VOL U M E Editorial Staff 2 - I S S U E 2 A P R I L - J U NE 2 01 3 Maria Lynam Arlene Minuskin Nancy Matte Marc Luedtke INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Letter from VAC 2 Chair continued Best of Show 4 “Nobility of Nature” Jerry Bengtson 1st place 2D 4 “Nobility of Nature” 5 Letter from the Visual Arts Committee Chair 6 2013-2014 GALLERY SEASON Mei-June Liao 1st place 3D “Nobility of Nature” presentation must be a square. 3-D art must be fashioned out of squares. Artists are encouraged to think out of the box. We encourage all forms of media – 2-D and 3-D, fiber arts and book arts. By Maria Lynam Stan Book Curator’s Corner 7 PCA Gallery News 8 Banksy & Swoon - 9 Vandalism or Art? 10 By Arlene Minuskin 11 The Visual Arts Committee, a group that meets at the Prescott Center for the Arts Gallery the first Tuesday of every month at 3pm, oversees the activities of the gallery under the direction of PCA’s Jon Meyer, Executive Director. REFLECTIONS Capturing light, referring to light or generating light, has been a challenge to visual artists for centuries. Illumination can be caught by the sun’s rays, or a candle or similar light sources. Stained glass brings in natural light. Contemporary artists are using fluorescent tubes and videos to bring light to the art world, as well as metallic, iridescent, and duochrome paints and other materials that reflect and respond to environmental light. Other artists spend their time reflecting on various subjects or ideas. This exhibit allows the artist to present a personal response to ‘reflections.’ Maria Lynam Photo Gallery of Events & Classes Schedules & Notices 12 13 14 The exhibits for the upcoming 2013-2014 season start in September. During the past few months, the VAC has deliberated over exhibit titles and content. During their discussions, they looked at many suggestions. Their final selections present a balanced offering so artists of all media have the opportunity to enter many exhibits. The PCA Gallery encourages all forms of media – 2-D and 3-D, fiber arts and book arts. IT’S ALL SQUARE - Each work of art must be square – size of each square does not matter. If multiple pieces are used, the final PAGE 2 Letter DAY OF THE DEAD - Join artists and entertainers who celebrate the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) in their art. This inaugural exhibit will be held in conjunction with activities at the Smoki Museum and the Prescott City Cemetery. The gallery will welcome visitors during the annual Ghost Talk performances, the last weekend in October. SEASON FOR ALL: GIFT SHOW - A perennial favorite, the PCA Gallery is transformed with an array of gifts for the discriminating shopper. Contribute your art and handcrafted items so our selection is the very best in handmade gifts for the home, friends and family. PRIMARY COLORS - Color contributes to a viewer's experience of a particular painting or drawing. This exhibition will explore the significance of color in art. Experience color in a new way as you utilize the hues of red, yellow, blue, black, and white in the creative process. Artists must use at least one primary color. Colors can be mixed or glazed over one another. SHAPING OUR WORLD - Throughout history, artists have been inspired to create works of art in response to a myriad of aspects that influence their personal view of the world. Those inspirational triggers have been physical, spiritual, intellectual, cultural, or sensual in character. An artist’s creative spirit may be influenced by the physical environment of human construction, by the diverse manifestations of nature, by religion or philosophy, through the joy of placing colors and textures together, or by the desire to give form to beauty or to passion. Some works of art mirror the physical appearance of their inspiration while other works have no reference to the seen world. Artists are invited to open their senses and their personal world through a work of art shaped by unique inspiration. TIMELESS MEDITATIONS: MANDALAS & PATTERNS IN NATURE - Artists in all media are invited to submit art that is inspired by, represents or includes sacred geometry, mandalas, and patterns in nature. Recognition of patterns and shapes can profoundly affect how we see ourselves in relation to each other and the world in which we live, to embrace ideas that unite us, not divide us. The Sanskrit word “Mandala” refers to a circle, which can be a focal point for meditation, a portal to dreams, a prayer for healing, or simply a beautiful decoration. Artists use imagery, color and movement to create unique contemporary mandalas. NOVEL APPROACH: ART AND A BOOK - Everything book related! Pay homage to your favorite book or literary genre or favorite author with a piece of your art. Art- ists are invited to write a brief (50 words or less) description of how your book, genre or author influenced your entry. Book artists and 3-D artists are encouraged to create their own book, accompanied with a brief description of your inspiration and process. Two artists could collaborate. For example, a 2-D artist could create a work inspired by another artist’s book, or vice versa. Digital books are also encouraged (artist must supply own display). The PCA Gallery Exhibit Schedule will be posted as soon as it is finalized. We look forward to this exciting season. If you wish to become part of the Visual Arts Committee, stop by a meeting or call Maria Lynam, Chair, (928) 443-8854, to get more information. PAGE 3 2nd Annual PCA Gallery Art and Treasures Sale The Prescott Center for the Arts Gallery Visual Arts Committee members are collecting items for the 2013 Art & Treasures Gallery Sale. All members and their friends are welcome to drop off your special treasures that need a new home. What: PCA Gallery Art and Treasures Sale When: Sale Day is Saturday, May 11th, 2013, 9AM – 2PM Where: Prescott Center for the Arts Gallery on Willis St. west of Marina St. Donation drop offs: May 9rd 10AM - 2PM, May 10th 10AM - 5PM at PCA Gallery If you are unable to bring your treasures during the above listed drop off dates, please call Barb Wills at 928.445.2796 or Cindi Shaffer at 928.717.0828 and we will coordinate a drop off time that works for you. PCA Gallery NEEDS your donations of things you would buy at an ARTY yard sale, such as: ART SUPPLIES, ARTWORK, YARD ART, ANTIQUES, GLASS AND TABLEWARE, ART JEWELRY AND VINTAGE CLOTHING, WESTERN ITEMS, BRIC A BRAC, COOL AND FUNKY ITEMS PLEASE DO NOT BRING: TOYS, SHOES, ANY ITEMS THAT ARE NOT IN GOOD CONDITION, ANY ITEMS NOT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, CLOTHES UNLESS VINTAGE PAGE 4 “Nobility of Nature” Show - Gallery Winners Best of Show/Featured Artist Jerry Bengtson - Photographer By Nancy Matte his wife’s concern about his retirement activities, Jerry decided it would be fun to get more involved in photography, working in both color and black and white. So he bought his first DSLR (Canon 20D) and started taking classes in digital photography and Photoshop. Jerry says “I am in constant search for more information while actively being involved in two local photo clubs and a group of Yavapai College Alumni advanced photographers.” Bengtson’s advice for beginning artists is to “Educate, educate, educate. You can never know too much. It takes educating yourself and time to perfect your craft.” JERRY BENGTSON, Photographer Mare in Spring Gulch, Best in Show 2D - 1st Place - Mei-June Liao Painter By Nancy Matte Jerry Bengtson's photograph, Mare in Spring Gulch, won Best in Show in PCA’s Nobility of Nature gallery exhibit. It was taken at the end of September 2012 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, while he and his wife were attending a photo workshop. During that event they had passed by the location many times where this photograph was taken. As with many photographs, timing is everything. “It was as we were returning home that the mare just happened to be where she was as we passed by the spot and without anything from me she turned suddenly and looked directly at me.” Jerry spent most of his life in business, retiring ten years ago after a successful career in executive management in the automobile business. After retirement, his wife was concerned that Jerry’s only outside interest was golf since it was the only outside activity he had time for while working. He had always been interested in photography and in 1965 he acquired his first 35mm SLR camera, a Nikon F Photomic T, but the only photographs he had usually taken were family snap shots. But because of MEI-JUNE LIAO, Painter Monterey in Spring, First Place 2D Mei-June Liao’s pastel painting, Monterey in Spring, the First Place 2D winner of PCA’s Nobility of Nature gallery exhibit, was based on a photo she took “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Thomas Merton, No Man Is an Island ARTIST CONNECTION PAGE 5 during a family vacation in Monterey, CA. She says that she “was inspired by the spring flowers and the shapes of the cypress trees near the rocky coast line.” Further describing her creative process and how she gets her ideas, Mei-June states “that [the] morning was cloudy with a misty horizon. As usual, I took several pictures from different angles and chose the one that has the best composition for my painting. After minor modifications of contrast, light and shadow using Photoshop, I painted it based on the local colors in the photo.” In general, Mei-June actively collects possible ideas for future works. Since she enjoys collecting photos of beautiful scenery, when she vacations or visits places, she takes lots of photos. She states that, “After I learned to paint a few years ago, I began to pay more attention to the potential of painting objects and landscape composition. Sometime[s], I would just take the picture of a tree or a piece of cloud, thinking that I may use that object in one of my paintings.” Using a digital camera is a lifesaver because one can take many photos and not worry about the cost or about developing prints. Another tool she uses is Photoshop, which allows modification. She states that when selecting a photo to paint, the most important thing is the composition. “Some objects may need to be moved around to make it a better composition [and] the value, color; light and shadow can also be modified in Photoshop.” After selecting the reference photo and making any necessary modifications, Mei-June decides on the painting’s size and then underpaints, which fixes the value and composition. “Layers of pastels are then applied from top to bottom, dark to light, and hard to soft. I work on a small section first and then move on to the next section.” Each painting takes at least 8-10 hours and she projects the reference photo on a computer screen. She may also use Photoshop’s added grid lines on the reference photo to aid in accurate drawing. She states that, “I often revisit the finished painting several days later and make changes. I like to paint without music, TV or other distractions. It helps my concentration.” Her advice to beginning artists for developing one’s creative process is: “The first step is to select the object and theme you like. The next step is to change the object so that it looks good on the painting. This second step requires constant learning from studying other people’s paintings, reading instruction books, taking classes, etc. Be bold to experiment different color schemes. Paint the same composition with different light and shadow to reflect different parts of the day, such as from morning to dusk. Do not worry about making mistakes. Pastel painting is very forgiving; it can be changed any time, even years later.” Mei-June is giving a pastel painting demonstration on April 26 as well as a two-day pastel workshop at Mountain Artists Guild on May 13 and 14. Many tips about pastel painting will be provided. Featured Artist Wall The Featured Artist during the Grey Matter show was Jerry Bengtson (The Wall is now located by the entrance to the Gallery) VOLUME 2 - ISSUE 2 PAGE 6 3D - 1st Place - Stan Book - Metal Sculptor By Nancy Matte sided, but normally, I intend my sculpture to be viewed from all sides. I confess to being dismayed when curators shove my work up against a wall or into a corner! When viewers engage with the work and don’t just look past it and walk by, I am happy.” His advice for beginning artists STAN BOOK, Metal Sculptor Forces of Nature, First Place 3D Stan Book’s Forces of Nature won First Place 3D in the recent Nobility of Nature gallery exhibit. His initial interest in art was sparked by his mother, a selftaught artist, who used chalk to illustrate Bible stories at local churches. Also working in oils, watercolor and ceramics, she was his introduction to fine art. In high school, he took several art classes and in college took art history, design, and painting as electives. At Claremont University, he earned a Master of Arts in Fine Art with a concentration in printmaking. “is to look at art every chance you get. But do not try to analyze or copy what you see! Use the right side of your brain. Just look at the art and absorb it. Do not use words to describe it or interpret it. Just experience it. Whenever you feel the urge, pick something up – pencil and paper, paint and canvas, stone, chisel and hammer, sticks – whatever! Do not think ‘is this art?; am I an artist?’; or, ‘will anyone take this seriously?’ Just do it – every time you get the urge. Keep it and look at it without judging it. Let it speak without words. If it doesn’t do something for you, try something else. Keep experimenting until something just feels right. Now, you are hooked; you have made art.” Stan believes that every artist makes art because they have no other choice – it is essential to their being. He continues stating, “If people like your art and want it in their lives, share it with them – for a price. However, if you are a designer/craftsman, you should make attractive, well-constructed objects for the market, which is much easier and far more financially rewarding than struggling to make and sell art. If your goal is to make things to sell, this will also be far more personally rewarding.” Having worked in a variety of media over time, Stan now concentrates primarily on welded metal sculpture – mostly rusty as well as continuing to work in base -metal jewelry (copper, brass, bronze). Stan says that he seldom starts a new sculpture with a preconceived idea or a sketch in hand. “I am an inveterate scavenger and have collected a trove of cutoffs, cut-outs, metal scraps, and other ‘junk’ - which is my primary source of inspiration. I look for interesting shapes and peculiar placements. I just start welding things together – adding piece after piece until the sculpture feels finished. I am not thinking about particular goals or outcomes as I work. I do like contrast, incongruity, and unexpected combinations. That’s the secret I didn’t anticipate sharing. My sculpture is seldom onesided in conception. Occasionally it is primarily two- “Child’s Play” Exhibit Call for Art! Due by Saturday, April 20th. Stop by the Gallery and pick up the entry or visit: http://www.pfaa.net/current-season.html Click on Call for Art under exhibit info. PAGE 7 Curator’s Corner HOW TO ENTER A PCA GALLERY EXHIBIT By Maria Lynam Chair, Visual Arts Committee c. You will receive a confirmation from the database coordinator that your on-line entry has been received. General Entry Information: Each photo/image of work submitted for jurying must include the title of the work and the artist’s name, plus middle initial if applicable. Note: Artists can enter as many pieces as they wish, as long as the entry is accompanied with a check or cash to cover the $10 per piece entry fee (non-refundable). There are two submittal options available to artists who enter Gallery exhibits. 1. Paper or CD Method Available for the artist who wants to submit photographs of their entr(ies) either by printing quality photos or submitting images on a CD. Three-dimensional art should have a full view and a detail view. Each photo/image must have the title of the work and the artist’s name, including middle initial if applicable. a. Fill out the Entry Form, found on page two of the Call for Art. b. Attach quality photographs of your art. Images must be at least 4” x 6”. Place a red dot at the top of each image. OR Attach a cd of the images. be .jpg, 300 dpi. b. Entry fees can be mailed or hand-delivered to the PCA Gallery Host Desk, but must be received by the entry due date for electronic files to be juried. Images must c. Attach the Entry Form, photographs and a check to cover the $10 per piece entry fee and handdeliver to the PCA Gallery Host Desk no later than the required due date. Include a SASE with proper postage if you want the photos or cd returned to you. 2. Electronic Method a. Email your entry files and your scanned entry form to pcagallery@hotmail.com (include the title of the exhibit in the subject line). Attached images must be .jpg, 300 dpi, physical size of 4” x 6” or larger. Label files: LastName_EntryTitle_EntryNumber. The entry form has been revised so the actual size of 2D art should be entered along with the framed size. The framed size can be approximate since many artists wait until their work is accepted prior to framing. The PCA Gallery exhibit curators expect art to be as depicted in the entry photos. They also expect entries to be professionally presented. 2-D art must have cleanly cut mats and if under glass, both sides of the glass must be clean with no smudges. The wire on the back of framed art must be placed so that wire and nail are not visible when hung. Sawtooth hangers are not acceptable. For 3-D art, special instructions are appreciated. If a special display will enhance your 3-D entry, please bring it to intake, label it and include it on your entry form. The names of the curators and their contact information are on each Call for Art. If you have any questions, please call or email your query to one of them. The curators strive to adhere to the Notification of Acceptance Date that is on the Call for Art. Every artist is informed of acceptance or non-acceptance. If you do not receive a notification by the date listed, first check your spam. If your notification is not there, don’t hesitate to contact a curator. Notices are sent out using pcagallery@hotmail.com, so make sure that address is on your “acceptable” email list or in your address book. “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Pablo Picasso PAGE 8 PCA Gallery News The annual Scholarship Show opens at 10am on Monday, April 8th. Come by and see the wonderful art that students from grades 8 - 12 have created this year. The PCA Gift Shop is open and the Featured Artist Wall has works by Sukey Jones, multi-media artist. Child’s Play opens on Monday, May 13. Calls for Art are due by Saturday, April 20. Entry forms are available at the Host Desk in the gallery and on-line: http:// www.pfaa.net/current-season.html Click on Call for Art under the exhibit information of Child’s Play. GLASS SUN-CATCHER Instructor: Cindi Shaffer, Saturday, April 13th 9am - Noon or 1:30pm - 4:30pm Explore the possibilities of fused glass! Learn about glass cutting, compatibility of glass for fusing, different types of glass and how changes in kiln temperatures produce different results. Design and complete one 6" textural glass sun-catcher. All materials provided. Class size limited to 6 each. $45 Class located at Astral Glass Studio, 5000 W. Smoki Dr in Prescott. Directions provided upon registration. DIGITAL TRANSFER CLASS Instructor: Maria Lynam, Saturday, May 11th, 9:30am - 4pm (45 minute lunch break) Learn two new exciting digital transfer techniques, Alcohol Transfer on Paper and Gelatin Transfer on Board or Tile. All supplies included; students must send instructor their own images. Contact Maria for more information maria488@cableone.net. $85 Class size limited to 5. GOLD LEAF COLLAGE WORKSHOP Instructor: Maria Lynam, Friday & Saturday, May 24 & 25 9:30a - 4pm (45 minute lunch break) Class size limited to 4. Create an abstract gold leaf collage. Learn to layer papers over gold leaf, paint or add additional elements with collage and other materials to create textured areas. Leave the class with a finished work of art that is exciting, personal and visually interesting. Most of the materials are provided, including the gold leaf and adhesives. Contact the instructor, maria488@cableone.net, for a supply list. $160 Register for all classes at http://www.pfaa.net/register-for-class-visual-arts.html ARTIST CONNECTION PAGE 9 Banksy & Swoon - Vandalism or Art? by Arlene Minuskin Do you know a Banksy from a Swoon? They are two of the many street artists working all over the world. As the art world slowly recognizes the impact of this art movement, there are still many generalizations being made as to what ‘street art’ constitutes. However, this urban environment art encourages the public to discover their cities from a new perspective. BANKSY (birthdate and birth name unknown) is a pseudonym for an England-based graffiti artist, political activist, film director, sculptor, and painter. His work focuses on anti-establishment social commentary. In 2010, his work was featured in the documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. He created 10 street pieces around Park City and Salt Lake City to tie in with the screening. In 2011, the film was nominated for a 2010 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (did not win). He once storyboarded an outrageous version of the Simpson’s couch gag. Banksy Ozone's Angel This is Banksy’s tribute art piece for 19-year-old British graffiti artist, Ozone, who, along with fellow artist, Wants, was hit and killed by an underground train in Barking, East London in 2007. Through photographs, Banksy's identity was speculated to be Robin Gunningham, born in Bristol in 1973. Gunningham was said to be talented at art. Around 2000, when Banksy moved from Bristol to London, Gunningham is known to have moved from Bristol to a London apartment in Hackney. A number of Banksy's most famous works appeared nearby. Banksy first created his work freehand from 1990 –1994. He mentions in his book, Wall and Piece, that as he was starting to do graffiti, he was always too slow and was either caught or could never finish the art in one sitting. So he devised a series of stencils to minimize time and overlapping of the color. Banksy Stonehenge From portable toilets at the Glastonbury Festival June 2007 He also claims that he changed to stenciling while he was hiding from the police under a garbage truck, when he noticed the stenciled serial number. There is dispute in the street art world over the legitimacy of stencils, with many artists criticizing their use as "cheating." In 2007, some of Banksy’s work was auctioned in London, all above their estimated values. Bonham’s auction house sold Space Girl & Bird, £288,000 (US$576,000), around 20 times the estimated value. Sotheby's auctions resulted in the highest ever prices for a Banksy work at auction: over £102,000 for Bombing Middle England; Balloon Girl and Bomb Hugger, £37,200 and £31,200 respectively; Ballerina with Action Man Parts £96,000; Glory £72,000; Untitled (2004) £33,600. Banksy Shop Until You Drop London 2011 VOLUME 2 - ISSUE 2 PAGE 10 On February 18, 2013, BBC News reported that a recent Banksy mural portraying a young child sewing Union Flag bunting (created around the time of the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II) had been removed from the side of a store in north London, and soon appeared for sale in the Floridabased Fine Art Auctions Miami catalogue. This is considered by some to be a theft. FAAM has rejected claims of theft, saying it had signed a contract with a "well-known collector" and that "everything was above board.” The community is still trying to have the work returned. Asked about his technique, Banksy said: “I use whatever it takes. Sometimes that just means drawing a moustache on a girl's face on some billboard, sometimes that means sweating for days over an intricate drawing. Efficiency is the key.” SWOON (birth name Caledonia Dance Curry; b. 1978, New London, CT), grew up in Florida and moved to NYC at the age of 19. She studied painting at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, and started doing street art around 1999. She specializes in life-size wheatpaste prints and paper cutouts of figures. Besides more public places, her work and installations have been exhibited in many museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art (L.A.), Pinchuk Art Center (Kiev), and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Her delicate works are extremely intricate, featuring screened and block printed elements, fine paper cutouts, collage and paper layering, in addition to hand painted finishing. Swoon pastes her works depicting people, often her friends and family, on the streets in various places around the world. Most pieces, including life-size portraits, are pasted on uninhabited locations: abandoned buildings, warehouses, bridges, fire escapes, water towers, and street signs. She does not create her work on private property unless she is invited to do so. Her work is inspired by both historical and folk sources, ranging from German Expressionist wood block prints to Indonesian shadow puppets. Swoon Sambhavna 2011 Awaits installation at Black Rat (photo © Mike Snelle) 2013 Update of Sambhavna: 3/18/13: Christie’s New York Sale Estimate: 8,000-12,000 USD Sold for: 15,000 USD Provenance: Gift of the Artist Swoon and a team formed the Konbit Shelter as part of an art installation/sustainable housing project in Haiti in 2010 in response to the devastating earthquake. Swoon started doing large-scale installations in 2005. In December 2011 Swoon held her first solo exhibit in London, filling the gallery at Black Rat Projects with sculpture and paper cuts. There are many arguments for and against street art, mostly focusing on vandalism. So you decide for yourself. Is it vandalism? Is it art? Swoon, Konbit Shelter, Bigones Village, Haiti Photo courtesy Upper Playground © Tod Seelie PAGE 11 Swoon May 2012 Cover of Juxtapoz Magazine PAGE 12 Grey Matter Gallery Exhibit PAGE 13 Classes Schedules & Notices Schedule of Gallery Exhibits and Events Youth Scholarship Exhibit April 8 - April 30 Glass Sun-Catcher Class, Saturday, April 13 Child’s Play Call for Art - due by Saturday, April 20th. Stop by the Gallery and pick up the entry or visit: http://www.pfaa.net/currentseason.html/ Click on Call for Art under exhibit information Artist Connection is published 4 times per year, containing news about the Prescott Center for the Arts Gallery produced by the Editorial Staff of the Visual Arts Committee. If you would like an electronic copy via e-mail, send an email to pcagallery@hotmail.com with “Artist Connection Request” in the subject line. If you would like the opportunity to include something in upcoming issues, please send an e-mail to pcagallery@hotmail.com with “Newsletter Submission” in the subject line. Thank You Did you know that the Artist whose work is selected Best In Show not only wins a cash award, but is the “Featured Artist” for the next PCA gallery exhibit? Gallery closed from Wed., May1 through Sun., May12 Digital Transfer Class - Sat., May 11 Art and Treasure Sale Saturday, May 11th, 9am-2pm “Child’s Play” Gallery Exhibit Opens May 13 , Opening Reception, May 17, 5-7pm PCA Gallery Visual Arts Committee Meeting Gold Leaf Collage Workshop May 24, Friday & May 25, Saturday May 7th, 3pm in the PCA Gallery June 4th, 3pm in the PCA Gallery “Company of Animals” Gallery Exhibit June 24 - August 17 4th Friday Art Walks 5-7pm, Light Refreshments April 26, May 24, June 28 PCA Gallery & Box Office Hours: Monday - 11am to 3pm Tuesday through Saturday - 10am to 3pm Friends of PCA receive a 10% discount on all Gallery and Gift shop purchases. Artist Connection Sunday - 12pm to 4pm Gallery Only Box Office closed Sunday Volume 2 - Issue 2