Spiritual Art

Zimbabwe Artists Project
Olympic Mills Commerce Center
107 SE Washington Street, Suite 162
Portland, OR 97214

For Immediate Release

July 11, 2008
Kill date: August 2, 2008

Contact: Heather MacKenzie, Dick Adams, Mary Lind
(503)232-7057
coordinator@zimbabweartistsproject.org
www.zimbabweartistsproject.org

Portland, Oregon. On Friday, August 1, 2008, Zimbabwe Artists Project will host an opening for a month-long exhibit in the Olympic Mills Commerce Building, in conjunction with First Fridays in inner southeast Portland. The event will be from 5:00-9:00pm and is free and open to the public. During the event, there will be music courtesy of Wood Vibrations as well as snacks and beverages. This event is for all ages.

Overview:

Zimbabwe Artists Project has been actively exhibiting art in the Portland community for nearly a decade, so it's not surprising if the artwork is familiar to many. This August marks our first year of residence in the Olympic Mills Commerce Center. In conjunction with First Friday in inner southeast Portland, we are excited to celebrate this anniversary with an exhibit throughout the main floor gallery space of the OMCC.

This exhibit will feature artwork made in Zimbabwe by over 100 artists, the majority women, from the rural community of Weya. Accompanying their artwork will be photographs of the artists and the stories that they tell.

Through the artwork from Weya, ZAP promotes a dialogue within our own communities about Zimbabwe's history and culture, as well as about the artists' lives. The photographs of the artists and the stories that accompany each piece of art offer connections with real Zimbabwean people. Stereotypes of plighted masses give way to images of rural African women as strong, creative, and fully capable human beings.

At this exhibit, we will explore specific issues that ZAP faces in Zimbabwe: social structure and gender, HIV/AIDS and health, special needs and projects, Weya systems of values and beliefs, etc. In dialogue with art, the artists, and our own communities here in Portland, we hope to continue to foster new awareness and new ideas to promote equity, dignity and social progress.

For more information, please contact us at 503-232-7057 or visit our website at www.zimbabweartistsproject.org.

This is a benefit for the Global Coral Reef Alliance. Colleen Flanigan will show the rarely seen documentary “Reef Reborn” & talk about her experience rebuilding coral reefs in Bali. See a preview of the community reef project in Gossamer’s window; enjoy the movie, other local artists & light refreshments. Suggested donations of 5.00-10.00 benefits the “Global Coral Reef Alliance” a restoration project for the coral reef.

In honoring of this magnificent yet endangered ecosystem, over 35 artists of all ages created this wooly seascape, an intersection of higher geometry and handicraft. Come and celebrate & enjoy this wonderful work, other local artists, music & treats.

Shrines

Leader: Beth Ann Short

This three day workshop honors the Day of the Dead (a.k.a. Dia de los Muertos). A time when some cultures believe the spirits are closest to the physical world. It is also considered a time to remember those gone. Skeleton masks are made in South America to symbolize the spirits walking with the living. A time to feast and celebrate their spirit and memory. Many families also use this as an opportunity for younger family members to get to know relatives vicariously through story telling and ritual. This workshop is focused on the idea of story telling, creating a space for those passed to be honored and remembered.

Shrines will be constructed mainly with collage materials, found objects, glass tiles, charms, dice & more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own personal items/epherma (photos and/or tokens) to incorporate into their piece.

This workshop is suggested for any ages 6 and older.

This is a great workshop to take with a friend or loved one!

Sundays, Sept. 7, 14 & 21 from 1-4pm

Deadline for registration: Sept 5th

A six-week hands-on intuitive art-making experience.

At DIY Lounge at Collage, 1639 NE Alberta, Portland, OR
Register on-line at www.diylounge.com or by calling 503-804-2526
Six Wednesdays, Starting September 17th, 6:30-9:30 pm
Cost $225, includes all materials ($195 before Sept. 1st)

In this workshop, we explore artmaking as a playful, joyous and non-judgmental way of reconnecting with the creative self and our sources of inspiration. This six-week workshop is for anyone who wants to rediscover their own intuitive creative power and connection to the greater world.

We start by looking at images of art from different places and spiritual traditions - it's a great warm-up and participants often end up re-examining the way they think about art. In the spirit of this broader definition of artmaking, participants will have the opportunity to write, explore personal symbols, experiment with intuitive collage, and create without critique.

The participants help to set the pace of the class and will be able to make independent choices regarding what projects they pursue. Usually, we work with mandalas, touch-drawing, intuitive collage, prayer flags, and journals as well as personal shrines - either in a cigar box, or in a drawer. We do learn different techniques, but the focus is on tapping into your own creativity and learning to listen to your art and what it has to tell you. Best of all, you'll leave the class with ideas and inspiration for nurturing this creative spark in your everyday life.

For more information, and to see samples of the kinds of projects we do in class, visit: http://www.eyesaflame.com/17.html

What happens when a group of artists gets its hands on old books?

The result can be viewed in an art exhibit that's free and open to the public. Twenty local artists are participating in the exhibit, titled “The Altered Book Project.” A community reception is set for 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 in the gallery.

The exhibit is presented by Art on the Peninsula and St. Johns Booksellers. Art on the Peninsula is a non-profit arts organization building bridges between artists and the community by raising awareness, fostering education, and encouraging collaboration in the arts. The group seeks to provide the support and resources necessary to develop and realize the creative potential of the North Portland community.