An Artist's Update

"The end of art is peace"

--The Harvest Bow by Seamus Heaney

photo credit (above) and FB post (below) by Karen Schmidt

A Warm Welcome to my friends and supporters

IN THIS ISSUE

ART CRITIQUE

ARTABILITY

CAPSTONE SCULPTURE

COMMUNITY ART (2)

Dear Friends,

I'm so pleased to share with you that my month-long artist residency in Lanesboro, MN really jump started me back deep into my willow work. Two weeks in, I found myself waking each morning saying to myself, "I feel h-a-p-p-y. I feel content and satisfied." As a byproduct of that, I created 7 pieces while there and then that momentum has continued as I return to my local studio practice. Last week alone I created another 7 pieces. I'm actually a bit tired now and will be switching gears and paying attention to some computer work and photo editing that is calling my name.

The ebb and flow of incubating/percolating and active creating is ever a mystery to me. May I-we-you, ride those waves with as much grace for ourselves as we can muster.

Psst....did you know that I update my website every month with new artwork, images and events!

Warmly,

Martha 

Public Art Critique  

Join us Saturday from 1-3 pm for

Engaging with Criticism: Creating Open Dialogues

Have you ever heard an artist share about having an art critique?

Does the very idea or word sound intimidating?

In partnership with William G Franklin (Minneapolis College of Art and Design faculty), Fresh Eye Gallery invites the public to attend this unique event featuring artist presentations and art critiques of 8 selected artists.  I am honored to be one of those artists. The event is free.

Participating artists include:
Martha Bird
Anna Brauch @annachristine_makes 
Rachel Coyne @imrachelcoyne 
Keith Dixon @keith_dixon_painter
Anna Gambucci @annagambucci 
Will Gonzalez
Amina Harper @amina.harper 
Christopher E. Harrison @christophereharrisonartist 

The goal of the event is to create a cohort of eight artists of a wide variety of mediums and experience levels participating in an active open conversation and connection over art.

The general public is invited to observe and participate in the critique part of the event which is from 1-3 pm. Each of the 8 artists will present one artwork, talk about it and then ask a question. The critique continues from there.

Fresh Eye Gallery staff say, "We aim to produce collective and open dialogues to further expand critical language and appreciation of art as wherever there is art, there is a conversation among audiences and public debate about what art is. As a gallery that hosts and represents a large number of works of art and artists, we naturally and routinely engage in these conversations with the community. We want to hear and learn from what others have to say, and want all to be able to contribute to art criticism.

About the co-organizer: 
William G. Franklin “Billy” is a college professor, bilingual educator, and independent art curator. Franklin holds a Master of Liberal Studies with a minor in Art History from the University of Minnesota. Franklin has curated more than a dozen exhibits locally and serves as a panelist reviewing applications for grants and artist-in-residence programs. Recent professional service includes Juror for the Anderson Center Residency Program in Red Wing, MN, translator and bilingual tour guide for the Minnesota Museum of American Art, and curator in the Speed Curating program of ArtReach St. Croix in Stillwater, MN. Billy teaches Introduction to History of Art and Design 2 and Criticism and Theory 1 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. @bfranklinfactor 

When: Saturday, October 22, 2022

Time: 1-3 pm

Where: Fresh Eye Gallery, 4238 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Artability Art Show & Sale

October 28 - 29, 2022

People Incorporated's annual Artability Art Show & Sale is back in-person for the first time since 2019! I am excited to have 20+ paintings, charcoal, mixed media, mosaics, photographs etc. on exhibit (no sculpture category this year). I am showcasing all my work created during the pandemic + a few others.

This year’s Artability Art Show & Sale features an eclectic array of over 400 pieces of mixed media artwork made by artists with lived experience of mental illness. It is a rich representation of how our artists have utilized creativity to stimulate mental wellness throughout the pandemic and the extended period of isolation we all experienced.

This is a really fun show to attend as the talent is phenomenal!

When: Friday, October 28 5:30 - 8:30 pm; Saturday, October 29 11 am - 4 pm

Where: Union Depot, 240 Kellogg Blvd East, St. Paul

RECAP

Lanesboro Arts Residency

article from Lanesboro Arts 9/22/22 e-newsletter

MARTHA BIRD CAPSTONE SCULPTURE

Martha Bird's wonderful woven willow sculpture, "Process of Wholeness," has made its home in the Lanesboro landscape. The piece was made from willow branches that community members gathered during a residency event in late August.Thanks to the skillful assistance of Kelsey Heathcote, the sculpture was installed between the Sons of Norway Lodge and the Lanesboro Community center. Bird revealed the piece during her Artist Residency capstone event on September 8th. Next time you take a walk near Sylvan Park, stop and appreciate the interplay of bark and branch, the interconnected motion of the weaving, and the combined affect of the work and its natural surroundings!

The Lanesboro Artist Residency Program is supported by the Jerome Foundation.

a community member texted me this photo with the full moon in the center!!

RECAP

Collaborative Community Based Art

Powderhorn Art Fair: Flags Up for: People, Places, & Ideas

August 5, 6, 7, 2022

Community member Peter Haakon Thompson and the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Organization set up tables in the park, weeks before the Powderhorn Art Fair to allow park attendees to create flags to adorn the art fair. I had fun creating mine which is circled above.

Vail Place: Mindful Art: Basketry

October 13, 2022

Collaborative baskets continue to be built monthly by Vail Place members. The sides of the baskets are now complete!

Thank you for sharing in my life!