for self-expression and storytelling, and to be seen for their unique gifts. This experience and the ability to create art is often life changing.

The engagement of the artists with you, the viewer, has enormous potential to influence each person’s life in a positive way. Art Heals.

Recap 

A World Beyond--Art & Soul Interview

This is the 23 minute conversation with Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout about my nine piece installation titled A World Beyond held at First Universalist Church in Minneapolis on July 16, 2023.

Note: When you click/tap the image above, you will automatically be redirected to the online version of this newsletter, where you will see the above image again. Please click the arrow on that image to begin the video. My portion starts at minute 18:28.

Recap 

Lanesboro Arts Juried Sales Gallery

As promised, here is the link to check out the Sales Gallery which features works by over 90 artists from Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin (including mine).

Coming Soon: Bus Shelter Beautification! 

Franklin & Chicago Avenues, Minneapolis

I am over-the-moon happy that an image of my spiral sculptures will soon be seen on the bus stop at Chicago & Franklin in Minneapolis! It will be right in front of the mosaic art benches there. There were over 35 submissions and they selected 10 artist designs. The installation is supposed to happen "late this summer."

As part of the Better Bus Stops and Public Art in Transit programs, Metro Transit accepts proposals from local artists to design shelter glass clings to add placemaking/community identity at bus stops in their neighborhood. This program was created to address damage to bus shelters, the need to increase community engagement around bus stops, and support the local arts community.

A Metro Transit service area artist chooses a bus stop from the list provided and submits designs (using the template) for the bus shelter. Designs are reviewed and selected. The chosen artists then must provide print-ready images and receives $1200 for their design. It will be up for approximately 2 years.

Thank you to Fresh Eye Arts Director of Arts Development Lauren Hughes for helping me with the technical aspects of this lengthy and very complicated submission process!!

Upcoming in 2023

Article in CanvasRebel Magazine about my art practice (thanks Susan Hensel for the recommendation!)

Scholarship Award to Sievers School of Fiber Arts: Bent Willow Chair Class 9/29 - 10/1

Teaching my first public basketry class: Farmers Market Basket in Fergus Falls 10/21-10/22

Solo exhibition on Artsy.net 10/15 - 12/15 2023

Thank you for sharing in my life!