Yesterday was the opening for John Hanna’s memorial retrospective at SPA. Sue Higby knocked herself out to put it together in a few days time, miraculously getting a show of over 100 exhibitors (SPA’s annual Members Show) out the door, patching and painting the walls, and arranging publicity in every paper in central Vermont. There were almost 250 people at the reception, with projected images of John’s life as a sculptor put together by Marge Powers (who also provided some awesome chicken liver pate!). It is at times like this that I appreciate that SPA is located in Barre, with its rich history of serious artists and artisans. The building was alive with people from all over the world who came to Barre to carve stone. Real people who work with their hands and hearts. It was an experience both rich and humbling.I’ve been talking with Marc Awodey about starting an online website or blog about art in Vermont, focusing particularly on reviews, exhibits, and miscellaneous art stuff (like maybe a classified section for selling materials and services). We think there’s not enough coverage of visual arts events and talk about issues and ideas for visual artists. I had the interesting experience of looking for online images of the work of a very prolific and well-known Vermont artist who doesn’t have a website and there was practically nothing out there. We could have links to the blogs and websites that do exist for Vermont artists and also to galleries and other exhibition venues.
As I write this, I realize the big question of how to pay for it has not been addressed. I already do maintenance for two websites (in addition to my own and this blog) without compensation. I am doing a lot of grant-and-proposal writing for a several projects that I will share with you at some point. Just yesterday I got a part-time job possibility assisting an elderly woman that may help. I also got a rejection from the Roswell A-I-R program yesterday. Somehow it will all shake down.
Oh, almost forgot! I had reason to take some photos of art in my house the other day and thought I’d share them here, as a funny follow-up to the post about Mark Waskow’s collection. I have said that there are two kinds of artists – those who have only their own art on their walls and those who also have other artists represented. I am one of the latter. Books and art are everywhere. Perhaps there is even a bit of too-muchness...
3 comments:
Well, I am enjoying following your blog wherever it goes. I also had such gratitude for SPA yesterday in its gathering in honor of John, one of our advisors and supporters from the very beginning more than 10 years ago. Hurrah for SPA!
It's neat to see other artist's collections. I've only just gotten to a point where I can finally start getting other artist's work and its been really exciting for me. So thanks for showing us what you keep around.
I think your idea about the web project sounds great but -wow- what an undertaking to simply gather all of the correct information. Sounds like fun but also a full time (+) job. But keep us posted. I'd like to see where the idea goes.
Thanks, Beth. That's only a part of our stuff. It goes on and on. Sometimes I wish I lived in a monkish cell...
As far as the online zine is concerned, we met yesterday and I think this is actually going to happen. Even without money. After all, so much of what we do never generates money, so we are used to it. As long as it just costs us time, it may be supportable. I'm off to DC with my son for four days, but will put up more information as it becomes more real.
Post a Comment