ArtServe Michigan Announces Winning Artists For Launch of New Program Supporting Local Talent

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Created on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 17:43

ArtServe Michigan Announces Winning Artists For Launch of New Program Supporting Local Talent

WIXOM, Mich. – After receiving nearly 100 entries from artists around Southeast Michigan, ArtServe Michigan, Michigan's leading statewide arts and cultural advocacy organization, has announced the nine artists producing shares for ArtServe's inaugural Community Supported Art (CSA) program.

The Community Supported Art (CSA) program is modeled after Community Supported Agriculture programs where consumers are able to purchase shares of seasonal food directly from local farmers. For this "growing season" the artists will create 50 artworks or "shares," produced with a $1,000 stipend from the program.

• Alyssa Baron-Klask, West Bloomfield, Animation/Poster Art/Zine: contributing a full-color mini-zine including stills from her 2-3 minute animation to be projected on a downtown Detroit building, which folds out to an 11x17 limited edition poster promoting the event and including a ticket to the screening

• Carrie Dickason, Hamtramck, Sculpture: contributing "Fruit," a freestanding branch bearing a cluster of the gold-leafed packages suspended from the ends that connects to a base covered with lively looking plastic grass. Shareholders will receive individually wrapped components with simple instructions for assembling the sculpture

• Ismael Duran, Detroit, Music: contributing two songs – with a message of solidarity, justice generosity and freedom – he will record with youth from southwest Detroit and a special invitation to attend a recording session with Ismael and the youth participants

• Jessica Frelinghuysen, Hamtramck, Wearable Sculpture/Conceptual Art Print: contributing a new edition of Paper Helmets: foldable, wearable paper sculptures that can be constructed out of one piece of a limited edition, screen-printed paper or displayed as a conceptual flat print

• Sean Hages, Ferndale, Collages on Wood: contributing original collages on wood with themes of food, love, the unexplained and humor

• Emily Linn and Alana Bartol, Detroit, Jewelry: contributing original necklaces from the Detroit Diamonds Project jewelry line, in which Detroit Diamonds – glittering, blue/green jewels that are actually repurposed pieces of broken, car-window glass collected from the streets of Detroit – will be enclosed in a small, clear glass vial on a delicate silver chain

• Stacey Malasky and Patrick Crouch, Detroit, Literary Art: contributing an eight-panel, accordion-style, Letterpress-printed book with a soft wraparound cover, featuring the story of a little boy who moves to a new place, but finds comfort and discovers a sense of place through the powerful and transformative act of gardening, growing an enormous cucumber

• Wesley Taylor and Invincible, Detroit, Music Boxes: contributing ornate, battery-powered music boxes featuring a series of LED generated rotating light and shadow scenes relating to the lyrics of original song "Apple Orchards," written and performed by Invincible, that plays when opened

• Elizabeth Wight, Livonia, Photography: contributing a 20-page, 8x6 soft-cover book showcasing a collection of images highlighting the leading personalities who represent Detroit and the surrounding areas

Consumers will be able purchase "shares" for $350 beginning March 19, 2012 at 10 a.m., until shares are sold out. Shareholders will receive 3 "farm boxes" of the locally produced artwork once per month April through June 2012. Shareholder information is available at csa.artservemichigan.org.

A jury comprised of local artists and arts professionals selected each of the nine artists. Participating jurors were: Mira Burack, visual artist and assistant director of the Kresge Arts in Detroit program; Lynn Crawford, published author and art critic; Vievee Francis, published poet and associate editor for Callaloo Journal; and Joel Peterson, multi-instrumentalist, composer and music programmer.

"The jurors were faced with the unenviable task of selecting our first group of artists from the wealth of talent among so many worthy entries, but we have an exciting group of creative practitioners for our inaugural growing season," said Cezanne Charles, director of creative industries for ArtServe. "We are confident this diverse group of artists will engage the community of local arts supporters, providing shareholders with the opportunity to discover new artists from multiple disciplines to expand their artistic palates."

This local project is modeled on the successful CSA program in Minneapolis/St. Paul – created by mnartists.org and Springboard for the Arts and supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. ArtServe Michigan will be looking for partners in Grand Rapids, Lansing/East Lansing, Marquette, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, Flint and Traverse City/Petoskey for seasons later in 2012 and in 2013.

ArtServe Michigan is a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to cultivating the creative potential of Michigan's arts and cultural sector to enhance the public health and well-being of Michigan, its people and communities. ArtServe advocates for arts, culture and arts education in Michigan; provides leadership and professional development for arts and cultural organizations and artists; and connects arts and cultural leaders and supporters through strategic communications. Contact ArtServe Michigan at 248-912-0760 or visit ArtServeMichigan.org.

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