On Jurying Again...

The December exhibition "Affordable Art Fair" requires jurying because each year we have far more submissions than space on the wall. The purpose, therefore, is to select a balance of media and styles so that we can present a diverse and high quality exhibition for the entire community to experience. The purpose is not, however, to educate and help the artist improve their work. There are jury processes that are precisely for that purpose, and artists wanting that sort of guidance should seek out juried shows that feature that educational component, such as arts festivals and FCA membership. At SAGA, our two juried shows per year are selected for curatorial reasons - to create a cohesive exhibition with a diversity of media and styles. The jurors have a tough job - they have to envision the exhibition before it's in place, looking at each individual work in terms of how it fits in with the thematic concept of the exhibition. They are building an exhibition from the ground up in a matter of hours. Our standards have risen over the years as we move toward the provincial and federal arts mandates, which is to promote artistic excellence. Many of our artists have moved along that road with us, producing more and more fantastic work each year. We're so pleased to be able to present our local artists in our beautiful venue, where anywhere from 500 to 1000 people per month will see their work.

Grrr, chicory...

Roadside chicory is the enemy of the urban cyclist.  My shins sting like I've been whipped by Mr. Grey.  Doesn't the City crew own a weed-whacker? I swear that stuff reaches out to get me as I'm riding by. Plus, it nearly sent me flying when it tangled in my rear wheel and gears. I'm an organic girl, but really, I'm having to ride out into the road to avoid it, so it has become a danger to both myself and 4-wheelers.  Something must be done!

Hidden Trails and a Clear Mind

In the 20 minutes or so that it takes me to bike to work (faster on the roads than the nature trail), I have enjoyed an interesting new phenomenon. When you are biking, you have to think about the now.  Every rock, every turn, cars, hidden trailheads, wandering quail, pockets of loose gravel and barking dogs require absolute mindfulness. When I was driving my car, I used to think about all the things I had to do when I got to work.  When biking, I think about my immediate surroundings, the smells, the heat, the sound of my gears shifting.  It's a wonderful exercise in clearing my mind.  I arrive at work feeling content and energized.  What a gift.

Foiled...

Yesterday we biked downtown via the foreshore, and found that the annual tide had claimed about 50 feet of trail.  I knew we were in for it when I could see ahead of us a few ducks swimming on the trail.  About three inches of water and a few tiny fish, we rode through carefully (no front fender) and survived the trip with dry sneakers. We're still three weeks away from high water, so I think I'll have to change my route to work next week. Back to the up and down of Salmon Arm hoping that motorists are respectful and kind. Arg. I'll miss the birds, the tiny pink flowers, the sound of the waves, the smell of the wild roses, the beaver, the fuzzy ducklings, the stationary turtle and the herons taking off.  It will all be different when I return in late July.

More on bike commuting...

Here are a few more things I've learned while bike commuting...

9.  The dark stump at 3.5 km is not a bear.
10.  Never look directly at the puddle you wish to avoid.
11.  Ma and Pa Goose do not want me to stop to admire their babies.
12.  Joggers wearing earbuds should check over their shoulder now and then.
13.  In the face of sharp corners and large rocks, your bike will take care of you, you just have to trust it.

Helmet Hair

Did you know that when the bike helmet law came into effect in BC, female ridership fell by 30%?  Isn't that crazy?  We're just worried about helmet-head.  It is nasty, I won't argue that.  But that should have opened up some doors to invention instead of sending us scurrying for our cars again.  For instance, there should be a helmet with pin-curl options inside, so that you arrive at work, pull off your helmet and voila! Your hair is coiffed with beautiful waves.  It's a million dollar idea, I tell ya.  For now, I've succumbed to my stylist's constant request to cut my hair into layers and, gulp, bangs.  Must admit, though, a good shake-out after the helmet, some spray n' scrunch and I look pretty darn good.  Girls, helmet-head can be overcome.

Biking to Work

It's been nearly two weeks that I've been commuting to work by bicycle every day.  It's invigorating going all downhill through Upper Raven then Lower Raven, then onto the foreshore trail.  4km of almost flat, absolutely beautiful wilderness, birds singing and diving.  This might be something I do all summer instead of just during the "Pedal Power" exhibition.  About bike commuting in Salmon Arm, here are some things I've learned so far:
1.  Leave at 8:15am instead of 8:45am, less traffic downtown.
2.  A gel seat cover is an excellent Mother's Day gift.
3.  Instead of gearing down as you go up a hill, speed up before the hill.
4.  Don't wear earrings shaped like fishing lures.
5.  Don't change out of one's bicycle clothes in the office when 13 other people have a key to said office.
6.  Potholes hurt.
7.  Mondays are gruelling no matter what form of transportation you choose.
8.  No one really cares what my hair looks like.

I look forward to the next two weeks, and hope to see more people out using their pedal power.

Beat Nation

Another journey to Vancouver, and another trip to VAG.  Sometimes I'm looking at their collection for the fourth or fifth time, and it's not so exciting.  This last trip was to Beat Nation - contemporary First Nations art as it relates to the hip hop culture.  Oh so amazing.  I was thoroughly delighted to come across every single piece of unexpected brilliance, from the banana seat bicycles pimped out with beads and deer hide, to the 20 foot high spray painted Thunderbird tag, to the fancy dress that looked entirely traditional until you saw the little pattern of men holding AK-47s.  And the video art - I'm so glad my kids were with me.  In school they learn about Inuit seal hunts and Haida fish-curing techniques.  They don't learn that a terrible wrong was done and that it must be fixed.  The statements made by the First Nations artists in this show were full-on, accusatory, exhilarating and had a lasting effect on all of us.

A Long Day for Whom?

The sun came out and shone down through the skylight at the United Church this afternoon, letting us know that Mary was anxious for happy hour to begin.  Last week we lost a cherished friend and fellow artist, Mary Letham.  Nearly 91 years of age, she had spark and wit right up until the end.  We enjoyed her company so much, and will miss her terribly.  I'm not sure how to progress with the exhibition her and I planned for next year.  It is to be 50 of her smallest works, watercolours of the landscape.  We had a great time cropping and matting, getting inspired and telling stories.  That is, after all, the artist's purpose, to tell a good story.  Once I'm finished wiping my tears, I'll continue planning this exhibition, knowing that I'll be sharing one aspect of Mary's story.

On Jurying

I set up the two jurors today with pencils, criteria forms, coffee and a few sweets, then scurried out the door to let them start the process.  Before I left, I shared a few directives.  I fully trust these two excellent minds, but it was important that they know this show is about celebrating the 75 years of the Arts Centre building.  I use a four-point criteria system so that it is as subjective as you can get with art, not allowing much leeway in individual taste.  When I returned, I found the two of them near the end of the list, chattering away like two squirrels in a tree, and fully engaged with the spirit of the exhibition.  They requested yellow stickies to identify 24 "must-be-in-show" pieces.  As many as is possible will be selected from the remainder according to the score on the criteria sheet. It's important that artists know that their work isn't being "judged" as though in a competition. It is being juried.  The priority is to make a cohesive exhibition.  Work not selected may just not fit with the show, even though it may be a successful piece.  Tomorrow morning I will begin the long task of separating the works, calling the artists for pick-up, and laying out the show in preparation for the installation team's arrival at 7pm.  Then we'll have a better idea of how "75" will look by the time we open on Friday night.

Blank Gallery

Fresh paint job, and tomorrow the floors are being rewaxed.  It's like a facelift, only not painful.