Northwest Florida Arts Association
Archive for February, 2010
Member Meeting
Feb 26th
Come join us at our next member meeting Saturday Feb. 27 at 10 AM at 42 Bagel in Shalimar. This is meet and greet event, hope as many as possible will come and join us.
Strange Bird Reception TOMORROW!
Feb 25th
“Strange Bird…A Look at Security” is a multimedia, community-oriented exhibit by artist Mercedes Rodgers. This installation will be a combination of sculpture, film, origami, painting and self-exploration. The “Strange Bird” reception & masquerade party will be held at Full Circle Gallery on February 26th, from 6-9 p.m., with the artist commentary at 7:00pm. A reception will follow in which participants may adorn bird masks and dress of their choosing (all birds of the imagination are of course welcomed) and be photographed in the artists’ human-size birdcage.
This show will feature a hand crocheted, over-sized birdcage, nest, collection of paintings and a video made by the artist that illustrates her process throughout this installation. Mercedes says of the show, “This work is about the many meanings of the bird as a symbol: its imagery and the range of ideas it can evoke. Using the bird as a metaphor I am allowing the viewer to look at their free, uninhibited-self in contrast to their tame, socialized-self and see where their cages lie. It is about how we view birds in nature as free and flying; verses how we see them in captivity as caged domesticated pets or property and how those thoughts of freedom and captivity translate into our own lives”.
The artist invites the public to Full Circle Gallery any time between February 5th and March 13th to contribute to the “Thousand Cranes” aspect of the installation. Participants will be asked to ponder what they believe is the real meaning of personal security as they learn to fold and encapsulate their thoughts within their origami cranes. Non-locals are also encouraged to participate in this installation and may email their contributions directly to the artist at fullcirclegallery@gmail.com, or leave a comment on Full Circle Gallery’s Facebook discussion board. The paper cranes will then be placed in the nest and be a part of the show on Feb 26th
The “Strange Bird: A Thousand Cranes Project” will also examine Japanese belief that if a person manages to fold 1000 paper cranes, they will be granted a wish for healing, a good life, a good marriage, or world peace. A thousand paper cranes is a powerful gesture of caring, devotion, and love. During the “Strange Bird: A Thousand Cranes Project”, Mercedes Rogers will to take the wishes, dreams, fears and desires of our community and fold them into 1000 cranes with the hope of bringing security and peace of mind to the collective. If you wish to participate in this project, please answer one or more of the following questions and submit your answer in person or by email. Mercedes will fold all contributions into paper cranes and place them side-by-side in the nest of the installation to be explored together Feb 26th.
Questions:
- What does the word security mean to you?
- Where does your sense of security stem from?
- What words do you associate with insecurity?
- What decisions have you made to try to bring security into your life?
- Have you ever made a decision with the intention of gaining a greater feeling of security, but later found that the decision actually caged you into a specific lifestyle and hampered your freedom?
- How can your needs for security be a burden?
- Can a person ever be truly free of needs?Is it possible to be secure and free at the same time?
The NWFLAA’s own Brandon Pence will be in attendance tomorrow night. Please come out and support your local art community at this amazing reception!
What I Listen to….
Feb 13th
I don’t usually post anything music, but since Brandon has been posting some of what inspires him, I thought I would post a few of the bands I like to listen to. This is a very small representation of what inspires me, but these are a few of my favorites.
Green Day – Know Your Enemy
Cher – Song for the Lonely
The Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You
Sixx: AM – Life is Beautiful
There’s no particular reason why I like or dislike a song or musical artist. Some, like the above, just feel right. Hope you enjoy….
Member News – Dick Jenkins
Feb 13th
Congratulations to NWFLAA member Dick Jenkins for winning 1st place in Bird Watching Category, in “Florida’s Wildlife Magazine”. Dick won 1st place with his submission of Egret on Cypress.
Egret on Cypress
Check it out:
Florida Wildlife Magazine
Artists Against Abuse
Feb 13th
Artists Against Abuse is a new artists union I fully support. Please read about this cause and if you believe in it, support it.
Artists Against Abuse(3A) is an artists union dedicated to help eradicate violence against women and children. Additionally, as a community, we provide support to each other through both life and artistic trials and successes.
We work to accomplish this mission through:
- Exhibitions and Events of the arts
- Co-operation and support of established agencies that work within the cause
- Providing information and/or access to information about abuse and its effects
- Providing community to those who have suffered abuse or witnessed its effects
“Together We Stand, and Together, We are Not Alone”
Learn more about 3A here:
Poster Contest Winner
Feb 12th
The winner of the poster contest has been chosen and will be announced next week. Thanks to all who sent submissions. For those of you who turned in artwork rather than digital files, you will be contacted next week to arrange the return of your work.
Member News – Jean Pugh
Feb 11th
Stop by and see NWFLAA member Jean Pugh at the following events.
Artist: Jean V. Pugh
Event: Cox Communications Black History Arts Festival, Pensacola, FL
Date: February 20, 2010
Location: Historical Belmont and DeVilliers St
Time: 10-4
Event: Cox Communications Black History Art Festival, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Date: February 27, 2010
Location: Emerald Coast Conference Center
Time: 10-4
Here are two of her pieces from her “God’s Ordinary Woman” series.
NWFLAA Art Book Club
Feb 11th
It’s time to pick the first book for the book club. The club is open to both members and non-members. The way it will work is we’ll decide on a book, take one month to read it, then discuss it online via skype chat.
I’ve chosen six books to choose from. Please pick one by commenting on this post, in the forum under books, or email me at
holly@nwflaa.com. The book with the most votes will be the first book read. The deadline to pick the first book is February 17th.
Book #1 – Private Lives of the Impressionists by Sue Roe. Paperback – 368pp Barnes & Noble – $14.39
Brief Synopsis – “This intimate, colorful, superbly researched account takes us into their (Manet, Monet, Pissaro, Cezanne, Renoir, Degas, etc.) homes and studios, and describes their unconventional, volatile and precarious lives, as well as the stories behind the paintings.”
Book #2 – The Joke’s Over by Ralph Steadman. Paperback – 416pp Barnes & Noble – $14.25
Brief Synopsis – “In the spring of 1970, artist Ralph Steadman went to America in search of work and found more than he bargained for when he met Hunter S. Thompson at the Kentucky Derby. Their remarkable collaboration resulted in the now legendary Gonzo Journalism, which would document the civil rights movement, the Nixon administration, Watergate, and the many bizarre and great events that shaped the second half of the twentieth century. When Thompson committed suicide in 2005, it was the end of a unique friendship filled with both betrayal and understanding. A rollicking, no-holds-barred memoir, The Joke’s Over is the definitive inside story of the Gonzo years.”
Book #3 – The Yellow House by Martin Gayford. Paperback – 352pp Barnes & Noble – $11.96
Brief Synopsis – “From October to December of 1888, Paul Gaugin shared a yellow house in the south of France with Vincent van Gogh. They were the odd couple of the art world – one calm, the other volatile – and the denouement of their living arrangement was explosive. The Yellow House is a singular biographical work, as dramatic and vibrant as the work of these brilliant artists.”
Book #4 – Dorthea Lange by Linda Gordon. Hardcover – 624pp Barnes & Noble – $28.00
Brief Synopsis – “Dorthea Lange’s photographs define how we remember the Depression generation; now an evocative biography defines her creative struggles and enduring legacy.”
Book #5 – Provenance by Laney Salsbury and Aly Sujo. Hardcover – 352pp Barnes & Noble – $21.56
Brief Synopsis – “A tautly paced investigation of one of the 20th century’s most audacious art fraud, which generated hundreds of forgeries – many of them still hanging in prominent museums and private collections today. Provenance reads like a well-plotted thriller, filled with unforgettable characters and told at a breakneck pace. But this is certainly not fiction; Provenance is meticulously researched and captivating account of one of the greatest cons in the history of art forgery.”
Book #6 – The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel. Hardcover – 496pp Barnes & Noble – $16.19
Brief Synopsis – “Focusing on the eleven-month period between D-Day and V-E Day, this fascinating account follows six Monuments Men (American and British museum directors, curators, art historians, etc.) and their impossible mission to save the world’s great art from the Nazis.”
What music is motivating me lately…
Feb 10th
Lately I have been on a weird mix of newer music and older music. Here are just a few songs keeping me motivated lately and why I love them.
The XX
One of the best bands in the last few years, The XX have a style all to their own. The best example of their music, to me, is the song “Crystallized” which features some amazingly well done harmony sections. The video is low budget but pretty damn cool as well.
Mew – Introducing Palace Players
This song is so good on so many levels. The opening being played in dischord before all coming together is done with amazing precision. The video is quite an original spectacle as well.
Vampire Weekend – Horchata
Don’t dismiss Vampire Weekend based on their name. This song is not only catchy and quite deep, it’s rather upbeat.
Broken Bells – The High Road
What happens when you combine the genius behind The Shins with Dangermouse? Broken Bells.
If you’re in the file sharing circles, you’ve been pimping this album to everyone you know for about a month and a half now. The rest of you have to wait until March for the whole album but here is the first track from it, The High Road.
Anti Flag – Seattle Was A Riot
This song was quite the anthem for the 15 year old me. I remember blistering my fingers so badly learning to play this on bass (and I still can!!!). Chock full of message and a catchy riff, what more do you want?!
Skold – Neverland
Tim Skold is one of the most talented musicians of this generation without a doubt. The driving force behind multiple Marilyn Manson albums (playing every single instrument himself, writing the songs, producing the album and then even doing the album artwork and website? Yeah, dude is talented) and several KMFDM projects (KMFDM’s Adios/Symbols, MDFMK, Skold Vs KMFDM, etc) he has finally entered the studio to record his first solo album in 13 years.
Skold… it’s good to have you back.
Here’s a track off of his first solo album. This one is called “Neverland.”
Jack Off Jill – Fear Of Dying
Let’s end this on something heavier. Jack Off Jill’s Fear of Dying. The lyrics to this song are very well crafted for a band commonly not known for their lyrics.
“I’m not afraid of standing still
I’m just afraid of being bored
I’m not afraid of speaking my mind
I’m just afraid of being ignored”
What artist can’t relate to that?
Concrete Sculpture Workshop
Feb 10th
Our first workshop, the concrete sculpture workshop, was a great success. The workshop took place on the last weekend of January, the 30th and 31st.
NWFLAA would like to thank instructor Marcy Eady for doing such a wonderful job.
