July 25, 2014 at 4:36 p.m.
ArtStart's newest exhibition a learning experience
ArtStart's newest exhibition a learning experience
By Kayla Thomason-
Guests can view old and contemporary quilts, intricate straw works of art, Eastern European egg art - which is eggs that are coated in wax or paint and then etched - and other cultural pieces.
"Our goal for our summer exhibitions is to have exhibitions that are interesting and accessible, meaning that people can relate to them and this exhibition - called Folkstory - is as much about the story about and behind the art as it is the art itself," said Laura Ehmann, ArtStart executive team member.
The exhibit includes older forms of art, such as hair wreaths and handmade book binding, that are becoming more rare.
"It's going to be a surprise from what they are typically thinking of as a craft-orientated show and that's what we like to do - bring work into Rhinelander that is something that you don't typically see in this area," said Ken Juon, ArtStart president. "I'd like people to give it a chance and come on in and see it. It's going to be quite interesting and quite different than what they expect."
A jury team selected the pieces that are displayed, such as Karen Ann Hoffman's Iroquois raised beadwork which is a very rare style of Native American beadwork.
"I think the one that I'm most excited about is a large black velvet shoulder bag called 'Jim's Medicine Bag,'" Hoffman said.
It was made in memory of James Freschette, her friend and mentor as well as her husband's cousin.
He was also a world renowned Menominee wood carver, according to Hoffman.
While in a nursing home Freschette asked some family and friends to visit him and do some favors.
"In the Menominee way of doing things you don't ask without a gift and Jim gifted me the black velvet that I ultimately used to make that bag," she said.
She believes he gave her the material knowing she would make something with it.
It took her nine months to a year to complete the bag and while she beaded she cried and grieved. By the time the bag was complete she had gone through the grieving process.
"And so the medicine isn't really in the bag, the bag was the healing, was the medicine," Hoffman said.
Everything was stitched by hand, there was no pattern stencil to use as a guide. She researches the appropriate colors, designs and shapes to make her pieces culturally connected, accurate and appropriate.
The black bag's shoulder strap includes the Dancing Deer, which tells the Menominee story about dying, and the body of the bag tells the Iroquois view about death and dying.
"These are cultural stories that help our nation react to the loss of people that we love," Hoffman said.
She feels happy to be associated with the black shoulder bag and that it can be on display for everyone to see.
There is also a blue shoulder bag that captures the story of the Seven Dancers, which reminds people to be mindful of each stage of life and its responsibilities and blessings.
"I think it's stunning, I think it's really important for people to realize that art is not separate from our daily lives or at least it doesn't have to be," she said.
Visitors like reading the descriptions posted along with the pieces, Juon said.
"It's a real learning experience, I think I like that about the show a lot, it's not only strictly visual but there is a lot of history and a lot of learning that could be done," he said.
People from Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C. and other areas have visited the exhibit. They wrote in the guest book about how they enjoyed the art and the quality of the pieces on display. Each piece of artwork has a story that goes with it.
"[Handmade Meaning is] going real good, people really like the exhibition, we've got a lot of great comments, a lot of people from out of town now that it's summer," Juon said. "The overall response has been that it's probably our best show so far."
Hoffman is grateful to be a part of the show.
"I just want to thank Laura [Ehmann] and the entire team at ArtStart, I want to complement them on having the conviction and the courage to stick their necks out there in the world and bring notice to the fine arts that's around us," she said.
ArtStart's hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 7 p.m.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.