Spring 2010
Letter from the Executive Director Staring directly at the Northern Ireland checkpoint, briefcase in hand, Chilean political refugee René Castro poised himself for a battle. British soldiers immediately ordered him to halt. “What’s in the case?” they demanded. “My weapon,” he answered. Their rifles cocked as he opened the case and withdrew his sketchbook.
V. Douglas Snow – In Memoriam By Ruth Lubbers
From “The Art of Social Justice” by Maria X. Martinez
Art Access recently participated in Salt Lake Community College’s 4thAnnual Student Conference, which focused this year on Disability & Social Justice. Giving this topic an arts related spin, I pulled together a panel of five articulate artists who were willing to engage the audience in a frank discussion of what it was like to have a disabling condition and what role art plays in their lives. Participants were Mark Smith, April Motley, Carla Gourdin, Traci Carter, and Marcee Blackerby. The artists shared when disability first made an appearance in their lives. Answers ranged from “I was born that way” to a trampoline accident, a car accident, a stroke, and polio as a child. Some said that reactions to disability have not changed over the years; even with the passage of ADA in 1990, people are still awkward around them, if not “just plain rude.” Even so, the panel artists are a resilient group that subscribes to the “glass half full” philosophy of life. Art has made a significant difference in each of their lives. For example, poet/writer Mark Smith spoke about the joy of being published in a literary magazine and how he was elevated suddenly in the eyes of family members. Visual artist Marcee Blackerby still gets a thrill from showing her art in prestigious galleries along with well-known artists, even though she is now well known herself. It has often been said that art is the intellectual underpinning of social change, and the panelists spoke about the way in which art promotes dissent, dialogue, and acceptance. They also discussed how participating in art has been important for their own sense of identity, an activity critical in the context of social justice. Photographer and SLCC student Traci Carter was stricken by a major stroke while a high school student, and she had to relearn walking, reading, and speaking. She told of the hopeful feeling she receives every time she looks at a child or a landscape through a camera lens. Painter Carla Gourdin explained that she painted herself over and over again in a wheelchair after her trampoline accident, and this helped her adjust to and accept a new self-image. As these panelists so eloquently explained, participating in art enabled a self-discovery and self-acceptance that prepared them to make and advocate for change. — Ruth Lubbers
Years ago, when Brandon Griggs was the art writer at The Salt Lake Tribune, he wrote a light-hearted holiday season article, posing the following question to people in the arts community, including me: “What would you like to find in your stocking?” I answered, “A Doug Snow painting!” I didn’t know Doug personally at that time, but since then, all of us at Art Access grew to consider him a dear friend. He was shockingly generous with his time and talent and provided Art Access with beautiful art for our annual 300 Plates event. When Doug, who was one of Utah’s premiere artists, reached the grand age of eighty in 2009, he was one of the honored artists in Art Access’ Eighty Something exhibit. Artist Zachery Proctor came into our office when Doug was visiting in preparation for this exhibit, and it was obvious to me that it was a special moment. I recently asked Zach to express his thoughts about Doug, feeling that he spoke for so many of us. “Doug Snow was a hero of mine, not only because of his amazing paintings, but because of his kind and giving nature. I held him and his art in high regard. While visiting his studio with Paul Davis, I was amazed at his willingness to share his time and so much of himself. So much inspiration came from our few encounters, and I hope to follow in his footsteps.”
Art Acess/VSA Utah Goes Green Too much paper in your mailbox? Love galleries, but hate recycling the postcards for upcoming exhibitions? Want to conserve resources while helping nonprofits conserve as well? You can now receive all of our exhibition mailings via e-mail and take your love of art to new and wonderfully paperless heights. To opt out of receiving Art Access/VSA Utah’s exhibition postcards in your mailbox and to begin receiving them in your inbox, please send an email with PAPERLESS in the subject line to Amanda Finlayson at
[email protected].
Art Access/VSA Utah Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Staff Executive Committee Leslie Peterson, President Nancy G. Starks, Vice President Dennis Scott Owens, Treasurer Hank Liese, Secretary Julie K. Berreth, Immediate Past President Board Members Thomas M. Alder Erin W. Berrett Marcee Blackerby Carol W. Firmage Andrea R. Globokar Marcia K. Knorr Jimmy Lucero Noémi Perelman Mattis Frank McEntire Eric Mitchell April Motley Mary Lee Peters Kent Reynolds Steven K. Sheffield Shauna Sowles Lori Feld Steele Diane Stewart
Staff Ruth A. Lubbers, Executive Director
[email protected] Sheryl D. Gillilan, Assistant Director
[email protected] Amanda Kaye Finlayson, Programming and Development Manager
[email protected]
VSA Needs Your Help While President Barack Obama’s FY11 budget proposal provides a generous overall increase in funding for the Department of Education (DOE), it combines funding for Arts in Education with seven other small categorical programs into a state-based competitive block grant entitled “Effective Teaching and Learning for a Well Rounded Education.” Although support of “Arts in Education” is referenced, the direct funding to VSA (Art Access/VSA Utah’s national organization) and to the Kennedy Center education programs would be eliminated if this proposal were adopted. The proposed DOE block grant approach would implement a competitive model that only lists the many possible uses of funds, but promises nothing to states or to specific programs. Most importantly for VSA, it provides no assurance that the needs of individuals with disabilities will be addressed in this effort to provide a “well-rounded” education. To learn more about this issue and to take action on Arts Education, please visit the the Americans for the Arts webpage at http://ww3.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocate.asp.
Good News for Friends of Art Access Artist Erin Berrett was selected as the People’s Choice Favorite Artist at the Community Nursing Services Art & Soup event this past March.
Contracted Staff Susan Anderson Editor, Access Art Jean LaSarre Gardner Coordinator, Teen and Adult Workshops
Carol and John Firmage received the Next Generation Spirit of Giving Award at the 2009 Utah Nonprofit Association’s Utah Philanthropy Day. Additionally, musician Marcia Knorr and stained glass artist Nancy Starks both received Hearts & Hands Awards from Tri-County Independent Living Center and Art Access/VSA Utah (respectively) during the Philanthropy Day event.
Contact Information 230 South 500 West, #125 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Phone/TTY: (801) 328-0703 Fax: (801) 328-9868 Website: www.accessart.org
Mission Statement
Jimmy Lucero, in association with Neighborworks and Bridges Over Barriers, has completed a sixteen pillar glass mosiac on the underpass of I-15 on 300 North between 600 and 700 West. In addition, he has been selected to participate in the 337 Project’s Miniature Golf event that will open in June at the Salt Lake Art Center. He will also be the “Featured Artist” of the International Bountiful-Davis Arts Festival.
Art Access/VSA Utah provides equal opportunities to inclusive arts programs for Utahns with disabilities and for those with limited access to the arts.
Past board member and longtime Art Access volunteer Carla Gourdin recently finished her first marathon in the wheelchair division of the Salt Lake Marathon. Way to go, Carla!
Access Art is made possible in part through funding provided by the national office of VSA (an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), under an award from the U.S. Department of Education. The content of this newsletter does not necessarily reflect the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and endorsement should not be assumed.
Sam Wilson will receive the prestigious Cathedral of the Madeleine Humanities Award on May 23. Wilson is an arts professor at the University of Utah and a seasoned mentor in the Art Access Partners Program. Art Access would like to thank GraphicImages for its contribution to Access Art.
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Gallery Program Olivia Mae Pendergast has spent the past yearand-a-half in Africa painting people and making connections with Malawi artists. This exhibit in Art Access Gallery, which will run from July 16 through August 13, will feature intimate oil and graphite portraits, journal entries, and the work of the artists Olivia encountered in Africa. Roger Reaves and Sam Wilson, past apprentice and mentor in the Partners program, will be showing their work jointly in Access II during this same timeframe. Reaves’ graphite and pastel pieces combine life and art and encapsulate the people and living conditions he sees daily throughout the city. Wilson is eager to share the success of Art Access programs and his belief that they improve Utah’s thriving art community. An artists’ reception will take place on July 16.
For information on other upcoming exhibitions, flip through this issue of Access Art: Partners (page 3), 300 Plates (page 5), Teen Workshops (page 6), Jeff Juhlin & Jodi Steen (page 6), Blue Critchfield & Erica Houston (page 8), and Chad Crane (page 8). Receptions take place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. during the Salt Lake City Gallery Strolls. We also will be sending out postcards in the coming months on each of these upcoming exhibits, so watch your mailbox (or inbox!).
2010 Partners Program Apprentice artist Paul Alusa (left) and his professional artist mentor Fidalis Buehler (right) meet at Art Access to set their goals for the 2010 Partners Program.
Art Access is proud to announce the participants in its 2010 Partners program. This highly specialized program serves talented adult artists with disabilities or other life circumstances that prevent opportunities for artistic development. Conducted since 1995, this program matches apprentice artists one-on-one with professional artist mentors who guide them in improving technique, trying new media, and helping them reach their artistic potential. This year’s program includes the following apprentice artists and their professional artist mentors: Paul Alusa and Fidalis Buehler (this partnership will be documented by filmmaker Steve Olpin); David Adams and David Krenzer; Barry Wright and Sam Wilson; Katie Felgar and Sue Valentine; Kent Ainsworth and Steve Sheffield; and Deborah Burt and Joey Behrens.
Apprentice artist Katie Felgar (right) and her professional mentor Sue Valentine (left) gather at Art Access to kick off their partnership. Partners photos by Ruth Lubbers.
The 16th Annual Partners Exhibition, in which the apprentice artists and their professional artist mentors will exhibit works side-by-side in the Art Access Gallery, will take place from August 20 through September 10, with a reception during Gallery Stroll on August 20.
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Featured Artist: Carole Alden by Sheryl Gillilan Please allow Sheryl Gillilan from VSA Utah clearance into the Timpanogos Visiting Room for an interview with inmate Carole Alden #180047 on April 20, 2010 at 0900 hours. The visit will last for 1 hour and be supervised by Sgt. Travis Knorr. Ms. Gillilan will be allowed to bring a notepad and pen to document the interview. – Steve Turley, Draper Warden Those magic words finally allow me to meet artist Carole Alden after a month of bureaucratic phone calls, background checks, and a letter to the warden’s office. Clad in maroon scrubs with INMATE blazoned on the leg in white block letters, Carole looks like any other inmate — except her scrubs are festooned with multi-colored paint splatters. She apologizes for her appearance, but is appreciative of the brightly colored sweater I wore for her benefit. “Wow, that’s sensory overload,” she laughs, as she shields her eyes. “We don’t see that much color around here.” It is clear in talking with Carole that she has always been an artist. As a kid she sneaked behind her house to dig clay out of the hillside so she could make pots. She also carved knives out of deer antlers and sculpted objects that were so sophisticated her kindergarten teacher couldn’t believe she’d made them herself and begged Carole’s mother to quit helping with her daughter’s art projects. Over the years Carole taught herself to work with bronze and porcelain, but switched to fabric when she wanted a safer working environment around her children. She created elaborate Victorian wedding gowns commissioned by clients around the country, and later became well known for her doll making and soft sculptures. In 2006, after teaching herself to weld, Carole created a 90 foot-long dragon with 2,000 feet of steel and gossamer fabric wings that undulated in the Salt Lake Library’s reflective pool during the Utah Arts Festival that summer. And then Carole’s life imploded in a domestic violence incident that landed her in the Millard County Jail. Traumatized and suicidal, she drew a picture of a naked woman skewered on cell bars, watching her children walk off 4
Photo by Kent Miles
into the distance. Later, Carole recreated the drawing (shown recently at Art Access’ Outsider Art exhibit) with felt, embroidery thread, pencils, and an illicit sewing needle. When I ask how she got access to the needle, Carole smiles and says, “Well, there’s always a way around everything. The guys in State custody [at the jail] could have needles, so I would draw them soft-core 50s style porn and they would send me over some needles tucked inside the mop bucket.” Now at the State prison with an indeterminate sentence of one to fifteen years, Carole has access to only marginally better art materials: sewing needles (but no fabric), crochet hooks, yarn, paint brushes, “crappy acrylic paint in not enough colors,” drawing paper, black Bic pens, and eight colors of pencils. But she uses them all. She churns out drawings at a furious rate and keeps them in a 3’ x 3 1/2’ box in her cell. She’s also painted some murals on cinder block walls, which explains the Jackson Pollock touches on her uniform.
Carole Alden’s textile work demonstrates her complex approach to form, color, dimension, texture, and image.
For longer term art projects, inmates have to secure a “property contract” that allows them to keep the necessary supplies in their boxes, but even that doesn’t protect them when the SWAT teams come through to clear out everyone’s cells after an inmate has transgressed. Carole says, “The first time that happened I about had a nervous breakdown. Those art supplies and drawings are my soul. But at this point, I’ve gotten used to the possibility of everything being taken away.” The only way Carole’s finished art pieces escape this fate is the requirement that they be shipped out or picked up by an approved visitor within 30 days. Continued on page 6
Eighth Annual 300 Plates Fundraiser and Exhibition It’s time again for the 300 Plates Fundraiser & Exhibition. This year’s event will be held on May 20 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Art Access Gallery. In order to accommodate this event’s huge popularity and draw, we will be overflowing into the parking lot. An event tent will highlight the culinary delights of Gastronomy, Inc. and feature the dulcet tones of Fifth Fret. Additionally, the Utah Arts Festival space will become a purchasing hub for plate lovers. We have 99 established and emerging Utah artists, 26 of whom are first timers to 300 Plates. All artists have created art in a variety of mediums on the 11” x 10” recycled metal printer’s plates you have grown to know and love. The plate prices will start at $75 and increase sequentially in one-dollar increments. As always, a small selection of plates will be placed in our silent auction. Here is what to expect: Monday, May 17 – Wednesday, May 19 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Plate preview
Thursday, May 20 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Plate preview
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Social hour and continued preview
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
A colored band on your wrist! Every three minutes we will announce a random color — until all wrist band colors have been called — entitling those lucky people to purchase one available plate each. Automatically get assigned to a color group (20 individuals per group) with a paid RSVP. Each participant may only have one wristband.
8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Remaining plates for sale
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Silent auction. We will be using blind bids again this year, and winners will be notified by the next day.
It’s still just $25 per person to attend, as long as your RSVP is postmarked by Thursday, May 13. RSVPs postmarked after May 13 and tickets purchased at the door on May 20 will be $35. Questions? Contact us at (801) 328-0703 or
[email protected]. Plate photos by Adam Moore
Trent Alvey, Alison Armstrong, Cassandra Barney, Daniel Barney, Heather Barron, Jennifer Barton, Lane Bennion, Paul Vincent Bernard, Erin W.Berrett, Namon Bills, Marcee Blackerby, Laura Boardman, Connie Borup, Doug Braithwaite, Sandra Brunvand, Fidalis Buehler, Aaron Bushnell, Trent Call, Emily Cannon, Royden Card, Justin Carruth, Joe Carter, Wendy Chidester, James Christensen, Rob Colvin, Chad Crane, Blue Critchfield, Meri DeCaria, Darryl Drage, Marian Dunn, Sara Shepherd Edgar, David Estes, Carole Evans, Angela Bentley Fife, McGarren Flack, Nathan Florence, Lindsay Frei, Susan Gallacher, Dave Hall, Paul Heath, Jeffery Hein, Erica Houston, Margaret Hunt, Chelsea James, Janell James, Anne Morgan Jespersen, Jason Jones, Shami Kanekar, Amal Kawar, Brian Kershisnik, Bob Kleinschmidt, Mark Knudsen, Lenka Konopasek, Kristie Krumbach, Zane Lancaster, Jacqui Biggs Larsen, Matt Larson, Steven Larson, Bill Lee, Jimmy Lucero, Ann V. Maak, Judy Maryon, Marjorie McClure, Emily McPhie, David Meikle, Chris Miles, Dottie Miles, Ann Mortensen, April D. Motley, Patrick Munger, Lori Nelson, Joseph Ostraff, Cassandria Parsons, Kathleen Peterson, Pilar Pobil, Bonnie Posselli, Matthew Liam Potter, Zachary Proctor, Jeffery Pugh, Hadley Rampton, Ian Ramsay, Edie Roberson, Mark Robison, Shawn Rossiter, Stephen K. Sheffield, Anthony Siciliano, Dennis Smith, Gary Ernest Smith, Steven Stradley, Bonnie Sucec, Travis Tanner, Leslie Thomas, Jamaica Trinnaman, Sue Valentine, Justin Wheatley, Margaret Willis, Kathryn C. Wilson Sam Wilson, and Daren Young
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Featured Artist, continued from page 4
Because sculpture is still Carole’s first love and inmates are not allowed “stuffing material” of any kind for soft sculptures, she looks forward to winter snowstorms when she can go outside, shovel all the snow onto the basketball court and begin creating. Snowmen are prohibited (someone might hide behind them or use them as decoys), but one year Carole created a 70-foot dragon, making sure to keep its profile low to the ground. Then her fellow inmates got into the act by saving their juice drinks and pouring them over the dragon to add some color. Carole currently has a property contract to create a 7’ x 9’ version of her impaled woman, entirely constructed from individual pieces of crochet layered upon one another. She also has plans to create multiple pieces of art based on her prison drawings when she is released. Expecting her to lust after currently forbidden art supplies, I am surprised when Carole says, “I want to take the materials we’re restricted to here and make something really amazing out of them. I want to do pieces that really show the complexities of drug abuse, poverty, and domestic violence that shape women’s lives. Much of it will be disturbing for people to view, but I think it’s an important message to communicate on a visceral level. Only then will some people grasp the terror and despondency that pervades so many lives in secret.” And with that our interview is over, extended half-an-hour by the accommodating Sgt. Knorr. Carole is ordered to stay behind in the visiting room because they are doing a secure transfer of another prisoner. My driver’s license is returned, and I am escorted out of the building through three sets of sliding steel doors and fences with spiraled razor wire. I grab a drink up the street at the Hard Times Café and drive away very lost in thought.
Teen Workshops for Summer 2010 Join us for six exciting two-day workshops from mid-June through July. All workshops are open to teens with and without disabilities, ages 13 to 19, and are taught by professional artists. The workshops will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day and include lunch. The professional artists conducting the workshops and the topics that will be covered will be as follows: Joey Behrens (altered printmaking), Justin Wheatley (photographic transfers and collage), Jason Jones (pop surrealist landscape painting), Marcee Blackerby (“things with wings” assemblage), Ben Wiemeyer (outdoor mural painting), and Travis Tanner (collage). An added perk: selected pieces from the teen workshops will appear in our 13th Annual Teen Workshops Exhibition, which will run from August 20 through September 10 and include a reception on August 20 during the Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll. The workshops are free, but they do require a $20 nonrefundable registration fee (which may be waived due to financial hardship). Check the website at www.accessart.org for specific dates and a registration form. Workshops fill up fast, so sign up early! If you have questions, please contact our Teen Workshop Coordinator Jean LaSarre Gardner at 801808-6280 or call Art Access at 801-328-0703.
Coming in June From June 18 through July 9, Jeff Juhlin and Jodi Steen will exhibit jointly in the Art Access Gallery, and Denise Crane will exhibit in Access II.
Art Access Invites 2010/2011 Integrated Arts in Utah Schools Proposals Art Access/VSA Utah, in contract with the Utah State Office of Education: Special Education Services Unit, is accepting proposals for arts programming for students receiving special education services (ages 3-22). Proposals should come from schools and organizations serving students receiving special education services or youth with disabilities, and they should focus on artist-in-residencies, arts festivals, and special arts projects. Allocations between $200 and $2,500 will be considered, and all funding requested through this proposal MUST be used by your school or organization between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Detailed information and proposal materials can be found on the Art Access website at www.accessart.org on the Integrated Arts in Utah Schools program page. The proposal deadline is Friday, May 28, 2010. Questions? Contact Amanda Finlayson at 801-328-0703 or
[email protected]. 6
An artists’ reception will take place on June 18 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Seedlings by Jodi Steen
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! In addition to the 99 artists who contributed an array of visually engaging (and frankly fantastic!) plates, we have so many people to thank for their contributions to 300 Plates: Event sponsors The Sam and Diane Stewart Family Foundation Jim Dabakis The Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation The Marcia and John Price Foundation Silent auction sponsors David and Sherrie Gee Daniel and Noémi Mattis Edward and Grace Mary McDonough Evergreene Management John and Anne Milliken Lori Feld Steele Skip and Matty Branch Additional Sponsors or Donors Gastronomy, Inc. Printech Plus SDI Celestial Floral Salon Susan Anderson We so appreciate your gracious and generous support of Art Access/VSA Utah and its programs. Thanks!
Art Access at the 2010 Utah Arts Festival Art Access/VSA Utah is continuing its presence in the Children’s Art Yard at The Utah Arts Festival. This year’s theme is “Beneath the Surface,” and visitors to our booth will create mirrored collages under the instruction of our longtime booth coordinator Janet Frick and our amazing volunteers. To this end, we need your help. We need volunteers to assist children in making art at our booth, and shifts will run from noon to 3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. throughout the festival. The Utah Arts Festival will be held in Library Square from Thursday, June 24 through Sunday, June 27. The Children’s Art Yard will be open daily to children, ages 5 to 12, from noon to 9:00 p.m. If you would like more information or are interested in volunteering to help at our booth, please contact Amanda Finlayson at (801) 328-0703 or e-mail
[email protected].
Documentary Film at Art Access Join us Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. for a showing of the documentary film Herb & Dorothy. The film tells the extraordinary story of Herbert Vogel, a postal clerk, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history with very modest means. Devoting all of Herb’s salary to purchase art they liked, and living on Dorothy’s paycheck, they collected art guided by two rules: the piece had to be affordable, and it had to be small enough to fit in their onebedroom Manhattan apartment. There will be limited seating, so arrive promptly. Suggested donation is $5.00.
If you would like to help Art Access strengthen its inclusive services for adults and children with disabilities and for those who represent other underserved communities, please contact Sheryl Gillilan at (801) 328-0703 or
[email protected].
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Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Salt Lake City, UT Permit No. 969
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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Coming in Fall 2010 From September 17 through October 8, Blue Critchfield and Erica Houston will be exhibiting jointly in the Art Access Gallery. During this timeframe, Chad Crane also will be exhibiting in Access II. An artists’ reception will take place on Friday, September 17 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Rest in Peace of Mind by Blue Critchfield (left) and Yellow Lily by Erica Houston (right).
Untitled by Chad Crane