I hope this update finds you well and safe in this new year. Many thanks to those of you who took the time to respond to my request for your thoughts regarding the information in the October Update. Your feedback is very helpful and is an inspiration especially in these difficult times.
THE VIRTUAL GALLERY . . .
Our virtual gallery has been updated - adding a ADVISORY BOARD page and an ANNUAL REPORT page. These two pages are listed under the ABOUT menu tab. These additions will give viewers the ability to find and read the Ninth Wave Studio Annual Reports, Advisory Board Updates and Board Minutes. Please take a look:
I'm very happy to report that we continued to be active in the later part of 2020 and beginning of 2021 - and have launched and maintained four exhibitions on our new virtual gallery site:
EQUINOX
PAINTINGS OF JAMES SCHLAGE
NWS 6TH ANNUAL GROUP EXHIBITION
PAINTINGS OF ANNA BARNHART
Up now are "Ninth Wave Studio's 6th Annual Group Exhibition" and "Anna Barnhart Paintings".
Currently all our exhibitions are virtual but I have hopes that Ninth Wave Studio will begin again to have physical exhibitions - possibly as soon as May.
An exhibition of Southwest Michigan Printmakers entitled "SWMP Suites & New Prints" is scheduled to launch in May 2021 on our virtual gallery site. It is my hope that it can also have a physical presence in the gallery rooms at Ninth Wave Studio. This exhibition is being curated by Vicki VanAmeyden.
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE PHOTOSYNTHESIS PROJECT . . .
Covid-19 has kept the Photosynthesis participants from their monthly meetings. In an effort to help keep the project moving forward I suggested a concept that allowed participants to work and meet virtually while we continue to social distance. Named “VOICES” – it combines the development of both artwork and ekphrastic poetry.
Thirteen Photosythesis Project participants signed on - with our first meeting on Wednesday, November 11th at 6:30 pm. The VOICES participants are: Melody Allen, Susan Badger, Justin Bernhardt, Maryellen Hains, Tamara Hirzel, Elizabeth Kerlikowske, Dave Middleton, Lynn Pattison, Linda Rzoska, Jacqueline Skarritt, Joe Smigiel, Vick VanAmeyden and Randy Walker.
Currently the project is in the middle of several consecutive virtual workshops given by Elizabeth Kerlikowske on the art of ekphrastic writing.
The objectives of VOICES are:
The Photosynthesis Group Objective: To provide a project for the Photosynthesis group that is workable while we continue to social distance.
The Environmental Objective: To produce an exhibition that may heighten awareness that all aspects of the planet are essential and deserve the reverence and protection of humans.
The Voices Objective: To provide voices to various aspects of the planet.
A resulting exhibition is planned for Spring or Summer of 2022.
FUTURE ART HOP PARTICIPATION . . .
The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo has reached out and encouraged NWS to participate in their Art Hops. As some of you may know - the logistics of participating in an Art Hop that is virtual requires labor intensive digital organization and reliable & timely communication between participating artists and the exhibition curator. This has been a little difficult for one person to coordinate.
To continue participating in ACGK Virtual Art Hops it's clear that NWS must become more effective and efficient in getting artwork images and descriptive information delivered by deadlines that many of our exhibiting artists are unable to honor.
To remedy the deadline problem NWS has altered its commitment of having six exhibitions a year - lasting one month, down to three or four – so each exhibition can last two or three months. By doing this I will be able to get the needed info to the ACGK by the second or third month's Art Hop deadline.
In addition NWS will be enforcing a mandatory compliance on our participating artists to submit the following in a given window of time:
emailed good quality photos of their artwork that are prepped correctly (300 ppi, width 1460 pixels);
an emailed document with info of artwork titles, media, dimensions and prices;
an emailed document with their artist statement.
IN CLOSING . . .
As you all know COVID-19 led to the cancellation of all of 2020's scheduled workshops, artists' salons, our artist residency, and our travel abroad trip – actually everything with the exemption of our exhibitions. As we move forward into 2021 - it is my hope that all of you will take the time to share your thoughts with me. Feedback from you would be greatly appreciated!
Stay safe and healthy,
Linda Rzoska
Our 12 Member Advisory Board
Lorrie Abdo
Don Ashcraft
Susan Badger
Mindi Bagnall
Tanya Bakija
Mark DeYoung
Maryellen Hains
Anna Z Ill
Beth McCann
Dave Middleton
Vicki VanAmeyden
Randy Walker
Ninth Wave Studio
Mary Louise Haynes House
213 West Walnut Street
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
The mission of Ninth Wave Studio is to promote, support and nurture the ingenuity and individual growth of the artists of Southwest Michigan by providing collaborative opportunities for exhibitions, creative events, experimentation, practice and dialog.
