I wanted to share info on a recent email I received. The Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA) is planning an exhibit called Doodle Virus and have announced an open call for work. Artists are invited to submit “doodle art, altered postcards, manipulated photos, poems, old receipts or even dimensional work” as long as the footprint is 4″x6″ (in either direction). All work will be mounted anonymously and priced at $20 each. Proceeds will benefit the AcA’s exhibition department to help offset the cost of shipping and transporting works for future shows.
Postcards/work due: June 30th
Opening reception (coincides with Second Saturday Artwalk: July 14th, 6-8pm at the AcA in Lafayette, LA
During the exhibit, the public will be asked to contribute doodles which will be added to the show for the August Artwalk on August 11th, 6-8pm
"The Pack" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 20"w x 10"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
I received some great news recently that my painting The Pack was selected for inclusion in the STAA 47th National Juried Exhibition- The Summer Show. The juror for the show is Miranda Lash, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art for the New Orleans Museum of Art. The Pack is from my In Our Veins series and is an acrylic on canvas, 20″ wide by 10″ high. The exhibit will open July 14th, with an opening reception from 6-9pm at The Art House gallery in Covington, LA. The show will remain open through August 11th, with a closing reception as well from 6-9pm with a talk by several of the exhibiting artists.
Selected artists include: Michael Aldana, Casey Ausman, Peter Barnitz, Emily Binder, Andrew Boyd, Heather Brammeier, Alma Bryan Powell, Joshua Chambers, Yvette Creel, Robert Dutruch, Michael Elliott-Smith, Ellen Fisher, Pippin H. Frisbie-Calder, Richard Gilles, Amy Guidry, Kelly Hider, Jane Hill, Claire Lewis Evans, Patrick Lera, Patrick Luber, Don Maitland, Erin McKee McNutt, Sally Richards, Leslie Robertson, Kate Ryan, Charles Simms, Terry Vermillion, and Jaclyn Warren
"The United States of Consumerism" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 30"w x 24"h; Private Collection; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
First, I should apologize for my absence last week. I have lots going on and much to share, which I will be doing over the week so be on the lookout. As some of you may know, last week the arts community of Louisiana received some sad news- legislators approved a 1/3 cut in Decentralized Arts Funding (DAF) and Statewide Art Grants (SAG). This affects an estimated 148,000 jobs, Louisiana’s tourism industry, as well as artists, teachers, museums, libraries, theaters, art centers, festivals, among others. The news is grim, especially given the fact the Arts tend to be the first that are cut and already do not receive enough funding. I personally know of small museums and art centers that have been struggling to get any kind of funding and risk closing.
So what can we do?
The most obvious answer deals with how we vote and voicing our opinion to local and national politicians. Thanks to the internet and groups such as Louisiana Citizens for the Arts, you can stay up to date on these issues and contact the appropriate individuals with the click of a button. And don’t worry about writing the most profound letter, either. My thoughts are as long as you are writing something, even if it’s just to send the form letter already provided, it will make a difference. All correspondence adds up.
That being said, politicians need to see numbers. Letters and phone calls are great, but it also boils down to whether the public is willing to put their money where their mouth is. You say you love art, but do you really? They need to see the numbers. Numbers being the tourism dollars, the tax revenue, the number of people attending arts events, and so on. If you want to prove that these artists and organizations matter, as well as support them along the way, you need to do the following:
Buy art— Seriously. This is not some propaganda I’m passing along because I’m an artist. If you buy art you’ll support artists, galleries, museums, and art centers so they can continue to thrive in your community rather than closing down or moving somewhere else where they appreciate art. In turn, those sales taxes and income taxes from art speak highly in the eyes of the government. Funding goes to those that make money and are a good investment.
Attend events— Support your local arts community by attending performances, exhibit openings, lectures, and so forth. You’ll have an entertaining evening and know you’re making a difference in the process. Even if it’s a free event, you’re still helping because those numbers matter.
Sign the guestbook— So many people attend an event and pass by the guestbook without signing. Maybe you don’t think it’s important or you are weary to share your information. Whatever the case may be, you need to sign the guestbook. Those names translate to numbers. Museums and art centers report those numbers in order to prove their importance and receive funding. No one wants to support a museum if they have no visitors. So sign your name- you don’t have to give any other information unless you want to- as long as there is a name, it adds to the numbers.
Become a member— Aside from government funding, these organizations receive funds from, well, you! Paying for an event is great, but if you really want to help, become a member. You can join any or all, and there are various levels for joining most groups. Many museums and art centers offer general membership at reasonable rates, some offer rates for students and seniors, so check their websites.
How do you support the Arts? Feel free to add ideas in the comments section.
"Perspective" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4" x 4"; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
I’ve just added another new painting to my In Our Veins series. It is a 4″ x 4″ painting, acrylic on canvas, $100, titled Perspective. This is yet another example of why I use such tiny paintbrushes. The hare heads are about the size of a dime. The heads are representative of the typical view of animals- that they are simply a means to an end and are just parts and pieces we use or eat as opposed to sentient beings. I, however, don’t see them this way- hence the title Perspective– which is why I depict them in a manner that emphasizes the expressions of their faces or light colored, “human-looking” eyes.
"Symbiotic" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 11"w x 14"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
Quick post today- lots going on and I’ll have plenty to share on here later so be on the lookout. The 3-person exhibition that I currently have at Barrister’s Gallery in New Orleans recently received a great write-up in the Gambit Weekly. Eric Bookhardt attended our exhibit, “Visions of the Unnatural World,” and gave us a positive review which you can check out here: www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2012/05/15/review-new-works-at-barristers-gallery. The show is currently up through June 2nd.
For a change of pace, I will serve as the juror for the upcoming LAA “Eye of the Beholder” exhibition in Lafayette, LA. I was honored to be asked and more than happy to be this year’s juror. I’m excited to see the work that is submitted, especially as I am sure to see work by new artists and those that are just new to me, in addition to new work by artists that are fixtures in the art community here. The competition is regional and open to anyone in from Texas to Florida. Submission dates are May 16- 25, which is right around the corner, so get your entries in soon. Also, it is an open themed show, so don’t get too caught up in the exhibit title. More information can be found on the Lafayette Art Association website at this link: http://lafayetteart.org/wp/2012/05/eye-of-the-beholder-xxvi-submit-may-16-25/
“The Sum of Its Parts” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 11″w x 14″h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
I have finally finished the painting that I mentioned last week. I’m excited to reveal my latest work in the In Our Veins series titled The Sum of Its Parts. It is 11″ wide by 14″ high and an acrylic on canvas. I think I set a record for going through the most paintbrushes in one painting. I took artistic liberties with the size and placement of the stag’s heart to emphasize its significance and to center it up with the animals falling out. Without being too graphic, I wanted to illustrate when one species dies, many other species are affected. Each animal serves a role in the life cycle, together forming the delicate balance of nature. The trees not only close in the composition, but connect with the animals via the roots seen at the bottom and illustrate the role of plant life and the Earth. The butterflies, which are often seen throughout this series, serve as metaphors for life and beautiful little reminders of our short existence in the scheme of things. A larger view of the painting can be seen here: www.amyguidry.com/sum-of-its-parts.html.
"Wolfpack" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 12" x 12"; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
It’s been an insanely busy week, hence my lack of posting sooner. The good news is I will be revealing a new painting I’ve been slaving over for quite some time, so be on the lookout for it. I also have an upcoming show which is just a couple of weeks away. I will be in a 3-person exhibit at Barrister’s Gallery in New Orleans next month with Nikki Crook and Monique Ligons. I’ll be showing works from my In Our Veins series, my most recent body of work. This should be a really fun show and opening night will also be held in conjunction with the SCAD Artwalk, May 12th from 6-9pm. For those of you that would like to get a sneak preview, you can check it out here: www.barristersgallery.com/upcoming.html.
I’m just now getting around to posting photos from the opening reception of the 15th International Open. My painting Fleeting was selected for the exhibit at Woman Made Gallery by guest juror Linda Warren of Linda Warren Gallery, also in Chicago. Here are a few of the photos from opening night- more are on my website at www.amyguidry.com/events.html. The good news is there is still time to see it since the show is up now through April 26th.
“Mushrooms” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 5″ x 5″; (c) Amy Guidry; SOLD
“Snail” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 5″ x 5″; (c) Amy Guidry; SOLD
Two more paintings from my New Realm series have recently found new homes. Both Mushrooms and Snail are acrylic on canvas, 5″ x 5″ paintings from the New Realm 5 x 5 series. The 5 x 5’s spotlighted different characters and elements from the larger paintings in the series. Both paintings were sold at the Masur Museum of Art’s Off the Wall fundraiser in which part of the proceeds benefit the museum. To view more paintings from the entire series, go to this direct link: www.amyguidry.com/beginning.html.
