GUARDIANS OF THE GARDEN
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permanent installation on site in garden
(On display in the ARTISTS' COOPERATIVE GALLERY before permanent outdoor installation.)
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FEMALE: 80" X 22' x 25.875" MALE: 75" X 20" X 31"
MATERIALS: Iridized, mirror & stained glass, copper wire, cement, found hoe and fork
MATERIALS: Iridized, mirror & stained glass, copper wire, cement, found hoe and fork
MEMORIAL
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51" X 20" X 31"
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY
I HAD WANTED TO BUILD A LIBRARY FOR YEARS.
AFTER OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH DECIDED TO MOVE AND BUILD ELSEWHERE, FOLLOWED BY A YEAR OF LOSSES CULMINATING WITH THE DEATH OF MY BELOVED FATHER, I WAS GALVANIZED TO BEGIN. THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT MADE ANY SENSE AT THE TIME WAS TO COUNTERACT WITH SOMETHING, POSITIVE, BEAUTIFUL, AND TRANSFORMATIVE.
THE LIBRARY IS ALSO AN ART GALLERY / ART EXCHANGE WITH AN INTERIOR “LOFT” WHICH CAN DISPLAY SMALL TWO AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARTWORKS.
AFTER OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH DECIDED TO MOVE AND BUILD ELSEWHERE, FOLLOWED BY A YEAR OF LOSSES CULMINATING WITH THE DEATH OF MY BELOVED FATHER, I WAS GALVANIZED TO BEGIN. THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT MADE ANY SENSE AT THE TIME WAS TO COUNTERACT WITH SOMETHING, POSITIVE, BEAUTIFUL, AND TRANSFORMATIVE.
THE LIBRARY IS ALSO AN ART GALLERY / ART EXCHANGE WITH AN INTERIOR “LOFT” WHICH CAN DISPLAY SMALL TWO AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARTWORKS.
31.25" X 22" X 25.875"
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FRONT MOSAIC
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RIGHT SIDE
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BACK
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LEFT SIDE
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TOP
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CHARTER # AND DEDICATION
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PLAY ME I'M YOURS
“PLAY ME I’M YOURS” IS AN INTERNATIONAL INTERACTIVE PUBLIC ARTS PROJECT INITIATED BY BRITISH ARTIST LUKE JERRAM IN 2008. PIANOS EMBELLISHED BY ARTISTS ARE PLACED IN PUBLIC GATHERING SPACES ALL OVER THE WORLD AND ALL ARE INVITED TO PAUSE, PLAY, AND ENJOY. FROM AUGUST 23RD TO SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2013 THE OMAHA CREATIVE INSTITUTE BROUGHT THIS PROJECT TO THE OMAHA METRO AREA. PARTNERING WITH THE COUNCIL BLUFFS PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION, OCI PLACED ONE OF THE PIANOS IN BAYLISS PARK, COUNCIL BLUFFS, AND I WAS INVITED TO DECORATE THIS PIANO. MINDFUL OF THE LOCATION, I ADDED DETAILS PERTINENT TO THE SITE: A SCENE FROM BAYLISS PARK PAINTED ON THE LOWER PANEL, AS WELL AS SCULPTED TREE TRUNKS, BRANCHES, LEAVES, NEST AND EVEN A BLACK SQUIRREL. THE PIANO ALSO INCLUDES ACTIVITIES FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT MUSICALLY INCLINED. ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PIANO IS A PANEL WHICH OPENS TO PROVIDE AN INTERIOR SPACE FOR WATERCOLOR, AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PIANO IS A SPACE FOR DRAWING WITH CHALK.
THIS COMMEMORATIVE DRAWING WAS COMMISSIONED IN MAY 2012 FOR THE HEALING GARDEN DEDICATION AND THE KICK-OFF OF COUNCIL BLUFFS CHI HEALTH/MERCY HOSPITAL'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. IMAGERY INCLUDES THE MERCY CROSS, HOSPITAL FACADE, STATUE OF MARY AND FOUNTAIN FROM THE GARDEN, AND THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES FROM THE DEDICATION BUTTERFLY RELEASE.
TARA HEIGHTS IS GOLDEN
"TARA HEIGHTS IS GOLDEN" IS A SCULPTURE MARKING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF TARA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN PAPILLION, NEBRASKA. IT IS A CONCRETE SCULPTURE CONSISTING OF THREE COLUMNS WHICH INCLUDE 5 MOSAIC SEGMENTS REPRESENTING EACH DECADE OF THE SCHOOL'S HISTORY. 5TH GRADE STUDENTS RESEARCHED AND CREATED INDIVIDUAL GLASS MOSAIC PANELS REFLECTING SCHOOL, LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL HISTORY AND EVENTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY AND STAFF CREATED INDIVIDUAL DRAWINGS ON GLASS TILES. ALL OF THESE WERE COMBINED AND ORGANIZED INTO EACH DECADE'S MOSAIC SEGMENT.
THIS YEAR-LONG PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY THE NEBRASKA ARTS COUNCIL. THE SCULPTURE WAS INSTALLED IN JULY AND DEDICATED ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2010. (THIS PROJECT AND THE ACCOMPANYING RESIDENCY BUILT UPON A PRECEDING PROJECT AND RESIDENCY WHICH RESULTED IN A GLASS RELIEF MOSAIC FOR THE SCHOOL'S BUTTERFLY GARDEN.)
COLUMN 1: 98.5” X 21” X 21, COLUMN 2: 80” X 21” X 21”, COLUMN 3: 61” X 21” X 21
THE LANDFILL ART PROJECT
I WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN "THE LANDFILL ART PROJECT" -- A GLOBAL ARTIST RECLAMATION INITIATIVE. THE PROJECT INVOLVED OVER 1,041 ARTISTS WORLD-WIDE AND THE COMPLETED PIECES HAVE BEGUN TRAVELING IN EXHIBITION. EACH ARTIST RECEIVED AN OLD METAL HUBCAP (FROM THE 1930'S THROUGH THE 1970'S) AND TRANSFORMED IT INTO ART, THUS KEEPING IT OUT OF THE LANDFILL. SINCE I OFTEN WORK WITH FOUND OBJECTS AND DISCARDED MATERIAL, I WAS IMMEDIATELY INTRIGUED. THE PIECE I DID (BELOW) CONTINUES RECENT EXPLORATIONS WITH NEST - EGG - FEATHER IMAGERY. THE TITLE REFERS TO THE CYCLE OF LIFE AS WELL AS THE IMPETUS FOR THIS PROJECT.
I WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN "THE LANDFILL ART PROJECT" -- A GLOBAL ARTIST RECLAMATION INITIATIVE. THE PROJECT INVOLVED OVER 1,041 ARTISTS WORLD-WIDE AND THE COMPLETED PIECES HAVE BEGUN TRAVELING IN EXHIBITION. EACH ARTIST RECEIVED AN OLD METAL HUBCAP (FROM THE 1930'S THROUGH THE 1970'S) AND TRANSFORMED IT INTO ART, THUS KEEPING IT OUT OF THE LANDFILL. SINCE I OFTEN WORK WITH FOUND OBJECTS AND DISCARDED MATERIAL, I WAS IMMEDIATELY INTRIGUED. THE PIECE I DID (BELOW) CONTINUES RECENT EXPLORATIONS WITH NEST - EGG - FEATHER IMAGERY. THE TITLE REFERS TO THE CYCLE OF LIFE AS WELL AS THE IMPETUS FOR THIS PROJECT.
(The text painted in the center of the hubcap is from "Spring" from WALDEN by Henry David Thoreau.)
TARA HEIGHTS BUTTERFLY MOSAIC
THE MOSAIC BELOW WAS INSTALLED AND DEDICATED ON APRIL 23rd, 2009, AT TARA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN PAPILLION, NE, TO HONOR ANN DANNER, THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION TEACHER. IT HANGS ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING ABOVE THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN WHICH SHE INITIATED. IN A RESIDENCY FUNDED BY THE NEBRASKA ARTS COUNCIL, THE ARTIST WORKED WITH KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS AND STAFF TO CREATE INDIVIDUAL CERAMIC FACE TILES WHICH COMPRISE THE WINGS AND BODY OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY. THE SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS DID RESEARCH, PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS, AND DETERMINED THE THEME. THEY ALSO ARRANGED AND ADHERED THE CLAY TILES AND GLASS NUGGETS IN THE MONARCH WINGS AND BORDER DESIGN.
GROUNDS FOR ART, CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA
THREE CULTIGEN SCULPTURES WERE INCLUDED IN "GROUNDS FOR ART" PUBLIC SCULPTURE PROJECT IN CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA. THEY WERE SITED AT GREENE SQUARE PARK, CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, AND WERE ON DISPLAY 2008 THROUGH 2009, WITH A BRIEF HIATUS DURING THE CEDAR RAPIDS FLOOD,
REACH FOR YOUR DREAMS--OLYMPIC SWIM TRIALS
"DREAMS AND REALIZATIONS"
IN 2008 OMAHA WAS THE SITE OF THE OLYMPIC SWIM TRIALS. MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY INITIATED AND FUNDED THE "REACH FOR YOUR DREAMS" PROJECT WHICH PAIRED THREE DIFFERENT ARTISTS WITH THREE YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN OMAHA TO CREATE COLLABORATIVE ARTWORK BASED ON THIS THEME. I WAS SELECTED TO WORK WITH THE YOUTH AT GIRLS, INC. TO CREATE TWO 72" X 72" MIXED MEDIA CANVAS PANELS.
I MET WITH SIX DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, AGES 5 THROUGH 18, TO CREATE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF "MY DREAM" IN A VARIETY OF MEDIA AND TECHNIQUES. THEN A CORE GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BRAINSTORMED A DESIGN, PAINTED THE BACKGROUND, COLLAGED THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS TOGETHER AND ADDED PATTERN, ORGINAL POETRY, AND TEXT. THESE PANELS WERE ON DISPLAY DURING THE SWIM TRIALS AT THE QUEST CENTER AND WERE LATER INSTALLED AT GIRLS, INC.
"DREAMS AND REALIZATIONS"
IN 2008 OMAHA WAS THE SITE OF THE OLYMPIC SWIM TRIALS. MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY INITIATED AND FUNDED THE "REACH FOR YOUR DREAMS" PROJECT WHICH PAIRED THREE DIFFERENT ARTISTS WITH THREE YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN OMAHA TO CREATE COLLABORATIVE ARTWORK BASED ON THIS THEME. I WAS SELECTED TO WORK WITH THE YOUTH AT GIRLS, INC. TO CREATE TWO 72" X 72" MIXED MEDIA CANVAS PANELS.
I MET WITH SIX DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, AGES 5 THROUGH 18, TO CREATE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF "MY DREAM" IN A VARIETY OF MEDIA AND TECHNIQUES. THEN A CORE GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BRAINSTORMED A DESIGN, PAINTED THE BACKGROUND, COLLAGED THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS TOGETHER AND ADDED PATTERN, ORGINAL POETRY, AND TEXT. THESE PANELS WERE ON DISPLAY DURING THE SWIM TRIALS AT THE QUEST CENTER AND WERE LATER INSTALLED AT GIRLS, INC.
"GILL IN GOLD" - OMAHA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
THE FOLLOWING DIPTYCH WAS CREATED FOR THE OMAHA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WHILE THE ARTIST WAS IN RESIDENCE. VISITORS AND STAFF CREATED THE FACE TILES AS WELL AS ADDING SIGNATURES ON THE BACKGROUND SPACES.
THE FOLLOWING DIPTYCH WAS CREATED FOR THE OMAHA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WHILE THE ARTIST WAS IN RESIDENCE. VISITORS AND STAFF CREATED THE FACE TILES AS WELL AS ADDING SIGNATURES ON THE BACKGROUND SPACES.
MISSOURI RIVER TRANSIT
"MISSOURI RIVER TRANSIT" IS PART OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK ICON INTERPRETIVE SCULPTURE PROJECT. IT IS A FUSED, CAST, AND STAINED GLASS MOSAIC DEPICTING THE VESSELS USED ON THE JOURNEY AND THE PAST AND PRESENT RIVER CHANNEL. IT IS LOCATED AT DODGE RIVERSIDE GOLF CLUB IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.
"MISSOURI RIVER TRANSIT" IS PART OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK ICON INTERPRETIVE SCULPTURE PROJECT. IT IS A FUSED, CAST, AND STAINED GLASS MOSAIC DEPICTING THE VESSELS USED ON THE JOURNEY AND THE PAST AND PRESENT RIVER CHANNEL. IT IS LOCATED AT DODGE RIVERSIDE GOLF CLUB IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.
SENTINELS
"SENTINELS" ARE A SERIES OF 13 CEMENT AND GLASS MOSAIC SCULPTURES RANGING IN SIZE FROM 77" X 12" DIAMETER TO 14" X 7.5" DIAMETER.
9 WERE EXHIBITED AT "ELEMENTS: AN ENVIRONMENTAL ART EXHIBIT" AT FONTINELLE FOREST NATURE CENTER (Omaha, NE), 2003, AND 3 WERE EXHIBITED AT "ART IN BLOOM", LAURITZEN GARDENS (Omaha, NE) 2003.’
"SENTINELS" ARE A SERIES OF 13 CEMENT AND GLASS MOSAIC SCULPTURES RANGING IN SIZE FROM 77" X 12" DIAMETER TO 14" X 7.5" DIAMETER.
9 WERE EXHIBITED AT "ELEMENTS: AN ENVIRONMENTAL ART EXHIBIT" AT FONTINELLE FOREST NATURE CENTER (Omaha, NE), 2003, AND 3 WERE EXHIBITED AT "ART IN BLOOM", LAURITZEN GARDENS (Omaha, NE) 2003.’
"DILUVIAN"
WAS EXHIBITED IN "ELEMENTS:
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ARTS EXHIBIT"
AT FONTENELLE FOREST,
(OMAHA, NE) IN 2002.
70 1/2" X 24" DIAMETER
PHOENIX HOUSE
PHOENIX HOUSE COMMISSION--RELIEF SCULPTURE ON DISPLAY IN THE LOBBY OF PHOENIX HOUSE WOMEN'S SHELTER, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA
"81.5" X 48" X 7.5"
J. DOE PROJECT
"EMERGING"-- PART OF OMAHA'S J. DOE PUBLIC ART PROJECT. SPONSORED BY AND EXHIBITED IN FRONT OF THE INDIAN OVEN RESTAURANT IN THE OLD MARKET. MAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER, 2001. NOW ON DISPLAY IN THE ART CENTER, IOWA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
"EMERGING"-- PART OF OMAHA'S J. DOE PUBLIC ART PROJECT. SPONSORED BY AND EXHIBITED IN FRONT OF THE INDIAN OVEN RESTAURANT IN THE OLD MARKET. MAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER, 2001. NOW ON DISPLAY IN THE ART CENTER, IOWA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
PERIPATETIC SUITE
"The Garden Series: Peripatetic Suite" is a series of drawings begun prior to my daughter's trip to England and France in 1998 which coincided with a sculpture residency I had scheduled in Harrison County, Iowa. Intially we joked about the symmetry of our experiences--she would be in Paris when I was in Pisgah, she'd be in London when I was in Little Sioux.... From those musings came the notion of creating small original works of art that would be left behind in atypical places to be discovered by unsuspecting passers by--more or less a reverse souvenir. My daughter would visit new locales and leave behind a memento, while I would be doing the same thing in all the sites of my residency. What resulted was a series of 47 images, with 2 or 3 unique drawings of each image. All are 2" x 2", done in watercolor, colored pencil and graphite, encased in acetate with an explanatory label on the reverse. I have kept one of each image as documentation and the rest have been distributed. Over 50 original drawings have been left in cafes, post offices, churches, museums, castles, airports, telephone booths, train stations, parks, hotels, etc. I am intrigued by the idea of people finding a gift of original artwork, and the unexpectedness and directness of their encounter with art. (Though my contact information was on the reverse, I have only had a response from two people in the states who found the artworks.)
