I’m so excited to tell you about my upcoming exhibition AND the workshop I will be giving to go with it!
The WHY behind Deconstruct To a New Paradigm:
This exhibition is curated by my long time family friend, Tekla. Here is an explanation of why she chose the topic and her journey in curating the exhibition:
Tekla Howachyn, a metal artist, has responded to the deep divisions in our society by creating an exhibition with a positive message. Inspired by Rev. Martin Luther King’s words, “I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear” she seeks to inspire others to imagine a future in which we transcend our society’s current struggle over polarizing issues and come together in the middle ground.
Initially prompted to action by the staggering numbers of women who reported assault in the Me Too movement, Tekla began thinking about other polarities locked in struggle. Black v. white and progressive v. conservative are also experiencing deep division. She asks “How can we decouple from this struggle and come together as equals? What might that look like?”
Tekla has worked professionally in the Asheville area for 26 years. She brings her creative and life experience to this project. “I’m amazed at how far we’ve come and how far we have to go,” Tekla says. “We have destroyed so much and we are building at the same time. Each person needs to create their own personal path to this new paradigm.” The interactive exhibit engages viewers as participants moving toward their own positive vision of the future.
Tekla was awarded the opportunity to present a new exhibit, “Deconstruct to a New Paradigm,” through the Point of View Curator Program at Asheville Area Arts Council. She organized six other artists to contribute including Marty Cain, Mary Lounsbury, Karen Chapman, Kathleen Kondilas, Jay Pfeil and Jenny Kiehn.
The opening reception for “Deconstruct to a New Paradigm” will be Friday, August 2 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. It includes two and three dimensional art, dance and a short artist talk beginning at 6:30 pm. There will be a full day of thematic workshops on Saturday, August 3 at the Refinery. The exhibition will be on display from July 19 to August 16 in the AAAC Exhibition Space at 207 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.
Click here to find out more info.
The WORKSHOP:
On Sat Aug 3rd, the day after the opening reception, I will be giving a great workshop called “Make Your Own Story Quilt”. In the workshop YOU will design your own resin quilt!
This is an excellent intro into learning to explore your creativity mindfully. We will be focusing on staying in the moment, noticing the characteristics of the objects you are working with and thoughtfully exploring how their selection and arrangement can describe a person or story.
All you need to bring is yourself and an open mind. I will be there with a very wide range of objects and natural forms to choose from, plus some handy trays for you to arrange your design in. I will photograph it professionally for you on the spot and you will get a print to take home!
The feedback I’ve gotten from this workshop in the past has been “overwhelmingly positive.” Participants have loved exploring the process and creating their own symbolism. You don’t need any artistic skill at all. This is about exploring the thought process and learning to play!
The cost is $20. Click here to sign up.
If you have any other friends that you think would be interested, please forward this to them to let them know! This is super helpful for getting the word out! If you or your friends want to check out some of the other workshops also happening that day, click here to find out all about them.
I hope you can make it to either or both of these events! I’ll be there to welcome you!
See you soon!
Jenny
