An Artist's Update

"there is only one of you in all of time"

A Warm Welcome to my friends and supporters

IN THIS ISSUE

EXHIBITS (3)

INSTALLATION

GRANT AWARD

MARKETING

RESIDENCY AWARD

JUST FOR FUN

Dear Friends,

It has been 2 months since I last checked in with you.  Oh how things can change in that amount of time, both in seasons externally but also internally.  As I have experienced challenges on a personal level, it invariably seeps into how I feel about my art-life.  I continue to dig deep to ask myself some hard questions and also to remember what values I hold dear.  I share this with you as I know I'm not alone in this feeling of periodic struggle.  I am doing my best to bring into close view for myself the value that drives both my art making and my sharing of it publicly.

This value is wonderfully expressed in a quote by the choreographer and dancer Martha Graham who invented a revolutionary new dance language and stage aesthetic.  She was speaking to her biographer Agnes De Mille friend of 60 years and fellow choreographer. Agnes was upset by some comments that were made about her art form and Martha responded with this: 

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique.  And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.  The world will not have it.  It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions.  It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.  You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.  You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you.  Keep the channel open."  

My hope for myself and for you, is that we feel some peace and rest amidst the really amazing and the profoundly difficult and keep the channel open. 

Martha 

New Gallery Representation!

Two Solo Exhibits 

Body Work (international) and Willow in Motion (local)

November 15, 2021 - January 15, 2022

As an artist, a gallery asking to "represent" you and your work is a real honor.  It's a partnership that includes increased public awareness and access to a broader audience for both the artist and the gallery .

I am excited to share that I was invited for just that opportunity by Susan Hensel Gallery.  Susan has a 50+ year career as a respected, multidisciplinary artist.  Her gallery focuses on compelling objects, meaningful use of materials, and engaging sculpture where experimental ideas and works of the hand join to create unique sensory experiences.  As my debut, she created a solo exhibit of my work on artsy-dot-net, a platform dedicated to making a joyful, welcoming experience that connects collectors with the artists and artworks they love.

Body Work is made up of 24 of my sculptures, shown as both individual and installation photographs, and can be found on artsy.net.  Be sure to read the independent critic's essay to get another view of my work.

Willow in Motion at Windows on Cedar is made up of 2 sculptures in the windows at 3441 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55407 and can be seen as you drive by.

The shows are getting some great international press:  Midwest Home and EIN Presswire

Check out the wonderful things Susan said in her blog about our connection!

In person and virtual exhibit

at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in PA   

November 7, 2021 - January 30, 2022

Art Ability is an exhibit put on by a Pennsylvania rehab hospital.  I saw their "call for art" looking for art from people living with disabilities (we now have an acronym--PWD).  What is remarkable about THIS call for art is that they pay the cost of shipping to and from PA. Normally, that is an out of pocket expense for the artist.  I submitted 6 pieces and 5 of them were accepted!  

Please take a moment to enjoy the extraordinary art from around the world.  

There are multiple ways to view the exhibit and learn about the artists:

--online sales gallery (mine are items #19-23 on the first page )

--virtual "walking" tour where you "walk" the halls of the hospital by doing a click-hold of your mouse and moving it in the direction you want to go.

--inspiring artist videos each 60 seconds (mine is at the 51:13 minute mark)           

Collaborative Installation 

at Art Works in Eagan

Intertwining Stories: A Macro Macramé (Macromé!) Project 

It was fun contributing a vessel to this large-scale textile installation designed by Eagan fiber artist Haley Harnagel. The project served to connect the community through art-making and culminated in a live-streamed, public art installation at Art Works in Eagan (location of the studio where I make my willow sculptures). People are invited to support Art Works by purchasing a dedication in memory or honor of another individual. Your dedication is assigned to a vessel, clay pot or a decorated tag, handmade by an Art Works artist, and incorporated in the final macramé installation. You may purchase a dedication. 

Watch a fun video of the making.

MN State Arts Board Grant Award

Creative Support for Individuals 

For this round of grants, the eligibility criteria was focused on any 1 of the following artists or culture bearers: BIPOC, person living with a disability, resident of rural MN or someone who had received a grant between 2015-21.  Grantees will be able to use funds to sustain their practice and stay relevant and connected to audiences now and in the future. This grant program aims to help Minnesota artists and culture bearers maintain their visibility and financial sustainability by using their creativity and connections to community.  

96.4% of the applicants in Round 1 were awarded grants!!

check out the wonderful list here

I am so pleased that I am one of those recipients.  My funds will go to support the purchase of a new computer and to get a light room/photoshop subscription in hopes of resolving connectivity and photo editing issues I've been having.  Also to add a gallery installation page to my website and pay for studio rental.      

I came to understand recently that it is MN voters that historically decided a portion of the collected MN sales tax and lottery sales would go to supporting artists--thank you MN voters!   

Marketing Coverage 

With my recent East Lake Library exhibit (now ended) I was thrilled to see the following organizations promoted this show:

Pollen which is a "media arts organization that fosters empathy, encourages connection across difference, and inspires meaningful action by sharing stories of individuals who want to change our collective story for the better."

MPLSART which is "a guiding voice in the Twin Cities visual arts community and has been covering the best local exhibitions, artists, galleries, and more for over a decade."

Thank you Pollen and MPLSART!!

Residency Award 

Lanesboro Arts & Jerome Foundation Artist Residency

I took my courage in hand and although there was not the usual writing support available to me through my art collective due to staff changes, I applied for this "place-based" art opportunity that would expand my skills.  The first task when applying is to read the Selection Criteria to see if it is a match.  Here is what I saw:

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Artistic Excellence

1. Original voice, innovation, vision, imagination, unique/groundbreaking

2. Project shows significant artistic development / Risk and opportunity for artistic excellence

3. Artistically consistent body of work

Project Merit

1. Ability to integrate art into community / Value of project to the community / Project is a good fit for the community

2. Value of proposed project to artist’s career / Potential for artistic growth as emerging artist

3. Feasibility of project / Ability to accomplish project in required time

It was the first time I applied for something 100% on my own without someone to walk me through the anxiety and self doubt.  For this opportunity, I had to acknowledge that "I understand this program’s place-based focus, my practice is informed by place and community, and I am interested in utilizing my art and/or artistic process to activate the people & places of Lanesboro while instigating positive change."  

It was open to artists in Minnesota and the 5 boroughs of New York.  There were 2 artists selected out of 30 and I was so pleased and surprised to learn that I was 1 of them and will have my residency in the Fall 2022!  See the announcement with a summary of what I'll be doing for this month-long, paid experience in Lanesboro, MN.  

In this new arena of place-based work, it's jump-of-the-ledge-and-go time (metaphorically)

like I did ziplining in MA years ago!

Just for fun! 

In case you missed the beautiful Leslie Barlow exhibit at Mia: Within Between Beyond   

I'm currently enjoying the biography Martha: The Life and Work of Martha Graham written by Agnes De Mille (see the quote in my intro).  I thought it was time I read her whole story.

Thank you for sharing in my life!