Support your local arts…

With all the uncertainty surrounding the futures of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), I have been thinking quite a bit about support for the arts. (It should be noted that the NEA and NEH combined are only about 0.003 percent of the federal budget; each received $148 million last year which is not very much.) In fact, according to news sources I consulted, it’s kind of like this: if you make $50, 000 a year, spending the equivalent of what our government spends on the NEA, the NEH, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting combined, it would be like spending less than $10. Holy cow, you say, our federal government spends that little on the arts? Yep.

So, that aside, let’s think locally. I have been thinking locally because I am involved with both the Dayton Visual Arts Center and the Dayton Society of Artists (as well as a few others …). I want both these organizations to be not only useful to artists and art lovers, but vibrant and growing. They serve different and very necessary purposes for the arts in our community.

Currently I have been working on growing sponsorships and memberships for Dayton Society of Artists. This art organization is entering its 79^th year and the last few years have seen new growth with an infusion of younger artists and consequently new ideas. However, it is a non-profit and non-profits can be a little financially tenuous. Thus, we are always seeking additional support.  

New members bring in new members and new ideas and new art and new life. So, those of you – including me of course – who are already DSA members need to seek out other artists who could benefit from our great programs and opportunities to exhibit, in addition to the creative comradery.

For those of you who love the arts and understand how a vibrant bevy of creatives contributes to lively communities, think about becoming a Friend of the Gallery or sponsoring an exhibition award. I am including in this post the information you need if you wish to befriend our gallery at 48 High Street in the St. Anne Historic district. Isn’t it beautiful?

SICK LEAVE AND WHY ARE YOU MAKING THIS?

I didn’t post last week because I was slammed with the gastro illness everyone I know has had. I was too sick to write. Totally recovered now I am ready with some musings on a question I am often asked, and was most recently asked, today.

“Why are you making that? Who is it for?” In my experience it seems many non-artists assume artists only make work when there is a commission. Otherwise, why else would you do it? It is outside their experience to create simply because one is compelled to do so.

Creating is what artists do. Creators is what we are. Making art is so identified with self that we “make” no matter what. Maybe we have a commission, maybe we don’t. We still create. And we will always create, just as long as it is physically possible. 

Have to add one last thing: these images of a bikepath created by Dutch artist Dan Roosegaarde. Located in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Van Gogh's birthplace, 600 meters of LED lights allude to his most famous painting, Starry Night. Can you see something like this in Dayton? 

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/11/17/364136732/in-a-dutch-town-a-glowing-bike-path-inspired-by-van-gogh

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING THERE…

Watching and reading the news these days I see large numbers of people coming together to express concern about immigration, ACA, climate change and the arts. If something is to change or grow, it’s important to show up. There is significance in participating. It’s important to “be there”.

That’s my thought for this week: being there. And this “being there” is local, it’s not controversial, and it takes us back to the topic of supporting, creating and participating in the arts.

I am a board member of the Dayton Society of Artists, formerly known as the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors. This group was founded by artists who realized the need for a supportive artistic community. It’s Dayton’s oldest art organization at 75+ years.

I joined the organization when I first moved to Dayton more than 30 years ago. As I moved away from painting to collage and mixed media I felt the group was no longer relevant for me. I dropped my membership.

During the 75^th anniversary celebration of the society, I rejoined. Not only that, I became a member of its board. Why, after all this time, did I reconsider?

The world has changed. The art world has changed. The boundaries between media are less strict and there is more crossover from one type of media to the next. Therefore, it no longer made sense for this particular organization to restrict its membership to painters and sculptors only. This is also the reason for the name change to Dayton Society of Artists.  

By inviting artists who work in all media we are also inviting fresh ideas, the possibility of collaboration, and contributing to a renewed excitement in the organization. If you have not experienced Dayton Society of Artists, you should, and I am extending that invitation. Join us. The more members of DSA the more good things, and if you are not already a member you should be!

COME TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE ARTS IN DAYTON. JOIN DSA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: http://daytondsps.org/ or visit us on Facebook. 

AN EXERCISE IN HOPE … AND DETERMINATION

Well, it’s been quite the week. We ushered in a new administration on Friday, we rallied for rights on Saturday, and we prayed for friendship on Sunday. I admit I am concerned about our country’s future. Public discourse is worrisome, facts appear to be on the endangered list, and arts and culture support is being threatened. Unlike the line from Hamilton, there seems to be   “one MORE thing to worry about”.

Friendship and faith were Sunday’s topics, and in my mind, they are arts. So today I want to talk less about visual art and more about the arts of friendship and compassion, the art of faith, and the art of taking action. I want to encourage my readers to practice friendship and compassion to others, especially to those who may not be easy to treat in a caring manner. The last few months have been replete with frightening rhetoric, uncaring remarks, and truly disturbing language.

I know from my own experience how damaging words can be; I understand that cruel talk can lead to cruel actions. It is absolutely NOT TRUE that words don’t hurt. They do. And this is why I am pleading to all creative people to practice the behavioral arts of friendship, kindness, compassion and understanding. Let it seep into your art, your words, your actions. We need these behavioral arts desperately. Be creative in showing the platinum content of your character in the face of negativity.

These are exercises in hope and determination. 

A DRAWING A DAY FOR A YEAR, WEEK THREE

Today is Martin Luther King Day so I am thinking about the man and all he stands for. And I am thinking as well about Congressman John Lewis, who worked by King’s side and is still working today on behalf of all of us. I was fortunate to see him speak earlier in the fall; it was unspeakably moving to listen to him tell of his walk across the Edmund Pettis bridge. He is a true Civil Rights Hero and icon.

These thoughts lead me to thoughts about the Harlem Renaissance and my favorite African-American artists of that era. I love Romare Bearden’s work and Jacob Lawrence and Benny Andrews. Such originality, great color, and wonderful storytelling. Their work continues to speak to us today, reminding us that we still have a lot to learn about each other.

Meanwhile, still drawing – every day –still working on the new projects – still thinking up new ideas!  

  Romare Bearden, The Block, 1971 (a favorite of mine)

  Jacob Lawrence, Brownstones, 1958

   Benny Andrews, Singing the Blues, Year?

A DRAWING A DAY FOR A YEAR, WEEK TWO

So far, so good. I have made drawings every day since January 1. Somehow making the pledge in public cyberspace seems to be cementing the promise to myself and I am enjoying the discipline. I hope anyone reading is also giving this a try. To draw something is to show your understanding and there simply is not enough drawing done in the course of a traditional education. One does not need to be a great artist to draw; one simply needs to draw.

Drawing is a way of thinking, it’s visual note taking; it helps us to remember. Drawing is communication. Drawing is emoting. Drawing is necessary and essential.

Let’s keep drawing.

“Drawing” on other subjects, my holiday break is ending. I return to teaching this week with a drawing and painting class at Kettering College, followed by a new semester of art history at Wright State. Time off is wonderful but routine is pretty good too and it’s time to fall back into the rhythm. I am also returning to work on some of my collage series: a new tapestry is underway, another in the Redefining Wall series is on my easel in its beginning stages, and I think I finally have a handle on how to create the new series called Half the Sky. And right now I am sitting here watching the ice flows on the river and flocks of birds enjoying the sunshine…

Hope your sun shines bright as well. 

A DRAWING A DAY FOR A YEAR

Lots to catch up on and apologies for my absence. Due to a very busy fall and winter I dropped out of the blogosphere. My husband and I downsized from our home of 31 years to an apartment on the Great Miami River, we delighted in sharing our lives with our first grandchild, the most delightful baby in the world, and we were both absorbed with our work. And I am not even going to mention the election…. no I am not! 2016 held both good and bad, but honestly, I am ready to see it go.

In thinking about my creative life I have been considering something I don’t do often enough, and that is drawing. I confess that I do not draw every day; I am consumed with collage making for commissions, rfps, series and exhibitions, but I do not draw like I should. SO, this year I intend to make at least one drawing a day for the entire year. I don’t care if it’s just a line on a napkin, I pledge to do it. Now that I have made my public vow, you readers are my witnesses, my subtle nags, my feet to the fire art loving friends. Here is the pledge:

FOR 365 DAYS IN THE YEAR 2017 I WILL MAKE AT LEAST ONE DRAWING A DAY.

I ask that you check in with me from time to time to keep me honest, and I will post drawings as I go along. I may need your gentle reminders that I have made this promise to myself.

NEXT: AN INVITATION, OR CHALLENGE IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT, TO YOU: JOIN ME IN THIS ENDEAVOR! START YOUR OWN DRAWING A DAY FOR A YEAR AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING.

Let’s become a community of communicators in the visual world. Draw!

Heartfelt wishes to all for your best year ever!