HUNGRY ARTISTS

No, this is not a typo; I am not channeling Kafka. I am referring to an upcoming one night pop-up show with an artistic and political theme. This exhibition, called “Feed the Adjuncts”, has been organized by artist and adjunct professor Colleen Kelsey, who is fast becoming known in the Dayton area for her organizational expertise putting together pop-up exhibits, as well as her advocacy for those of us who maintain not only a full-time art studio but teach as well.

“Feed the Adjuncts” was conceived to call attention to all those hard-working part time instructors who devote countless hours and endless energy to their teaching duties, while most of the time receiving what can often feel like “negative” compensation, at least in terms of dollars and might I add, respect. Now I know that this is not always the case, but there are numerous studies that reveal the often large percentage of adjunct instructors many universities and specialty schools employ, as well as their pay and lack of benefits. The thing is, not only is this unfair to those worker bees, it is also a disservice to the students they teach, many of whom have no idea that many of their teachers are not full faculty members.

I teach because I enjoy doing so and have never been in the position of having to teach at multiple schools just to support myself (although I do teach at multiple schools). That said, I also realize that I am not being paid what I am worth, especially given the number of hours I devote to my teaching practice. I don’t resent the time itself, and I totally love converting students from arts unaware to devotees. However, in practical terms, because of my part-time status and pay, I should be paying close attention to the amount of time I spend on teaching duties. Hard to do I admit.

So, Colleen has conceived of this exhibit to highlight the hungry months of the adjunct artist – summer- when most are not teaching and not receiving a paycheck. The hope is that some of you might visit this show and perhaps make a purchase. I want to emphasize that the artists participating are skilled in a variety of media and that if you come you will experience a visual feast.

“Feed the Adjuncts” will take place on Friday, May 20 from 6-10 pm at Divisible Studios in the Front Street complex, 1001 E 2^nd Street, Building 100, 2^nd floor, downtown Dayton. Enter through the door marked B-C.

Participating Artists: Nicholaus Arnold, Wesley Berg, Matthew Burgy, Clara Coleman, Leesa Haapapuro, Sara Janowski, Ashley Jude Jonas, Colleen Kelsey, Jean Koeller, James Luckett, Edmund Merricle, Marsha Pippenger, Francis Schanberger, Frank Travers

“Feed the Adjuncts” is planned in collaboration with Wesley Berg Studios. This pop-up exhibition space is donated by artist and Divisible Gallery Director Jeff Cortland Jones.

If you want more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1028202993918647/

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

DETAIL, THE LIGHT OVERCOMES, PAPIER COLLE ON CANVAS

SERVING THE WORK

While reading the editorial page of the Friday, April 29 issue of The Dayton Daily News, the headline of David Brooks’ column caught my eye. It referenced Ernest Hemingway. I started reading.

The Hemingway references accurately captured the man as I understand him but what really struck me was Mr. Brooks’ reference to a comment he credited to Dorothy Sayers. She once wrote that while it might be politically correct to state that one does one’s work to serve the community (I am paraphrasing), that is actually a falsehood. Her argument is that if you do any type of work to serve the community, that work becomes untrue, because in essence you are doing it to seek approval. Sayers notes that if you concentrate on serving the work rather than the community, you end up serving the community even more.

The self-consciousness disappears when you do this. Concentrate on the work fully and completely and to the best of your ability, and by doing so, you are serving the larger community. It becomes truly, honest work. Don’t make work simply to accumulate accolades.

Thank you Mr. Brooks for bringing this to my attention, and thank you Ms. Sayers for your perceptive observation.

I plan to keep this in mind as I go to the studio. I will dispense with “how am I doing” and simply get on, serving the work.