May 2010 Archives
C.C. is IAM
As a non-profit arts organization that does not sell any widgets, but offers inspiration and language to help people throughout the world have a way of seeing their role as artists and creative catalysts more clearly, we rely heavily on the generosity of people like C.C., who understand that the work we are doing matters.
Perhaps you have not received an inheritance recently (I never have!) But do you believe in the work we're doing? If so, please consider supporting the movement with a tax-deductible donation. IAM is a 501(c)3, and most of our budget comes from small gifts from people who appreciate the work we do.
Click here to make a donation.
From C.C. in Missouri:Click here to make a donation!
Greetings IAM Staff:
I first heard of IAM through a presentation that Makoto Fujimura gave at my undergraduate institution in 2007 - John Brown University. I was immediately captivated by this organization's ethos and particularly interested in IAM's catalytic work as an arts administration. I have followed IAM's work since then and as of late, was fortunate enough to participate in the Encounter weekend in 2010. This was an extraordinary even for me on many levels... What a joy! ...
I have written today to encourage your staff and for the good work that they are doing, as well as to support IAM financially. My grandmother recently passed away, and in her honor I would like to gift $1,000 to IAM. She was a bright woman of faith... (and) she was a constant encouragement to me in my artistic pursuits, and it is my hope to share that gift...
Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaker Launches ArtWay
ArtWay (www.artway.eu) is a new web-based service for congregations and individual believers to help them better understand the role of the visual arts in deepening faith, contributing to worship, and communicating truth and hope across cultures. Its formal launch is on Pentecost 2010.
Based in the Netherlands, ArtWay is the vision of ArtWay’s editor-in-chief, Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker, and her husband Albert Hengelaar, not only to help sustain the landmark work of her father, Hans Rookmaaker (1922-1977) in the area of art and faith, but also to carry on his vigorous support of practicing artists, encouraging them to attain excellence in their work while maturing spiritually. Laurel Gasque, author of Art and the Christian Mind: The Life and Work of H. R. Rookmaaker, and Sessional Lecturer in Theology and the Arts at Regent College, Vancouver, BC, Canada, is contributing editor.
Thoughtful engagement with art and culture
ArtWay offers a key to the rich, fascinating world of the visual arts that is sometimes hard to enter and to understand. The goal is to open Christians’ eyes to the beauty and meaning of art so that more people can enjoy the vast treasury of art both past and present and become discriminating viewers of what they see, from both an artistic and a cultural perspective. ArtWay thus encourages a thoughtful engagement with art and culture, rather than an uninformed rejection or uncritical embrace of them.
Although ArtWay will showcase the best work it can find of believing artists around the world, it will by no means deal only with art created by Christians. It is committed to an open-minded and respectful examination of art, no matter what tradition that art comes from. “Christian art,” ArtWay moreover believes, is not necessarily art that deals with explicit Christian themes but any art that is rooted in a Christian view of life. A landscape or a still life, an abstract work or a scream of doubt or protest—all such art can spring from Christian conviction.
Art beyond borders
In recent years the number of Christian artists who produce good work has grown substantially, and so has the number of insightful books and essays about art written by believers. This has often, however, focused entirely on an English-speaking enclave and has left unnoticed significant artwork and writing being done elsewhere in the world—except for a few artists who seem to be able to attract an Anglophone audience. A distinctive goal of ArtWay will be to cross some of these linguistic boundaries by bringing forward the work of lesser known artists, first of all from the European Union, but also from around the globe. ArtWay trusts that after it introduces people to “art beyond borders,” these works of art will be able to find their way into homes, schools, and churches in other cultures.
Information and resources
In addition to showcasing international artists of faith, ArtWay will also offer many other resources, including information about international arts organizations and study programs for artists, image-and-word Bible studies, travel tips, reviews, news items, practical networking, and a host of other features. At its core is a weekly Sunday newsletter with a visual meditation on a notable work of art. ArtWay aims in particular to give suggestions and develop materials about how to use images in liturgy, small-group gatherings, church bulletins, and building design.
John the Baptist of the heart
ArtWay will facilitate the sale of works of art by its featured artists, but it will not take any commission or remuneration for this. ArtWay eagerly anticipates not only exchanges between artists and potential patrons, but also—by means of its information and resources—a vigorous exchange of views on the state of the arts from a Christian perspective.
Jacques Maritain called art “the John the Baptist of the heart, preparing its affections for Christ.” As both Scripture and the history of Christianity show, God can use art to convey his truth, love, and grace implicitly, multivalently, and powerfully across diverse cultures and circumstances. This is what ArtWay stands for and aims to encourage.
Website: www.artway.eu
To learn more, email Laurel Gasque or Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker.
You can also mail us for images of artworks and a visual meditation.
ArtWay, Sloetmarke 33, 8016 CJ Zwolle, The Netherlands.
Laurel Gasque: laurel@artway.eu
Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker: marleen@artway.eu
Registration Extended to June 17 for ArtPrize 2010
Venues say it is critical to have the flexibility to keep reaching out to artists during June.
This new increase in demand is great for artists, but stressful for venues. So, ArtPrize changed the deadline. Below is the new timeline for registration and matching.
- The new deadline for artist registration is June 17, 2010
- Artists have three more weeks to register
- The matching period will still begin on artprize.org June 1
- The matching period will still end Thursday, July 1
- Between June 17 (end of registration) and July 1 (end of matching) there will be two weeks for artists and venues to wrap up their agreements and secure each other on artprize.org
Register now for ArtPrize 2010
ARTIST REGISTRATION
April 19 - June 17 (5:00PM EDT)
ARTPRIZE 2010
September 22 - October 10
Poetic Justice World Tour Launching Soon
Are you getting excited?
I can not actually believe it, in about 26 days, I will begin my around the world adventure. First stop is Guatemala. I will be volunteering in Antigua, a small city right outside of Guatemala City. I will be there for two weeks. Then, I decided that I need to rest a bit before I head over to Peru for over a month of volunteering. Planning a trip around the world, on top of having a job and hosting and planning poetry events, is tiring. I will be in Costa Rica for a week, just hosteling it, visiting their hot springs and perhaps making it over to Limon, where all of the black people reside. I will be there from June 20th-28th if anyone wants to come and visit.How much money have you raised so far?
I'm glad you asked. With all of your money and my money, I have about $21,500 and the trip costs $26,500. Just another $5000 to go. GIVE GIVE GIVE!!! Mail Checks to: Poetic Justice Tour, P.O. Box 174, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (Make checks payable to “ALL SOULS” and write poetic justice in the memo line. Donate Online or mail checks ASAP so that I can get them before I leave. You CAN donate via mail or online while I am gone, but for me sooner is better than later. No donation is too large or small. You can donate as little as $5 or be a friend of the tour with a $150 ore more donation. I even have a recession special which allows you to sign up for recurring payments online.
I had my last poetry jam and fundraiser on April 30th, which was fun. I was able to raise about $1,000 plus another $500 from merchandise I auctioned off that was donated by local businesses.
Whats going through your mind?
I don't know what to expect, so I am excited but surprised that it has all come together and its so near. I am SOOOO ready to rock n roll. I have been planning this for what seems like forever (since September of 2009). I still need to sell my car and buy a few items, but that's basically it. I don't think my Spanish has gotten any better in the last month. I have been slacking, but hopefully I can get back into the swing before I leave.
Speaking of which (or more like changing the subject), my coworkers threw me a party and as game we had to identify the flags of all the countries I am visiting. I only got 8, so clearly I need to get it together, but hopefully that will not be a test at customs. “Excuse me Ms. Walden, can you identify our flag in a line up?? Me: "Uhhhhhhhhh." “Ms. consider yourself deported.....”
How many shots does it take to travel the world?
A whopping 10 at the bargain price of $700 (insurance doesn't cover most shots, they would rather me return with a disease. Health care.... go figure). Most people who are shot 10 times die (that's a joke), but I am just immunized. I also have to take Malaria pills for pretty much my whole trip, but they are relatively inexpensive.
What places are you most looking forward to visiting?
Peru, because it has good food (the gastronomic capital of the world), it has beaches and lush peeks (Machu Picchu) and there are a number of social issues to write about (human trafficking and women rights). I just finished reading this book (Not for Sale) on human trafficking, modern day slavery and the global sex trade. Yes slavery, over 27 million people are trapped in slavery all over the world. So, I've kind of decided that I want to be an abolitionist when I grow up. During this trip, I hope to write poetry that tells the stories of women and highlight the voices of the vulnerable around the world. Here is one about young girls in forced into the sex trade entitled "Damaged Goods and Stolen Worth"
On a lighter note....I am really looking forward to my time in South Africa because they have good wine, a dynamic spoken word scene and I will be volunteering at an art center there. And... I've heard it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
How can we contact you while you are gone?
I will have Skype on my computer (you should get it too). My skype login is real simple: ebony.walden and my skype number is +(1)646-328-1090 # 827. For those of you who are technologically challenged, skype allows you to make free calls through your computer. By June, I will have it set up and you will be able to call anytime and even leave messages.You can also email me. I will be sending monthly email updates and will blog a few times a week. You can sign up for the blog here.
Do you have a packing list?
Yes and its rather long, but its all gonna fit in my backpack and one carry-on.
Clothes:Northface convertible/quick drying pants,another pair of lightweight or quick drying pants, a pair of jeans and sweatpants, a dress and a skirt, a fleece and a rain jacket, 2 long sleeved shirts (one quick drying), 2 short sleeve and 2 tanks, sleep pants and t-shirt, one pair of hiking shoes, one pair of sport scandals and flip flops, 3 bras & a sports bra, 5 pairs of socks (one pair of hiking socks), 5 pairs of underwear (1 pairs of special quick drying), a swimsuit, 1 quick dry towel and washcloth, a waterproof watch, sunglasses and sunglass leash, a sun hat, a money belt, shoulder bag and my red scarf for multifunctionality (is that a word?)
Electronics: Toshiba netbook (this baby is very cute and 2.5 lbs), Ipod Nano, Cannon Powershot, Flip camcorder, external hardrive, one flash drive and universal cord kit.
Toiletries: (all on 3oz bottles of course) Small first aide kit with ointment, bandages and everyday medicine, malaria pills, toothpaste & brush, floss, soap, lotion, lip balm, deodorant, hand-held mirror, q-tips, sunscreen, razor and blades, hand sanitizer, hair stuff & clips, shampoo & conditioner, feminine products, tweezers, nail clippers, insect spray, iodine drops...etc. etc.
Documents: Passport and extra photos, license, credit cards (and photocopies of each), insurance policy, yellow Immunization card, poetry lessons, volunteer program booklets, flight itinerary, emergency contact information, proof of sufficient funds (you need this to get int many countries), 1-2 Servas host list booklets, phone card, cell phone (I wont use it, but in most countries you can buy a sim card for cheap and get free incoming calls), bible, a book to read (Probably Eat, Pray, Love), journal & pens, Spanish phrasebook & dictionary and a Latin America Guidebook.
Other: Water bottle, luggage locks, safety pins, earplugs and eye mask, zip lock bags, duck tape (can leave on an around the world trip without it), scissors, a small flashlight, sleep sheet, vitamins for kids (to give out), extra bag, inflatable globe, earrings, some make up and a necklace. Oh, I'll also bring along pics of my family.
I am sure I have forgotten something but forgive me (and make some suggestions if you like). A few months ago, I was telling somebody about my trip. When I told this person it was about 9 months... she said, "You are giving birth." That what I feel like this trip is about. Giving birth to a new element of me. What I expect most from this trip....is to see God and to be changed. I want to inhale the beauty and brokenness of this world and exhale poetry.
Call for Submissions: "Salt of the Earth - The Christian Seasons Calendar 2010/2011"
Call for Submissions
Artists are invited to participate in the upcoming issue of "Salt of the Earth - The Christian Seasons Calendar for 2010/2011". This unique calendar that follows the seven distinctive seasons of the Christian year is distributed worldwide. To view a sample of the current Christian Seasons Calendar visit www.thechristiancalendar.com.
Interested artists are encouraged to offer artwork that interprets scripture readings within the Christian year (a list of the weekly scripture readings used in Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary can be found at http://lectionary.library.
If you would like to participate in this project please reply by email to edsearcy@shaw.ca with no more than ten images of your work. Deadline for submission is Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Selected artists will be contacted by June 22, 2010 and asked to forward high definition images (300 dpi or better) of their art for inclusion in the calendar.
Artists will receive five complimentary copies of the calendar and will be paid $300 CAD for each image used. Artists retain reproduction rights to their art. The fee is paid for use of an image in this year's calendar, and portions of the image may be used in promotion of the calendar in print or on the web site.
For more information about the calendar and the submission process email inquiries to edsearcy@shaw.ca.
A Beginner's Guide to Collecting Art
Collecting their thoughts
Sunday May 9, 2010 1:21 PM By Emily Hulme
Whether you have a newfound love of art or are merely just fed up with the empty walls in your apartment, starting an art collection from scratch can be dizzying.
But there’s no wrong way to collect art. We spoke with insiders from the New York art scene to get tips on how to get started.
SEE ART
The best way to prep for collecting is to simply see as much art as you can and take note of what you like.
Auction previews and art fairs are great places for novices to explore because both offer a wide variety of work in one place. You also get to meet a lot of the dealers and gallerists in person.
“You sort of see the people,” said Kirsten Bengtson, sales director at Steven Kasher Gallery in Chelsea. “[You can see] if they’re people that you feel like you could work with directly.”
DON’T BE INTIMIDATED
The snooty gallerist guarding her white-box fortress of art is a common cliche, but, in reality, galleries want you to buy art.
“It’s very exciting even for an established gallery and especially for a younger gallery to find a new collector whose name is not spread all over the art world,” said Paul Morris, of the annual Armory art fair.
MAKE A BUDGET
“There are galleries at every price point,” said art adviser Pearl Albino. And generally newer galleries will offer more affordable works.
But “affordable” can often mean it costs multiple thousands of dollars.
To find works priced in the hundreds, look for small-batch prints. Or you could try your luck at a no-reserve auction.
Ginette Lospinoso of Christie’s said that pieces at the auction house’s Interiors sale may go for $200.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Beyond aesthetics, before you buy a piece, you should consider the artist’s reputation and career trajectory.
“You should ask yourself, ‘Have they been in group shows? Who are their peers? [What movement] do curators think they’re a part of?’” Morris said.
These facts can help you pursue works that stand to increase in value and enhance your reputation as a collector to watch.
CONSIDER A THEME
New York’s gallery scene is enormous. In Chelsea alone there are more then 100 galleries between 22nd and 26th Streets. Figuring out what appeals to you among that many options can overwhelm you. One one way to around this is to collect by theme, Bengtson said.
Jen Bekman, of 20x200 gallery, agreed. “Other things that you’re interested in — an animal, your favorite sport, a movie or a book, or even your favorite color — can serve as entry points for looking at work,” she said. “Start with the things you know and love.”
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
“If you feel like you’re out of the loop, maybe you need to find ways of getting into the loop,” Morris said.
This includes forging personal connections in the community, whether it’s by befriending the artists at gallery openings or attending open studio tours.
PLEASE YOURSELF
In the end, those who get the most reward out of collecting are truly passionate about it. So feel free to disregard any or all of this advice.
As Bekman said, “Buy art because you love it and want to live with it.”
What is the Quest(ion) of Success?
Click here to download a video of Makoto Fujimura's Encounter 10 presentation, "What is the Quest(ion) of Success?"Image by Beth Altrogge
Rob Mathes & Michael O'Siadhail Live! This Saturday
A Cycle of Ballads & Psalms
For Singers, Rhythm Section & Orchestra
by Rob Mathes with original lyrics by Micheal O'Siadhail
Saturday, May 1, 2010, 8:00 P.M.
Christ Church Greenwich
24 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich
Tickets: $35 General Admission, $15 Students, $150 Preferred Seating
(Preferred Seating includes VIP Party prior to concert at Tomes-Higgins House and Rob Mathes CD)
Tickets available online at: www.RobMathes.com
or at The Music Source in Old Greenwich 203-698-0444
A classical/pop collaboration between one of the NY Metro Area's most sought-after arrangers and composers, Greenwich's own Grammy and Emmy nominated ROB MATHES, and world renowned Irish poet MICHEAL O'SIADHAIL. Featuring Christ Church Greenwich choirs, David Fink on bass, Ben Whittman on drums, singers James Williams and Laila Biali, and The Knights orchestra from Brooklyn, made up of recent Julliard graduates.
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Presented by Conversations on Courage & Faith: Providing environments, lectures, artistic performances & spiritual experiences that will inspire & equip people to live Christianly in a postmodern world. Future Conversations on Courage & Faith events include: June 4 Archbishop Desmond Tutu - talk & luncheon
The Blog
The IAM Global blog discusses news and updates for the entire International Arts Movement.