Hello Musings About Mud, I wanted to say hello to you and thank
Carole for bringing me on to guest blog! My name is Damien Jones, and
I’m a ceramics artist based in Oakland. I wanted to team up with Carole
since she has a great blog on all things pottery and ceramics and share
my work and vision with you.
I’m currently in
the first week of my indiegogo campaign where I’m trying to raise
$30,000 so I can put a 15 foot public sculpture outside of the American
Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA.
I’d love
to share this campaign with you! Please check out my Fertilitree
sculpture I will be creating once funded and all of the seeds of the
Fertilitree available for a pledge. It would be great to have this
campaign shared amongst your peers if you see fit! Every little bit
counts!
Here’s the link! bit.ly/YzIxfO And here’s some more detail on my vision and my work as an artist if you feel like reading on…
FertiliTree – a 15′ Ceramic Sculpture for the American Museum of Ceramic Art, crowdfunded thru Indiegogo
Damien
Jones has developed a unique construction process for monumental
sculptures, which involves constructing large slab-formed hollow
highfired ceramic sections (3-4′ tall), then stacking them onsite and
filling them with concrete. This yields extremely durable public art
pieces, and can be used to create sculptures 50-100′ tall, at a fraction
of the cost of other public art methods. He’s completed a few public
monuments up to 10′ tall, but trying to land larger projects has been
fruitless, due to the low number of projects that come available each
year, and the extreme competition for them, with hundreds of artists
applying for each project.
After applying unsuccessfully for dozens of public art calls, he
decided to take matters into his own hands. When he found out about the
American Museum of Ceramic Art’s new facility in Pomona, he offerred to
create a monumental sculpture for them, and to crowdfund it thru
Indiegogo.com. Pomona is the Roman goddess of the orchard, of
fertility, so the sculpture will be called FertiliTree — a woman
growing from a tree trunk — as a
celebration of Femininity and Fertility. He’s attempting to raise $30K
for this project, and has developed a new line of Seeds, to acknowledge
donors for their contributions.
Once this project is complete
he hopes it will help open many more doors to creating larger public
works. Since this technique is so inexpensive, durable and versatile,
it has the potential to usher in far more art into our world than we
currently enjoy. He says “Public art makes a place feel loved and cared
for, transforming the
cities we live in from primarily functional, utilitarian spaces to
places of genuine beauty, inspiration, and joy, which our world could
sure use a lot more of!”
Have a look at his campaign, and
consider donating and spreading the word to support this wonderful and
ambitious project! Post it on your FB wall, if you like: bit.ly/YzIxfO
He’s set up a FB group to support and track the project, so please join that if you’re interested: http://www.facebook.com/groups/FertilitreeCampaign/
Also, if you become part of their campaign team you can win free
artwork, plus a $100 gift card from the company of your choice.
New exhibit offers women who have faced adversity a voice
TORONTO – February 7, 2013 –
Beginning today, and running through April 28, 2013 women whose lives
have been touched by violence are offered a place to tell their stories
their own ways in Transformation by Fire, a groundbreaking exhibition
originated by the Gardiner Museum in partnership with the Barbra
Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. The culmination of the last 10 years,
this landmark exhibit features clay as the medium for storytelling,
personal statements and video to provide real life examples of how to be
strong and grow in the face of adversity
.
Where: The Gardiner Museum
When: February 7, 2013 – running through April 28, 2013
Instructors Suzanne Thomson, art
therapist, and Susan Low-Beer, ceramic artist, invite you to transform
your experience through clay, while working through a series of guided
exercises to create your own clay sculptures. No art experience
necessary. Cost: $45.
One Billion Rising: February 14, 2013, 12:30 p.m.
In honour of the new landmark exhibit Transformation by Fire, be a part
of a special Flash Mob on the front steps of the Gardiner Museum, and
help us raise public awareness of violence against women. Partnering
with us to lead the dance is Nia Trainer, Martha Randall. Meet at
12:15p.m. in front of the museum, dance to begin at 12:30 p.m. Cost: Free!
Susan Low-Beer, Fragments of Self: February 26, 2013, 6:30-8 p.m.
Ceramic
Artist Susan Low-Beer discusses her work and her preoccupation with the
mind and body. Cost: $15 general admission, $10 for members.
International Women’s Day Dance Performance: March 8, 2013 6-8:30 p.m.
The
Gardiner Museum celebrates International Women’s Day with a free dance
performance by Performance Artist Julie Lassonde. Cost: Free!
Human Rights Watch: April 18, 2013, 12-1:30 p.m.
Too many women all over the world continue to live in unsafe and
insecure environments as a result of armed conflict, violent political
processes, and communal violence. Join us for an in-depth discussion
about sexual violence around the world. Cost: $25.
Body/Mind Expressive Arts Approach to Art Therapy: April 11, 2013, 6:30-8 p.m.
Art
Therapist Suzanne Thomson, and Director of Counseling Services for the
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Lynne Jenkins, will reflect on the
transformative powers of art therapy to create social change and the
unique attributes of clay as a tool to heal the complex effects of
trauma. Cost: $15 general admission, $10 for members.
About Transformation by Fire
Transformation by Fire is organized by the Gardiner Museum and the Barbra Schlifer Clinic.
It showcases clay sculptures by clients of the Barbra Schlifer clinic
who participated in art therapy workshops in the Gardiner Museum’s clay
studios, as well as work by Susan Low Beer, a Canadian ceramic artist
who worked with art therapist Susan Thomson and the women for the last
decade. The hastag for this exhibit is #TransformationByFire and #VAW
(Violence Against Women).
About the Gardiner Museum
The Gardiner Museum connects people,
art and ideas by offering an intimate look at one of the world’s oldest
and most universal art forms – ceramics. The Museum’s collections span
continents and time, giving a glimpse into the development of ceramic
processes, decoration and form. Year-round, the Museum mounts special
exhibitions, events, lectures and clay classes to complement its
permanent collection.
The
Museum also features a casual café that serves delicious fare, and the
Gardiner Shop, which specializes in artist-designed, artist-made
merchandise. More information about the museum and its exhibitions can
be found online at www.gardinermuseum.com. Members of the media can register to access the Gardiner Museum’s online media room (www.gardinermuseum.com/mediaroom) where they may download images and additional media materials. Follow us on Twitter @gardinermuseum.
About the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
The
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic provides free legal, counseling,
interpretation, information, and referral services for women who are
experiencing or have experienced violence including intimate partner
assault, incest/childhood sexual abuse, and adult sexual assault and
other forms of violence. In Barbra Schlifer’s memory, the Clinic is
committed to the belief that a response to the issue of violence against
women must address the individual needs of women, systemic change, and
social justice. The Clinic currently receives referrals from countless
community-based agencies, as well as medical, legal and criminal justice
professionals, religious organizations and individuals concerned about
violence against women, and more than 3,600 women were helped last year.
For more information please contact:
Lisa Raffaele PUNCH Canada o. 416.360.6522 x239 c. 647.896.0743 [email protected]
The Bray will be awarding ten $5,000 fellowships along with ten short-term summer scholarships in 2013!
Resident Applications due March 1, 2013.
“Being
able to provide this generous financial support to each and every
resident artist helps the Bray fulfill its mission and reinforces its
commitment to furthering ceramic art.”–Steven Young Lee, Resident Artist
Director
What defines a Bray residency and the reasons for doing one turn out to be as varied and unique as the individuals involved. Some artists come to develop a portfolio for graduate school, some use their residency as a transition from school to establishing their own studio and others see it as a chance to escape from daily routine and recharge their creative enthusiasm. For all artists, it is a period of time to focus intensely on their work, explore new ideas and techniques, and push their artwork to new levels.
Probably
the most important reason for coming to the Bray is the opportunity to
work within a community of artists actively creating art. Artists from
around the world come to work at the Bray, bringing with them a vast
range of experiences and diverse esthetics approaches.
New residents are chosen once a year in March by the Bray’s
director and two additional rotating jurors. The selections are based on
the quality of the work, its artistic merit, and the diversity and
experience of the prospective group. The Bray studio program is
minimally structured, with no formal critiques or syllabi unless
initiated by the artists. Resident artists are expected to be
self-motivated and help out with various tasks around the Bray.
Residency Opportunities
There are three general residency options at the Archie Bray Foundation–long-term
fellowship (1-2 years), short-term summer resident between July and
October (3-4 months) or short-term resident between October and June
(1-3 months). On a regular basis there are a total of 10 long-term
residents and 10 short-term summer residents.
Studio space is provided free to all residents.
Resident Artist expenses include the cost of materials and firing but
are subsidized by the Bray and offered at reduced prices. Residents are
responsible for their own housing and living expenses while in Helena,
but are given use of the community kitchen space in the Resident Center.
Each
fellowship awards $5,000 to support a long-term resident artist who
demonstrates exceptional merit and promise. The Fellows are expected to
embrace the Bray experience of community and creative exchange, and have
the opportunity to focus their attention to produce and exhibit a significant body of work during their residency.
Currently
at the Bray, there are six private individuals who have each committed
to providing fellowships for long-term residents. With the help of a
grant received in 2012 from the Windgate Charitable Foundation, four
more fellowships will be awarded, allowing all ten long-term residents
to receive fellowship support.
To apply for a fellowship check the appropriate box on your
Residency Application form and include a letter of intent stating you
artistic goals and interest in the Bray Fellowship program.
The Bill and Stirling Sage Scholarship fund
was established by Evelyn Sage in honor of her late husband Bill and
their son Stirling. The Bill and Stirling Sage Scholarship awards an
annual $800 scholarship to a promising young artist between the ages of
18 and 35.
The Eric Myhre Scholarship was established
in 2002 by Tootie Myhre in honor of her late husband. The award provides
a $750 scholarship to a summer resident artist of any age who
demonstrates exceptional merit and promise.
In 2012, the Windgate Summer Scholarships were established. Eight short-term summer residents will be awarded $700 to help cover expenses during their time at the Bray.
To apply for the scholarships include a letter of intent in
your application stating you artistic goals and interest in the Bray
resident program.
If
you have any questions about the Bray’s resident or fellowship
opportunities please contact Rachel Hicks, Director of Programs and
Communications at 406/443-3502 ext.13 or at [email protected].
For technical support the online application contact [email protected].
Your completed application must be received on or before
March 1, 2013.
The
Bray is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to the
enrichment of the ceramic arts, located at 2915 Country Club Ave. in
Helena, just 1/3 mile west of Spring Meadow Lake.
This project is
supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, and in part by the
Montana Cultural Trust, the Montana Arts Council, the Bray Business
Alliance and the friends and members of the Bray.
as a chance to escape from daily routine and recharge their creative enthusiasm. For all artists, it is a period of time to focus intensely on their work, explore new ideas and techniques, and push their artwork to new levels.
Studio space is provided free to all residents.
Currently
The Bill and Stirling Sage Scholarship fund