11/30/2005: "Wonderful exhibit!"

The Zimbabwe Artists Project is here in Juneau to honor World AIDS Day on December 1st. Part of the exhibit was set up today for a reception in the library where I work; the pieces are beautiful little narrative depictions of life in rural Eastern Zimbabwe.

I bought a small painting on a wooden tray titled "Making Beer" (perfect for me or what?). The paintings and quilted fabric pieces each have a short story that goes along with it (taped to the back). They also have photos of the artists including brief bios describing their lives and some of their hardships. The sale of their artwork helps these artists take care of their families and the prices are a real bargain. I'm sure the pieces will sell very easily here.

Friday is Juneau's December First Friday, our biggest First Friday of the year and just about every artist in town is involved in some kind of exhibit or another. I'm going to all them (including the Earth, Fire and Fibre XXV exhibit visiting the state museum from the Anchorage Museum of History and Art).

I also have my first interview set up for "Art in Alaska". The director of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council has asked me to write a short article about the new publication to include in their next newsletter. I know the magazine is going to be a lot of work but I'm excited and ready to get working on it. I also worked on another new painting tonight. It's amazing what you can get done when you can't sleep! I'll post some new photos soon.

Replies: 4 Comments

on Thursday, December 1st, elderberrystudio2000@yahoo.com">Jackie said

E: I was gonna ask you - would you allow former Alaskan artists to contribute to the magazine as well? I mean - I'm a native of Alaska, as well as an Alaskan Native, even though I'm not currently showing or selling any work in Alaska. :blush:
Anyway - your idea is cool - so is your mock-up. Rots o' ruck!

on Thursday, December 1st, Elise said

Hi Jackie!
Well, I will make exceptions for friends of course!

hee hee

Actually, I want to keep the scope to Alaskan themes and concerns...though the physical location of the artist of is less concern.

As an Alaskan Native and an artist, you might want to contribute an article to the publication on a topic such as the appropriation of cultural symbols by non-indigenous artists, for example. I do not want to shy away from controversial subject matter and I'd be interested in any ideas or suggestions that you might have and would love to have your participation at whatever level.

I have a feeling this will be a labor of love and it may be a short or long-term labor depending on how many other people want to jump in and help out!

Thanks a lot of your support and interest!

on Friday, December 2nd, elderberrystudio2000@yahoo.com">Jackie said

E:
Cool - thanks for being so open-minded! I would definitely envision any contributions I made as being from an Alaskan view. You know the old saying: "You can take the girl out of Alaska, but you can't take Alaska out of the girl."

on Friday, December 2nd, Elise said

I agree 100% Jackie!