THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME: A Creative Collaboration

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for The Shape of Things to Come: A Creative Collaboration, an art exhibition featuring artists Sharon Keyser- Jackson, Cynthia Farrell Johnson, Desiree Sterbini, Sherry Burton Ways, Lezetta Moyer, Betty Farrell opening January 5, 2011 at the Sandy Spring Museum in Sandy Spring, MD. Please join us for the Opening Reception on Sunday, January 9, 2011 from 2PM to 4PM.

Inducted on PeaceXPeace Board of Directors!

Hello All! I know it has been a while since I blogged. However, I just wanted you to know that I have been recently inducted as the newest member into the Board of Peace x Peace. The mission of Peace x Peace, a Washington, DC based, non –profit organization, is to advocate for effective ,sustained policies and programs that support the advancement of women. The organization “Acts as the connection point, which facilitates dialogue and exchange between women in the Arab and Muslim countries and the Western world. It helps reduce misunderstandings and stereotypes”. Created in 2002 by Patricia Smith Melton and six other woman rights advocates, Peace x Peace was established to help bring harmony to women internationally through social networking and other forms of media.

As the newest board member, I will contribute my leadership expertise, help generate new fundraising activities, and use her marketing acumen to bring increased awareness and donations to the organization. My interest in international affairs was generated through my experience working under President Bill Clinton’s women and girls focused Africa education initiative.

Through this organization, I plan to contribute my artwork and build my dollmaking around peace for women all over the world. I hope you join me in this endeavor!


For more information about Peace x Peace, go to www.peacexpeace.org.

SAVE THE DATE: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME EXHIBITION JANUARY 5 -MARCH 27 2011

Hello world! Just wanted to let you know I will be in another exhibition at the start of the new year at the Sandy Spring Museum in Sandy Spring, Maryland! It is entitled The Shape of Things to Come. I am honored to be the doll artist among some extremely talented women artists of the Washington, DC area.

A Creative Collaboration

It all started when Cynthia Farrell Johnson, a painter, met Sharon Keyser Jackson, a fiber artist. Each admired the work of the other. They mused about the possibility of doing a joint project some day. A little over a year after that initial conversation, they hit upon an idea. Johnson would create four designs and Sharon would interpret them as tapestries. Johnson invited longtime friend and an extraordinary quilter, Lezetta Moyer, Johnson to join the group. The next artist drawn into the project was Johnson’s sister, Betty Farrell, an accomplished knitter who has collaborated with her sister in the past. When Desiree Sterbini, who does exquisite oil pastels, heard about the project, she wanted to join. Wanting to find a way to bring a three-dimensional artist into the mix, and remembering a doll exhibition they had seen at Sandy Spring Museum, the group invited Sherry Burton Ways to join. Altogether their work celebrates the many ways that artists express themselves. The titles from each of Johnson’s original paintings form the common thread.

They are:

--Out of Kilter

--Balm in Gilead

--In Full Bloom

--Hearts and Minds.

These titles hold a different meaning for each person. The goal was not to copy Johnson's initial design, but rather to express the meaning each one held for the artists. The titles, colors, and moods inspired these artists’ derivative works in unique ways.

This is the shape of things to come. If we are to create something new, we form creative collaborations. It is the best way forward.

Here are the particulars:

Exhibition Dates: January 5- March 27, 2011
Opening Reception: January 9, 2011

Location:
Sandy Spring Museum
17901 Bentley Road
Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860

More to come!

Join Me on Friday, November 5th for Art, Wine & Conversation at the Tubman Mahan Art Gallery!

Moi chatting with patrons during the grand opening of the Recreate Exhibit.


My mixed media artwork piece using recycled materials. Yang Mama!

Join me and the other artists of ReCREATE for a glass of wine and conversation at the Tubman Mahan Art Gallery at the Center for Green Urbanism on Friday, November 5, 2010 from 6 pm to 8 pm. The Center for Green Urbanism is located at 3938 Benning Road, NE, Washington, DC.

Hear from me and the artists about how we created our artwork using eco-friendly and recyclable materials and tour the Center and learn more about the gallery space and the business incubator program.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Friday, November 5 · 6:00pm - 8:00pm

The Center for Green Urbanism
3938 Benning Road, NE
Washington, DC

My HOT FLASH Interview in Pamela Hastings New Book!

I am honored to be included in Pamela Hasting's new book entitled, Hot Flash! A Celebration. Pamela is a wonderful nationally renowned doll maker. Through some informal conversations late last year, she invited me to join some of the most talented and creative doll artists across the country to interpret the meaning through a doll of Hotflash.

Now just so you know, I am not in my menopausal years yet, but know enough about it through watching my mother go through it as I was going through my puberty to teen years!

This book is a seven-year project undertaken by Pam. It is an inspiring collection of stories and images of dolls and paintings, on the wide-ranging theme of HOT FLASH--inspiring stories from women from all walks of life. Once you read this you will want to share this with your friends, and add your own experiences to the mix.

I was asked to fill out a short questionnaire about Hot Flash and what it means to me. Check me out on Page 98-99. Here are a few of my answers:

Question: What does the term HOT FLASH mean to you?
Me: It means the most important time in a woman’s life when she transitions to a mature, accomplished, and meaningful life.

Question: What did you always dream of doing? Have you done it, and if so, would you tell us about how you were able to fulfill your dream? Have you done/accomplished anything since you turned 25/40/60 that has surprised you, surprised your family or other people? If so, how has that achievement changed how you see yourself? Has it changed your remaining aspirations?

Me: I always dreamed of being a musician. A singer, songwriter and producer. I have not done it yet. But some day I will. Bought a guitar some years ago and need to get my lessons. I have started two creative businesses one an interior design firm and the other a mixed media art studio. Both of which have studios outside the home which I am proud of, surprised by me and my family members. This accomplishment has changed my thinking and I have truly been inspired by what one person said to me several years ago “I believe you can be successful at anything you set your mind to.”

Question: What advice at your age now....would you give to yourself at age....? Would the younger you have listened to the older you? How would that have changed the way your life is now?

Me: The best advice I can give someone at my age is not to take yourself too seriously and always follow your dreams. Find what it is you are meant to do on this earth and do it! Knowing how I was when I was younger I probably would not have listened to me. If I had of followed the advice I am giving now, I probably would have had a much happier and meaningful life in my 20’s and 30’s.

To get more of the interview, I invite you to purchase this book. Go to Pam's website and order it here

Enjoy!

My Next Exhibition "RECREATE: The Art of the Recycled!"

Join 20 of the area’s top visual artists for the opening reception of ReCREATE “The Art of the Recycled” from 6 to 8 p.m. October 15 at the grand opening of the Center for Green Urbanism, DC’s new art-infused green business incubator. The Center provides office and event space to small businesses and start-up companies. During the grand opening reception, the in-house Tubman-Mahan Art Gallery, will debut original works created from recyclable and “eco-friendly” material. The center is located at 3938 Benning Road NE, Washington, DC.

Invited guests include Mayor Adrian Fenty; DC Council Chair Vince Gray; Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander; Gloria A. Nauden, Executive Director, DC Commission on Arts and Humanities, and Marvin Bowser, Commissioner (Ward 7), DC Commission on Arts and Humanities.


“ReCREATE is an opportunity to view how 20 local and national artists use everyday items we take for granted or discard to create stunning works of art! Keeping in line with the Center’s “green” theme, the Tubman-Mahan Art Gallery will focus on work created with an environmental eye,” said Curator Sharon Burton, president of Authentic Contemporary Art. “Join us for what will be an evening of art, music and a true fusion of eco-creativity. Live music by Jazz Flutist Arch Thompson, will provide the ideal entertainment to accompany the amazing work on display.”

*ReCREATE will be on display through November 13. Artists, include:*

Chuck Baxter

Sandra Davis

Jim Duckworth

Chava Evans

Erica Fallin

Magaly Gaza

Christopher Golden

Gints Grinbergs

Rania Hassan

Sean Hennessey

Roxanne Jarrett

Guru Sangat Khalsa

Gloria Kirk

Marla Mclean

Rose Mosner

Jordan Quintero

Wendy Rabinowitz

Kathy Turner

Ja'Ski Watkins

Sherry Ways


The ReCREATE opening reception will culminate a day-long grand opening celebration for the new Center for Green Urbanism, which begins at 2 pm with a ribbon cutting and press conference and continues with center tours, and eco-interior design discussions.

RSVP to Natasha Brown of Think Brown INK, Natasha@thinkbrownink.com or
240-304-6354.

*About the Center for Green Urbanism *

The mission of the Center for Green Urbanism is to create a business-friendly environment that provides startups with affordable office space and business services in a sustainable and energy-efficient green demonstration facility. We are located in downtown Ward 7, Washington, DC. Meeting spaces are available and Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the facility. The Center is a design model for a “living green business” in an urban setting, by decreasing carbon footprint – promoting home gardening, using energy efficient lighting and appliances, solar shade window treatments, a purified drinking water system, water saving devices and the recycling of trash and waste. *Learn more at
**http://www.centerforgreenurbanism.org*

*About Authentic Contemporary Art (ACA)*

ReCREATE Curator Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art will provide curatorial services and management of contemporary art exhibitions in the Center’s Tubman-Mahan Gallery; ACA was founded in 2005 and now serves as an alternative source for emerging and contemporary art. Based in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area, ACA creates opportunities for art collectors and emerging contemporary artists to connect through exhibitions and other events. *Learn more at www.authenticartonline.com

Sankofa Studio Open During Passageways Open Studio- September 19th

Sankofa Doll Artistry CEO Sherry Ways will open her studio for shopping and socializing as part of the Passageways Artist Studios Open Studios event. Ways is one of 10 artists who will have their studios open for browsing and discussion.

Stop by see the latest doll creations and other artwork, have some refreshments.

Date: September 19, 2010 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Passageways Artist Studios
East Pines Shopping Center
6001 66th Avenue
Riverdale, Maryland