An Artist's Update

A Warm Welcome to my friends and supporters

photo credit: Aaron Shaffer, Avivo 

IN THIS ISSUE

EXHIBITS (2)

ART AT THE BANK

JUST FOR FUN

Dear Friends,

In addition to the exciting things I'm announcing in this newsletter, I have 2 things to share that I am very proud of as a way of winding up the summer season.  

One is that I continued to swim the 1 mile course across Lake Nokomis all summer with the Minneapolis Swim Club and loved it!

The other is that I had my final 1 year, post-close meeting with Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and my small business as a Visual Artist in the Fine Arts

was deemed a "success" again 

(using the federal definition based on income/expenses).  

This VRS meeting determined that not only was my business a "success" upon the close of my case, but also at the 6 month and 1 year follow up.  Particularly gratifying is that I learned that my "numbers" being so strong will help other's being evaluated have more leeway in their numbers and strengthen our regions success rate in the eyes of the federal government.  Well worth the work since my first meeting in October 2018!  

I am celebrating all of this, while also living with the concern and sadness of all that life brings at this time.

I wish you moments of celebration amidst all that is true in your life as well.

Martha 

New Location:

Outdoor Exhibit with dance performance

Momentary Certainties

September 11 - October 27, 2021

(I have 3 sculptures on display) 

Shannon Hartle dancing with sculpture Dancing Willow made by Martha Bird

This outdoor, temporary exhibition will be installed along walking paths and throughout the lawns, meadows, and native grasses on the grounds of the Eagan Art House as part of the Eagan Art Block 2021 celebration of art and community.

Over a total of 4 in person visits, dancer Shannon and sculptor Martha created this collaboration that involved each watching the other practice their art.  Shannon watching and filming Martha outside, shoes off, sitting on the earth and weaving. And Martha delighting in Shannon’s interpretation of her weaving motions into “motifs” and repeated patterns that would become the foundation of her dance.

You are invited!!

7 min. dance performance:

Saturday, September 11 at 10:15 and 11:15 am

(along with other fun events from 10 am - 12 noon)

Exhibit and Dance location:

Eagan Art House

3981 Lexington Ave. S. 

Eagan, MN

In person exhibit

What's Next?  

September 4 - November 2, 2021

A capstone solo exhibit featuring art made from materials I gathered

during the May 2020 Minneapolis uprising and exhibited on site.

Includes a series of 9 "erasure ash" drawings and a mosaic.

This show is particularly meaningful to me due to the subject matter and use of materials gathered from my Minneapolis neighborhood.  The exhibit is located behind the librarian's desk on the blue wall above the computers.

While at the library, please also enjoy the art by fellow Collective member TL Reeves near the children's section.  East Lake Library has a partnership with Avivo ArtWorks Collective, to share our art with the community.

If you'd like some company seeing the exhibit, please reach out to me and let's coordinate a visit together!!  

Location: Hennepin County Library--East Lake   

2727 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN            

Hours available here

Permanent Display

Wisconsin financial institution

A large national arts organization selected my Tree Mosaic and The Beauty of Grieving is Born from the Beauty of Loving to be printed and framed each at 43 x 34 inches and hung on the walls of a Wisconsin financial institution.  How great is that!!  It is particularly meaningful as I was raised, went to college, and had my first job in Wisconsin.

Just for fun!  

Bryr Button Knot

I read a fun and inspiring book called the year of knots by Windy Chien so I've been having fun playing around with making knots!  

Thank you for interest and support!