SOS Asheville

Report #: 8

Name of Topic :  organizing artists for creative change

Name of Leader :marston blow

Names of Participants: Raphael peter, laurel rhinhardt, lisa shoemaker

Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding): building the movement of the transformation of our world to a substainable planet that respects all life.  What do artists do to effect social change?  Push the box of conscience.  Care about beauty and truth.  Keep the “king” in line.

Future Action/Next Steps: Create a “we the artist of world” declaration, a guiding vision and a unifying principle.

Report #: 4

Name of Topic: The Arts with People at Risk

Name of Leader: Linda Metzner

Names of Participants: Lynn, Linda, Amy, Cheryl

Previous story regarding this topic if there is one: “The Well” Arts for Empowerment is a new nonprofit being started by Linda to bring performing artists to give hands-on workshops based on life stories to clients and staff of social service organizations. Awaiting fiscal sponsorship by WCCSC (Western Carolina Coalition for Social Concerns) and producing a concert, “The Abundance of Mary” as a benefit for “The Well” in August.

Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding):  In Wilmington Delaware, they used theatre led by teens with disabilities to diffuse bullying.  Used technique of freezing to stop the action, offer new outcomes, change direction away from violence, hold discussions, etc.  Teens make and take home books to record experiences.

      Want to learn to incorporate varying points of view using the arts in meetings among people.

      Public graffiti contests in Portland, Maine to allow the muted voice to be heard.

      Helpmate Art show in Asheville using dance, theatre, poetry and song to reflect experiences of those who have been victims of domestic violence.

      Brain patterns create new pathways through the arts-  a way out of the cycle in which one can be stuck.  New brain theory information supports this.  Repatterning.

      Movement especially helps to open new brain paths.

       Always remember  to include free and low-cost public art to give access to all.

     Fees can be sliding-scale, donations, suggested amount.

Future Action/Next Steps:

      For “The Well”,  fundraising, publicity, concert on August 27^th, sending out contacts to Linda at annelinde@hotmail.com.  Hoping to begin program September 2006.

Report #: 1           

Name of Topic:  Collaboralchemy

Name of Leader:  Sara Deutsch

Names of Participants:  Lisa Shoemaker, Kerry Lindsey, Charlotte Anthony, Kimber Xara, Liz Logan

Previous story regarding this topic if there is one: 

In Hawaii communities of artists would collaborate on art projects that then sold for thousands of dollars.  Silk paintings are great for collaboration as well.  A return to the traditional artist guild.

How do we sustain ourselves as artists?

Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding): 

Visions and seeds that we developed in conversation:

• An on-line network where people list what they need and what they offer.  This could help us make a transition from a money economy to a barter economy.

• Art center: 30,000 foot square spaced divided between a mart to sell art wholesale, studios next to each other, an “art gym” where individuals and schools could buy memberships for the privilege of using the tools, a scrap exchange to recycle scraps.

• Branding Asheville’s art scene—it already has an national “buzz”, build on that by developing the “design/designer” concept which may sell better that “artisan/craftperson.”  Sell home furnishing, capitalize on the clothing design scene.

• Brand Asheville art as “green”—starting with the scrap exchange that recycles materials that would otherwise go into the waste stream.  This could be used to increase the public’s consciousness about where their waste goes.  It also gives artists a free source of materials.  People would feel good about buying “green art.”

• Art could also be done in nature or with natural materials.  (See Andy Goldsworthy’s work)

• Sara ran a workshop that invited each person to bring an unfinished piece and materials for the supplies pot luck.  Each piece got worked on by the rest of the group.   This could be done to educate Asheville about collaborative art, branding, creating a wholesale market, and the resulting pieces could be auctioned of to raise funds.  It would also serve to build community.  It could even be done as a team competition a la Iron Chef.

• Collaborative art is the microcosm for tribal communities—each person follows their passion, which is also their gift (contribution) to the rest of the group.

Resources for artists:

• REACH for grants to teach art in places where there is not usually art.

• The Chamber of Commerce has writers who could help brand Asheville as a center for design and a place to buy art wholesale

• MediaArtsProject.com

• There is a found art traveling show (don’t know the name of it)

• The Center for Unlimited Possibilities, a new space next door to EarthFair, is opening up.  One of our participants (Mary) is involved with this. 6,000 square feet could be used to begin the Asheville designer mart.

Future Action/Next Steps:

• Sara is willing to host a collaborative event for auction.

• Charlotte will introduce Lisa to Mary.

• Kerry has outdoor space in Hendersonville.

Resources Required (who should be involved, finances, non-paid labour, other):

Sara is looking for other artists/creative people who are interested in collaborative art, especially those who are interested in silk painting.

“The Well”  

Arts for Empowerment

Champion:  Linda Metzner, Founder

 Future Action:  Performing artists bringing hands-on workshops to clients and staff of social services in Western North Carolina.

annelinde@hotmail.com