Artists' Pipeline #57 - August 2010

The Posters by three Minnesota artists with disabilities highlight the Pathways to Employment “Yes I Can Work” project. Works by Faye Buffington, Minneapolis; Thomas J. Frank, Northfield; and William Meeks, Saint Louis Park, were printed to highlight the workplace skills of young people with disabilities in a campaign aimed at employers, social service providers and the general public. Minneapolis graphic artist William Homan created the design uniting the posters, which will be available at State Fair booths of the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the State Council on Disability.

The new head of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman, is coming to Minnesota at the request of Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Saint Paul) to talk about economic development through the arts. A Town Hall Meeting will be heldWednesday, August 25, 2:30-3:30 PM at Steppingstone Theatre, 55 Victoria Street North, Saint Paul. RSVP by Friday, August 20, at mccollumartsevent@mail.hous.gov or 651-224-9191 (McCollum's office). Parking is available at William Mitchell’s overflow lot at the corner of Grotto and Summit (NOT in Mitchell's regular lot), on the street parking in surrounding blocks, or at the ramp on Victoria and Grand near Cafe Latte.

On August 7 the U.S. Senate confirmed Broadway producer Landesman as NEA chair and former Congressman Jim Leach as National Endowment for the Humanities chair. Landesman said, “Art is essential to the civic, economic and cultural vitality of our nation. It reflects who we are and what we stand for -- freedom of expression, imagination and vision. I am eager to work with our many partners to bring quality arts programs to neighborhoods and communities across the country."

When the House and Senate return to work after Labor Day, they will resume work on finishing the appropriations process for FY 2010.  Currently, the House has approved NEA funding at $170 million, while the Senate Appropriations Committee bill is at $161.3 million. Both funding levels represent increases above the current NEA budget, but need to be reconciled and a final compromise bill signed into law by President Obama this fall.

Mari Newman

An artwork by Mari Newman of Minneapolis graces the cover of the 2011 APH Insights Calendar of the American Printing House for the Blind. Newman’s “House on Wheels,” a mixed media work of a colorfully decorated  house on wheels, is the November artwork as well as the cover for the calendar, which uses large print and Braille. Art was selected from hundreds of entries by artists with vision loss of all ages, reflecting APH’s mission to “promote the independence of blind persons.” Each calendar (catalog # 5-18971-11) is $7.50 plus shipping. To order, sell copies as a fund-raiser, or for more information, call 800-223-1839 or go to American Printing House for the Blind. To learn how to enter the annual competition, call ext. 357.

Carei Thomas

Minnesota composer, pianist and improviser Carei Thomas has published a book, Compositions and Concepts, covering more than 40 years of work. It includes over 170 original songs, explanations of his methodologies, philosophy, graphic compositions, synth-choral works and studies. The 392-page large-format volume is available for $78 from Cajole Productions, Website: Carei F. Thomas. (ISBN:  978-0-615-36180-2).

Thomas’s work in the Twin Cities has been recognized through awards, commissions and residencies. He has founded and co-founded musical ensembles playing diverse works and has produced a variety of interdisciplinary events for the community.

In an essay entitled "Composing/Living," he writes, “I love composing, performing and sharing out of the midst of living, and align myself with a cause-and-effect philosophy, exemplifying process and product as one and concluding the journey and destination are the same.” Compositions throughout his development go “back and forth conceptually from simple songs, to investigations of complex methodologies, to experimentation with mathematical and visual paradigms. This pendulum motion supports my idea of carrying history forward while uniting that which was with the ever-present possibilities of ‘now time.’ The purpose of this design is to push new musical ideas forward while keeping history alive.” He hopes the book “will spark other theorists to look at their own historically unique concepts and help them see how their contributions enrich their colleagues and communities.”

Twin Cities area artists with disabilities

The next Artists With Disabilities Alliance (AWDA) meeting is Wednesday, August 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, Emeritus Room 201, 2501 Stevens Avenue S., Minneapolis. The main MCAD building is next to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts & the Children's Theatre. There is a free parking ramp off 3rd Avenue S., and accessible parking off Stevens & 25th. Come early and view art exhibits at MIA or MCAD!

AWDA is an organization of artists with disabilities who meet regularly to share recently created art, get feedback, work on group projects and offer support for disability or art-related issues. The meetings are fragrance-free, and accommodations (like ASL interpreters) can be provided if requested at least a week in advance. The next AWDA meetings will be September 15 & October 20.

Open Flow forums are monthly opportunities for artists to share art, creativity and thoughts. Currently they are held at 7:00 PM the first Thursday of each month at Carleton Artist Lofts, 2285 University Avenue W., Saint Paul (entrance off north parking lot). The next forums are September 2 and October 7.

To receive email or postcard reminders about either activity, contact VSA Minnesota or call 612-332-3888 voicemail box 4.

Saint Cloud area artists with disabilities

We / R / Artists networking group for artists with disabilities in Central Minnesota had an Inside Art Picnic Party on Monday, August 16 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Paramount Visual Arts Center in downtown Saint Cloud. Art activity stations were set up, and a Saint Cloud Times reporter was scheduled for possible interviews and photos of artwork and artists. Monthly meetings are from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Paramount Visual Arts Center. For more information, contact: Stacey O’Connell at 320-420-8124 or geckogirl10@hotmail.com or Sharon Pfau at 320-230-9412.

Duluth area artists with disabilities

To participate in the Arrowhead Alliance of Artists With Disabilities (AAAWD) in Duluth, email aaawdmail@gmail.com or go to AAAWD Blog or AAAWD on Facebook.

Minnesota Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services offers free monthly training sessions on various topics for people with hearing loss. They are offered at the Golden Rule Building at 85 E. 7th Place in downtown Saint Paul. For more information or to register, call 651-431-5940 voice, 1-888-206-6513 tty, or email dhhs.metro@state.mn.us.
Thursday, September 16, 9:00 to noon: Deaf Culture; 1:00-4:00 pm: The Impact of Hearing Loss
Tuesday, October 19, 9:00 to noon: The Impact of Hearing Loss; 1:00-4:00 pm: Deaf Culture
Wednesday, November 17, 9:00 to noon: Mental Health; 1:00-4:00 pm: Laws & Communication Access
Thursday, December 9, 9:00 to noon: Deaf Culture; 1:00-4:00 pm: The Impact of Hearing Loss
Tuesday, January 25, 9:00 to noon: Working with a Sign Language Interpreter; 1:00-4:00 pm: Beginning Sign Language
Wednesday, February 16, 9:00 to noon: Deaf Culture; 1:00-4:00 pm: The Impact of Hearing Loss
Tuesday, March 22, 9:00 to noon: Beginning Sign Language; 1:00-4:00 pm: Working with a Sign Language Interpreter
Thursday, April 14, 9:00 to noon: The Impact of Hearing Loss; 1:00-4:00 pm: Deaf Culture
Wednesday, May 11, 9:00 to noon: Hearing Loss in the Workplace; 1:00-4:00 pm: Mental Health
Thursday, June 2, 9:00 to noon: Deaf Culture; 1:00-4:00 pm: The Impact of Hearing Loss

Want to use your music skills to help others? The Music for Healing and Transition Program (www.mhtp.org), a nationally accredited therapeutic music program, offers classes in Minneapolis starting Sept. 18. Graduates receive a Certified Music Practitioner license to assist in pursuing jobs in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. For more information, contact Marcia.sanoden@gmail.com, 651-646-2074.

The Minneapolis Central Library is hosting an exhibit called "The Art of Aging" in the Cargill Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall, through September 5. Co-presented with the Minnesota Creative Arts & Aging Network, the exhibit features works by Lucy Rose Fischer, Bette Globus Goodman, Karen Searle and Jody Stadler. They will discuss their work as artists growing older on Thursday, August 19 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the library with moderator Connie Goldman, author and former NPR reporter. For more info, call 952-847-8000 or go to Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN) or Hennepin County Library - Library Events.

The Artability at Apollo art show is September 30 to October 2 at People Incorporated Apollo Resource Center, 313 North Dale Street in Saint Paul. The annual exhibit celebrates artists who use creativity in their journey towards mental health. Much of the art will be for sale. Artists receive 90% of the profits, with 10% going into the program. Writers can submit writing for the annual Artability Anthology – a collection of written works by adults with mental illness -- available at the Artability art show. Artability submission packets are available by calling 651-227-6321 x42 or emailing Artability@PeopleIncorporated.org.

The Lake Elmo Regional Art Center Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, September 19. On display during September at the LERAC gallery will be an art show by the Epilepsy Foundation called Brainstorms. Additional art will be shown at City Hall, the Library and the Credit Union.  

The New Century Artists meet at the Art Center on Mondays from 6:00-9:00 pm. The drop-in fee is a nominal $5. Or stop in on for free on Thursdays and try your hand at some painting of your own.

LERAC is open according to individual programs and scheduled shows, or by appointment at 3585 Laverne Avenue N. in Lake Elmo. For more information: 651-256-1407, www.lakeelmoregionalartcenter.com

The deadline is approaching to nominate a person or organization for this year’s Arts Access Awards. If you know an individual or organization that has made strides enabling more people with disabilities to participate in the arts, nominate them! Sample categories are: Outstanding Arts Educator of Students with Disabilities; Most Active & Visible Minnesota Artist with a Disability (performer, visual artist, writer,...); Most Active Producing or Performing Group Involving People with Disabilities; Most User-Friendly Performance or Exhibiting Space for People with Disabilities. Each recipient will receive a work of art created by a Minnesota artist with a disability, and will be recognized on Monday evening, September 13 at the Neighborhood House (Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center), 179 Robie Street East, Saint Paul (Neighborhood House).  Nomination deadline is September 1. Send up to two pages with information about nominee and nominator and why the award is deserved. News clippings or photos may be attached. A form is available at (2010 Arts Access Award Nomination Form). If you have questions, contact VSA Minnesota at 612-332-3888.