ARToberfest and other events during the first week at Bethany Arts Community

(Above:  One page bookmaking workshop at Bethany Arts Community.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This past week has flown by!  One of the reason has everything to do with the many opportunities to converse and share with some of the other, talented artists who are also in residence.  For example, Jennella Young shared her one-page bookmaking process.  It took place in the Bethany Arts Community's garden.  We folded pages from discarded library books into one page books, glued several of them together, made pockets and had the chance to alter them with paint, markers, and other supplies.  Although I've made several artist books, I'd never before folded a single piece of paper into a booklet.  It was cool ... especially as a way to use pages from books that were otherwise headed to a landfill.

(Above: Tessa Brinckman's performance.)

On another evening, Tessa Brinckman gave a most fabulous performance and artist talk.  An internationally acclaimed flutist and composer, she played works that showcased unique sounds made on and through her instruments. She accompanied a short film created in collaboration with two animators, spoke about her early life growing up in New Zealand, and shared her insights and inspirations. For the final piece, Tessa led the audience in an extremely fun exploration of personal music making.

 

(Above:  Me ... during today's ARToberfest!)

During the first part of the week, the weather was wonderful.  By Thursday, the forecast looked bleak.  Wisely, the Bethany Arts Community staff postponed their 4th Annual ARToberfest from Saturday until today, Sunday.  It was a good move.  It poured rain almost all day on Saturday!    Today, it didn't rain but it was COLD! (At least it was cold to me!  Coming from South Carolina, I'm just not accustomed to high 50s and low 60s!)  Nevertheless, the Community Crazy Quilt project was a success.  

(Jennella and a young participant stitching on the Community Crazy Quilt.) 

Lots of families, local neighbors, other artists, and friends came to learn a little about quilting and take a few stitches on the piece I brought.  The piece will eventually become part of my Patchwork Installation.  This piece is special ... not just because it was made for this special place and opportunity but because a section of the unfinished Battenburg lace that was donated to my stash is spread across the patchwork of vintage quilt scraps.  Outlining the lace is a row of stacked buttons.  Most of the people who participated in the activity helped with the buttons.  I've got a long way to go in order to finish this work but it got a good start here!