Beneath the Surface

 

Quilts, Inc. has posted the online version of the Beneath the Surface exhibit, curated by Leslie Jenison and Jamie Fingal. Here's the link:

http://www.quilts.com/fqf10/enVivo/SpecialExhibits/Beneath/

And here are some more photos and information about the exhibit on the curator' blogs. 

http://dinnerateightartists.blogspot.com/

Other pictures on Leslie's blog http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/ and Jamie's blog http://jamiefingaldesigns.blogspot.com/

Something New. Something Old.

A CREATIVE STUDY:  PETROGLYPHS, POTTERY & PREHISTORY
JUNE 4-6 

(optional Fri. night potluck)

Many artists have found inspiration in prehistoric and archetypal imagery from caves, cliffs and ancient ceramics. This is the first of a series of “creative study” workshops that will illuminate how you as an artist can take inspiration from the images and imagination of the past, while transforming the images into something uniquely your own. This workshop models a time-proven creative study process (based on that developed at Learning About Learning Educational Foundation and the Paul Baker Theatre)  that can be adapted to many inspirational sources.

We’ll go from collection through synthesis to creating, and explore textile and mixed media techniques that relate to the aesthetic and philosophical qualities and intent of the earliest art-makers. Use handmade brushes as tools, make pigmented paints with ashes, earth, rust and minerals. Learn to use two different techniques for transfering photos and sketches to fabric using a home printer/copier-- directly printing on fabric you  prepare with Bubble Jet Set and doing a transfer print with polyester film and gel medium.

We'll also have a chance to drum, share poetry and stories, and share a meal under the moon and stars. And, of course,  enjoy the beautiful early summer weather in the Texas Hill Country. We've added a sleeping porch to the house, so if you wish, you can even sleep (sort of) under the stars, though the airconditioned comfort of the bedrooms are also available. Only one $30 private room remains, otherwise, for $15 you can sleep in the studio, or for free on the porch or air mattress. Remember to bring swim suits and towels for the pool and hot tub! The workshop fee is $160 whether you stay two nights or one!

Art and Leadership: Bamberger's Selah

 

Photo from Bamberger Ranch website.

Art and leadership. Leadership through art. Artful leadership. Of my out-of-the-studio hats, I'm wearing one of them the next three days, teaching with a group of colleagues. The students are Central American highschoolers who are attending a two week leadership symposium, the first week in Washington, D.C; the second week here in Texas. We are spending the next three days together at Selah, the ranch/ecology and environmental center founded by David Bamburger.

David and his work was featured on NPR a couple of days ago, you can hear more about the ranch here. And check out the website, here.

As to our activities, I'll be working with my colleagues from Alamo College's International Program -- Julia Jarrell, Daniel Gonzalez and others (including the "hosts" for the meals, logistics and amenities, the ILS program participants who are 20 young professionals and community organizers from South America). We will spend some of our time touring the ranch (hopefully the rain will stop!) and part of the time in creative arts activities.  San Antonio highshool students will host the Central Americans in their homes over the weekend and take them to their highschools on Monday. Next Tuesday we'll go to Say Si, a wonderful arts education and pre-professional training center for young artists, and continue working to create a multimedia presentation for the hosts, community leaders and peers. The Leadership participants will be exploring the roles, voices and actions that their world needs in the future. Here's a excerpt from our activity outline:

ROUND ROBIN of three activities with group divided into three teams, ILS participants sign up to work with one activity, being trained to help and then taking over some of the leadership with subsequent groups. Each activity takes about 50 minutes  including sharing at the end of each. Facilitators and staff will take photos as the activities are done and at the end, take pictures of each of the Leadership student participants with their products, as time allows.  I will also have a flip video camera and try to take some short action videos clips, too.. All our staff who have cameras need to bring them.

A. Leaders of the Future Badges

Badge making in pairs. Students and participants interview each other about their concerns, hopes and dreams for their future and the the future of the planet. What kind of important roles and careers and viewpoints and values are needed (environmentalist, activist, balancer, peacemaker, visionary, inventor, etc) The partners learn a bit about each other in the present, too. Then make colorful badges with magazine pictures and words (ENGLISH LABELS ON LABELS.doc attached. Please reproduce about 10 copies per page on colored paper if possible. Translate or do similar labels in Spanish and make copies of those too. Cut apart ahead of time if someone has time to do so, other wise we can do at the ranch)

B. Voices from the Future Masks

Students will think about who could be the “spokespersons” of the future – animals, plants, natural phenomena (like the earth or the ocean or reefs) and people. They will design and make strong graphic masks with paper bags, black construction paper, newspaper and white paper cutouts. If time, students will in small groups do some improvisation of what these voices from the future will say. Possibly make cartoon bubbles that go with the masks.

C. Recipes, Remedies and Cures

Starting with some brainstorming, create skits and write about the problems they see that must be solved to have a peaceful, sustainable, healthy future. Students will write, individually, then adding in groups, about the recipes, remedies and cures for these current ails. They will be in the form of recipes, etc. (ex. Recipe for Safe Cities: add  3 parts healthy sustainable infrastructure to 2 parts excellent schools, mix well with imagination, invention and technology. Do not forget to add concern, equality and love for one’s neighbors. Mix well, Let season. Do not put in too large a pan. Smaller batches may be more successful.) Begin work to make these into small group skits that could be part of presentations.

Dinner

Star Party if weather permits

Continue nature program with Bamberger staff and ILS

Intermission: Altar Show Opens

The Celebration Circle silent auction of altars created by local artists goes up today at Bijou Theatre at Crossroads Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.. "The Sacred Art of Altars; One People, Many Paths" is the sixth annual such fundraiser for Celebration Circle, an organization near to my heart. When we lived in the city, we were weekly circling on Sunday morning with a wonderful spiritual/artistic community. Now I continue to participate as I can, and that includes contributing to this event.

Welcome to the Celebration Circle!

"We are an open, inclusive, inter-faith community with a creative approach to spirituality. We learn from many faith traditions as we celebrate the sacred together through uplifting music, meditation, movement, discussion, art, poetry and laughter."

Silent auction bidding is open all month with the exhibit on display free inside the lobby during theater hours, Sept. 1- Sept. 30. A closing reception and auction closing, with a special screenin gof "Happy-Go-Lucky," Mike Leigh's film will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 6 pm. the closing reception and film costs $15 in advance (see the CC website for details) or $20 at the door that evening.

Here's a link to last year's Sacred Altar exhibit, beautifully photographed by Gary O. Smith. This year's postcard above features several of those altars -- (l to r, top to bottom) Jane Appleby,M.D., Joan Frederick, Sheila Fitzpatrick, Laurie Brainerd, Susie Monday, Edward Sagebiel, Miriam Moor, and Cindy Palmer.

Just a few artists who are participating this year: Pam Ameduri. Bernice Appelin-Williams, Sue Cooke, Alejandra Diaz-Berrios, Lisa Kerpoe, Jai Medina, Zet Baer, Alice Fermin, Martha Prentiss, Regina Sanders, Thom Ricks, Sharon Shelton-Colangelo, Sarah Burke, Laurel Gibson, Martha Grant and many more -- 55 in all.

Speaking of Celebration Circle and like events, our Spiritual Director Rudolf Harst will be among those performing at a special memorial concert on Sept. 11 at the Mennonite Church.

RUBY SINGS RUMI
A 13TH CENTURY SUFI MYSTIC FINDS EXPRESSION
THROUGH CONTEMPORARY SONG  

September 11, 2009, 7:30 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.)
“An Evening of Remembrance, Transformation and Beauty”at
peaceCenter at the Mennonite Church of San Antonio
1443 S. St. Mary's Street
San Antonio, TX  78210

This evening is a remembrance of the events of 9/11 and acknowledgement of the Obama Administration’s launch of National Day of Service.  Ruby (Erika Luckett and Lisa Ferraro) is the featured artist; they will be joined by Rudolf Harst, singer and Spiritual Director of the Celebration Circle of San Antonio.  This event is co-sponsored by Celebration Circle, peaceCENTER and Urban Campfires.

For information/reservations: (210) 533-6767 or  circle@celebrationcircle.org  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Suggested donation: $15