#SpeakTheirNamesArt

Through art, I have made some connections with some amazing folks.

Two of those people, Kianga Jinaki and Joyce Brown, got together to curate a show dedicated to addressing gun violence in the form of healing art.  I have known these ladies for a little while now- both through Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery.  Joyce runs the gallery and also the Flamingo Clay Studio and Kianga was an artist in the gallery co-op when I first met her.  Both ladies extended kindness to me before they even really knew me.  

(Left) Kiango is such a DOLL! ...no really, she MAKES dolls! (Right) Pic with Joyce from the IMPACT 100 awards at Lynn Univeristy.

Kianga and I kinda met over a carload of textile treasures that she contacted me to come and pick up, smiling and saying, 'oh, there's plenty more!' I have visited Kianga's home.  We have hugged tight at art events, each cheering each other on as women, artists and teachers.  We joke that we are 'fiber sisters'...but we really are connected by the cloth.

My colleague, Brent, introduced me to Joyce during our teacher workdays when I first started.  Joyce immediately expressed wanting to work with my students at LWHS, to work together to provide materials and experiences to them through grants......and she came through with the supplies and experiences for my students.  I have been by her side for grant meetings, and she even opened up her gallery for Brent and I to show work two years in a row.  She is tiny in stature, but her love for art and community are larger than life.  

So when they said they were doing this show- it was a no brainer that I would submit work.  And I did.

My art friend JaFleu, also a prolific artist and participant in the show,  asked me for a statement regarding the following question,

 "Why do you feel it was important to take part of this exhibition, and what do you as an artist hope to do to make the world better?"

Here is my answer;

As an artist and an educator, it was important for me to participate in this show because I feel that each life lost to senseless gun violence is a possibility for good in this world, untapped potential that the world will never see. Regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, uniformed or civilian- I stand on the side of love. My works express the duality of feelings that I have on the issue of gun violence, that of sadness and also the wish to lift up the memory of those that have passed by being a positive force in this world.

Panoramic from the opening...over 200 folks came through the gallery doors!