An Artist's UpdateJanuary 2024 |
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“Art asks us to open ourselves to the unknown, self-revelation, and the risk of failure.” --Jeannine Ouellette, author of The Part That Burns |
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A Warm Welcome to my friends and supporters |
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IN THIS ISSUEWHAT'S NEW VIDEO SOLO EXHIBIT GROUP EXHIBIT PATREON LAUNCH NEW STUDIO PRESS RECAP |
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Goodbye to 2023 and Welcome to the New Year! Hello Friends and Supporters, This past month, when I invited my 20+ year old nephew to continue to share more conversations with me, I found myself saying to him: Life is hard. Everyone has hard things. Let's keep talking. So I will circle back around to my referencing some studio constraints that were negatively impacting my art practice and my ability to create. I had a studio within a social service agency and it was a downhill journey through 3 levels of grievance to try and retain a workable space for my medium. It became clear to me this past October that to "advocate for myself as an artist" I needed to make the difficult decision to leave. What I loved most about being there were the other artists I shared space with. It was an exciting, vibrant community of artists. I will miss the daily contact I had with them. A door firmly closed. And then there was a window. After a thorough search that began last June, on November 1, 2023 I got the keys to my new solo studio space at F-O-K Studios in St. Paul, an arts building with 50+ working artists. I've spent the last month and a half getting the VERY raw space cleaned, walls and floors primed and painted, and new track lighting installed. My sculptures are hung, supplies organized and now things are ready for me to settle in for the winter. I had a big Person Centered Planning event on this year's Winter Solstice (December 21) where I invited a few community members to look with me at my long term goals and then help brainstorm what steps will bring me there. I’m feeling reflective of the past year and looking forward to the coming year to see what that will bring. One of the very exciting things I'm doing right now, in this newsletter, is launching my new subscription-based Patreon service where I'll be sharing more in depth about my art practice. Think of this newsletter as skimming the surface and the Patreon site as diving in and looking around at all the life that is under the surface. Check out the 2 minute video, just below, where I describe both things I mentioned in this intro. Then read on to learn how you can be a part of this new development! I'd love to hear how you are doing and what is ahead for you. Martha |
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What's New 2 min. video Click the arrow below and then click again to watch. |
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Online Solo Exhibition In Sight; Sight In October 15, 2023 - January 31, 2024 |
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photo: in sight; sight in |
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I'll never forget the day when Susan, a then-neighbor and 50+ year career fiber artist, asked me, while we were chatting over my fence, if her gallery could represent me. The focus of Susan Hensel Gallery is on compelling objects, meaningful use of materials, and engaging sculpture. It is a gallery where experimental ideas and works of the hand join to create unique sensory experiences. You can see the honor inherent in her inquiry and of course I said YES! The Susan Hensel Gallery is hosting a final exhibition on the international online platform Artsy. I am fortunate to be invited as this last exhibition and am showing my most recent body of work created from 2022-2023. And if that isn't wonderful enough, there is a very thoughtful critic's essay about my work. I hope you will take the time to read it. |
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Group Exhibition Unearthed February 16 - March 18, 2024 |
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FOOD, FUN, and ART! What a privilege to receive an invitation to exhibit alongside Lily Peterson (textiles) for her debut exhibition, as well as Marvin Wise (paintings), and Randy Blase (ceramics). We are all excited to invite you to our opening reception Artist Talk and Tour. When: Friday, February 16 from 5-9 pm Artist Talk & Tour: 6:15 pm Where: 967 Payne Ave. St. Paul, MN 55130 (on street parking) |
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New Patreon Launch a new way to dive in AND support my art practice |
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I'm so excited to announce the KICK OFF of my very own Patreon site. What is it? A platform for Creatives to build and engage community What is on offer? Become a Creativity Champion for $3 per month and receive Exclusive Content monthly. What is Exclusive Content? GAIN INSIGHTS into how I make my art with exclusive access to my works as they emerge LEARN ABOUT what’s inspiring me, how I stay motivated, and my reflections on my artistic successes and challenges CONNECT WITH me and other Creative Champions in our patron-only community through discussions, polls, and Q&A opportunities
Why is this important? Your subscription becomes a small steady stream of "business" income that the county requires for me to maintain my insurance, MA-EPD (Medical Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities). This insurance is critical for me to access disability services that help me stay in my home. Is there a free option? Yes! Some of my posts are free, others are "locked" until you join. How did you make it happen? Through many meetings over the past 5 months with a fabulous Artist Career Consultant through Springboard for the Arts. Thank you Kandace! Click below and see the 4 posts already published! |
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My New Studio F-O-K Studios 106 Water St. Studio 308B, St. Paul, MN |
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Martha's GRAND OPENING during the St. Paul Art Crawl |
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Save the Date April 12-14, 2024 |
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Press F-O-K Studios Blog: Feature Artist "Martha Bird and her Woven Willow Sculptures" posted: December 18, 2023 |
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Recap Lanesboro Arts Juried Sales Gallery Five of my pieces on display. |
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Recap Video tour: Fibers of Nature This video just in from the Virginia exhibit from last Spring 2023. There is some really beautiful work in this 12 minutes video. My 2 pieces can be found at minute 8:48. |
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Recap Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts |
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In case you missed the exhibit...
See the wonderful art in this catalog. My sculpture At the Helm is on pp. 70-71. |
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Recap Momentary Certainties Eagan Art House September 2023 |
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Title: Love Is For Everyone |
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Recap The Acreage at Osceloa September 2023 |
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I made this sweet little yarn basket at the annual Art at the Acreage event this past fall, just across the St. Croix River in Wisconsin. The free public event explores the intersection between nature and art on the 350 acres or prairie, pasture, and woodlands owned by the founder of Aveda (Horst Rechelbacher Foundation). Check it out next year! |
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Recap Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center x MSS September 2023 |
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It was fun creating and exhibiting metal casting pieces I made (in red) |
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Recap MN Artability Art Show & Sale October 2023 |
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I was thrilled to learn that my 5 panel comic sold. Each panel was 11x14 inches. |
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Recap Bus Shelter Beautification Franklin & Chicago Avenues October 2023 |
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Images of my art went up on the bus stop October 18, 2023 and will be visible until 2025! In addition, the Metropolitan Council invited me to not only be part of their Artist Roster, but also to apply to become DBE-Certified by the state (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) in order to receive more funding opportunities. That certification is specifically available to women, People of Color, and veterans as a way for the State to more readily access Under-Utilized Businesses. |
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Recap Winter Maker's Fair First Universalist Church December 2023 |
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I sold many of the Hapa Zome towels I made as well as some Brigid Crosses. |
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Recap 2023 Grants Complete ARC Microgrant ($2000 award) MSAB Creative Support for Individuals ($10,000 award) MRAC Arts Impact for Individuals ($5000 award) |
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3 funding highlights 1) a 200 page book of all my e-newsletters to date |
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2) a new Community page on my website (click below image) |
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3) I taught my first public basketry class (Fergus Falls) |
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Recap Vail Place Annual Report 2022 |
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There is a feature article about my work with the community on p. 3 of the annual report. |
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Thank you for sharing in my life! |
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