Open Studio this Sunday

I will have open studio from 1:00-5:00 This Sunday, September 2nd. You can see this piece, titled "Reveler II" and others...My studio is at the Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road in Greenbelt Maryland. There will also be a lot of fun goin on outside the building as Greenbelt hosts it's annual Labor Day Festival. I just love seeing a ferris wheel out of my window! Especially at night when it lights up. There will be plenty of fair food and an awesome used book sale sponsored by the Greenbelt Elementary School PTA. Come on down and enjoy!!!

FORMED AND TRANSFORMED at The Greenbelt Community Center Gallery

This show was concieved by Loraine DiPetro, a ceramics artist at the Greenbelt Community Center. Each piece is inspired by another Artists work up at the community center, where all of our studios are found. It is a fun show. Loraine made ceramics vessels that reflect my Villi pieces. It is hard to tell the difference! The show will run until September 27, 2007 at the Greenbelt Community Center located at 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD: 301-397-2208. A Reception for the show will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6 - 7:30pm.

Sushi Box at "ENTERING THE COMFORT ZONE"

This piece, "Sushi Box" ( actually only two of three will be on display, because the third sold to some lovely folks from California) will be a part of the new show at Frankin's Restaurant, Brewery & General Store 5123 Baltimore Avenue Hyattsville, MD called "ENTERING THE COMFORT ZONE". The show will be up from August 25th until October 20th. Frankin's is a cool Brewery/Restauraunt in Hyattsville. It is kid-friendly and they have a really cool toy store next door that features a lot of the original elements of the historic general store that it is in. For more info you can call 301-927-2740.

Arts for the Aging

I have started working with an organization called "Arts for the Aging". This organization funds artists to go into Adult Care facilities for Arts-related programming. I have done a few "preliminary" sessions doing felting with the Seniors. It has gone well. My goal is to facilitate some intergenerational programs through Arts for the Aging. In my opinion, bridging the generations through Community Arts is pure magic. I am so excited to work with such a professional group of people.

Prince George's County Arts Council Individual Artist Award

I just found out that I have recieved an Individual Artist Award from the Prince George's County (Maryland) Arts Council. This grant will help support the creation of a new body of work (20 pieces, hopefully) for my solo show at The Brentwood Arts Center in Brentwood, Maryland. During the course of the show, I will also teach a community based basketry workshop, provided free of charge to community members.

This piece, titled "Spectacle" (created using eyeglasses) is the first piece I have created for this show, only 19 more to go!!

Community Art at Chicago's Millenium Park

During our trip we visited the Millenium Park in Chicago. Truly inspiring!!! There were two pieces there that have captivated the city of Chicago, and visitors as well.
The first piece is called "Cloud Gate" by Anish Kapoor. I had seen pictures of this piece, but pictures cannot give you the FEELING you get standing beside and under and interacting with the piece. Everyone was enjoying finding their reflection and taking pictures. There was even a guy taking a picture of his pregnant wife's belly against the piece. Chicagoans have even given it a nickname, 'the bean'. "Cloud Gate" is truely wonderful art that interacts with the community it is set in.
The second piece I found at the Millenium Park was "Crown Fountain" by Jaume Plensa. This piece was the center of attraction on a hot summer day. This fountain is like no other I have ever seen, first of all, people are ALLOWED to get wet. Children in bathing suits, adults getting wet in their clothes, it was lovely! Then, there is the way the water is delivered, by large images of everyday people (community members?) spitting the water out of their pursed lips! What better way to form community then by running through a sprinkler on a hot summers day? Thanks, Chicago, we had a great time!! (even though the Cubs lost)

Back from the Midwest

Back from an enjoyable trip to the Midwest. Included in our journey was an opening at the Judith Racht Gallery in beautiful Harbert, Michigan. The Gallery is a beautiful old school house and Judith and Johanna did a wonderful job with the installation of the works and a glorious opening reception. They hosted no less that 21 members of the Morisette clan, not a small feat! Here are some photos of the opening of "True Colors". More stuff about our trip in later posts....enjoy!