Southern Tier's Community Labyrinth Project

1. General Introductory Info

As a part of the Southern Tier iXpress program's "Community Labyrinth Project" and an extension of our explorations of labyrinths, Aspire's Mall Boulevard artists helped create a temporary labyrinth, 40" in diameter, in the Lakewood parking lot. And then, for the rest of the day, we all walked (and otherwise moved through...) the labyrinth, joined by staff, visitors-and even an intrigued passerby!

Mall Boulevard's parking lot labyrinth was created for the purpose of offering an on-site opportunity in creating and enjoying a labyrinth, and served to augment our individuals' involvement with "The Community Labyrinth Project", currently under development on Jones and Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. In addition to developing the 90' Community Labyrinth, individuals at Aspire and The Resource Center are busy creating clay tiles that will be assembled this fall into The Community Labyrinth's "Centerpiece Sculpture."

The parking lot labyrinth experience at Mall Boulevard helped us come up with an answer to the question, "what is a labyrinth?"

A labyrinth is, simply, a path that invites us into a created space, leads us to the center, and then back out again. Labyrinths of all shapes and sizes have been created by many different cultures for many centuries, for the purposes of meditation, exercise and enjoyment.

Following a labyrinth path is quieting and calming - and fun, too!

2. Here are the steps that we followed to create the Mall Boulevard parking lot labyrinth:

To begin creating the parking lot labyrint, we marked a center point. Then one individual stood on the center point, holding the end of a rope marked with knots at the 5' points.

Another individual ("the measurer") picked up the rope at the first 5' knot, held the rope taut, and moved slowly around the center point. A third individual ("the marker") followed closely behind the measurer, chalking the line until the starting point was reached, completing the innermost circle.

Then the measurer moved further away from the center, taking hold of the rope at the 10' knot. A larger circle was measured and marked this time, outside the first circle. As that circle was completed the process continued, moving further out from the center at 5' increments, measuring and marking a series of concentric 5' circles until the desired diameter for the labyrinth was reached. Then the openings were marked to allow for a continuous path from the outside of the labyrinth to the center and back out again. Finally, the "trial runners" took on the challenge...will our planning and measuring and marking lead us to the center?

Success!

It works for "all walks" and everyone!

Ani Hoover inspires the Center for Learning

Students at the CFL traveled to UB North in May to see the Ani Hoover exhibit. The six panels were 30 feet tall and everyone was amazed at how they seemed to go on forever. The paintings were bright and very colorful. Many students picked out a favorite piece based on color. We learned that Hoover uses stencils with spray paint and ink. Also, we learned that her color choices are based on simple life events.

When we returned to the school we started our own circle painting. Each class chose a season to base the colors in their painting. The students then filled the 9 foot long paper witih bright circular stamps of color. They also used stencils and liquid tempera paint in spray bottles to make more circles. The paint dripped down the paper just like in Ani Hoover's work.

-Laura Minor, iXpress Art Facilitator for Aspire's Center for Learning

Sum of All Parts: Part II

Some more pictures from our Sum of All Parts workshop, enjoy!

Experimenting with our base structures and materials

Cardboard shapes for stacking, hanging and who knows!

a finished cardboard painting, it will eventually be cut up into abstract forms.

Bill works on painting the cardboard

(from left to right) Bill, Jacqui, Paige, and Sarah work together

Stacey

Stacey has been working hard on becoming a more independent artist with the help and encouragement of iXpress art facilitator Jody and it's showing! Three of Stacey's pieces were chosen in a jury selection for Aspiring Artists Art and Wine Event, iXpress' annual fundraiser.

Stacey hard at work

Stacey's work in the art room (center and hanging on the wall)

Stacey works on one of her paintings

More updates on the other artists chosen to be a part of Aspiring Artists Art and Wine this year
are coming soon so check back!

Sum of all Parts: Part I

iXpress was lucky enough to receive a grant from the Buffalo and Erie County Arts Council and along with a generous contribution from the Schwinger family we are now able to fund a major community project . We have started working on the 'Sum of all Parts'. This project will bring awareness to the community about waste, consumption and the unknown possibilities of ordinary objects around us. It will also educate the public about artists with disabilities and encourage community integration, confidence and independence within Aspire's iXpress participants.

For this project iXpress is honored to be working with local artists Ginny Lohr and Jozef Bajus. These two diverse artists are our project leaders and will guide us through to their vision of the final product. We are also pleased to say that the 'Sum of all Parts' will be holding an open workshop at the brand new Burchfield Penney Art Center on Elmwood where it will be exhibited from November 2009- January 2009! More details to come about that as we get closer to the fall.

To get the ball rolling creatively we had a workshop to play with materials and see what happens! Here are some photos from that day:

Scott and Jody drill holes in our MDF board

Just a small portion of our materials donated by Aspire staff and friends

One of the base panels assembled

Bill came right after Special Olympics to participate!

Thumbs up indeed Sarah.
Sarah flattens soda cans between sheets of fabric so no one gets hurt!

Some of our mess we made

Jacqui and Paige painting on cardboard that will eventually be cut out into organic shapes.

Check back for more updates on S of all P in the future!

Jenny

'My Birds', acrylic on canvas, 28" x 22 "

'Field and Grove', acrylic on canvas, 22" x 20"

How long have you been working with iXpress?
I’m not sure. It’s a long time. Before iXpress, I took art at School 84.

Why do you make art?
It is fun. I like working with all the different colors: blue, white, yellow, red… Pink is my favorite.

How do you feel when you are working?
Happy and good.

What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I would like more time to paint. I am sad when I have to stop.

I had a painting in the show. It was called “My Flower Garden”. I was surprised when it was chosen. I was excited.

DEC Grant Awards

Back in the fall iXpress applied for the Decentralization Grant offered in Chautauqua and Erie Counties.

Chautauqua County's iXpress is lead by Sara Michalak, she is pursueing an outdoor sculpture project related to the surrounding landscape. Her project will be implemented by our iXpress individuals in conjunction with The Resource Center.

Erie County iXpress lead by Amy Holdnack and Samantha Hamilton requested funding for a large scale assemblage project using deconstructed recyclable materials. They will be working with two local artists, Ginny Lohr and Jozef Bajus. The project will conclude with a workshop day hosted by the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

We are pleased to announce that both projects have received funding for their respective projects and we can't wait to get production underway! More news on these two amazing projects (and what you can do to participate) as they unfold.

Comfort Zone Cafe Mural

Comfort Zone Cafe has graciously asked us to do a mural for their new Elmwood location! iXpress was only too happy to get right to work. The Co-op at Tri-Main is primarily working on this endeavor. This large work will be installed mid Spring we'll be sure to tell everyone when it's up for viewing! Deb using the projector to paint our drawings on the mural boards.

Laura helping Deb out.

Pottery at the Co-Op

Jody and Sarah trying out the wheel

At the Co-Op art facilitator Jody has been having ceramics classes once a week. This past week she pulled out the big guns, the pottery wheel! Judging from all the pictures the brave guys that tried it out were delighted as well as a little grossed out from the texture of the wet clay. There's nothing like good old messy fun in the art room!

Steve

1. How long have you been working with the iXpress program?
I’ve been working with I Xpress for 5 years. With 4 different teachers.

2. Why do you make art?
I like art because I move my hands. I like paint to and make colors. I like to feel the brush to make different colors. I paint boats, buses, trees, houses.

3. How do you feel when you paint?
I feel great. I feel happy cause when you help and keep me on task I finish a painting. People tell me I do a good job.

4. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I would paint more and faster.

Stacey

1. How long have you been working with the iXpress program?
3 years with 3 different teachers.

2. Why do you make art?
I feel happy because the pictures are beautiful and I paint well with my own hand. Impressionist paintings are easy for my hand and the colors are pretty. My favorite colors are purple and pink. I picked Monet’s garden for the purple Irises. I like to work from historic painter’s art. I choose the piece because the fall colors. I like to go to art because it is quite (sic). I like the music and my friends.

3. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
Nothing.

4. As an artist, what is your most important message to get across to your audience?
Nothing, I paint for me.

from the Southern Tier

JB is a skilled and thoughtful participant in Aspire's iXpress program in the Southern Tier. His choice to create with pastels allows this artist to work in ways that express an engaging confluence of personal process with media. The effects of layering, blending and stroking/marking convey visual depth as well as an immediacy of the experience of art-making. This artist is gifted with an ability to create in ways that offer fresh opportunities to the viewer for considering the ways that art may enhance our own ways of seeing and understanding each other, our experiences and the world around us.

"December Light", blue pastel, 6" x 6"

Cheryl

Recent works by iXpress artist Cheryl R. She primarily works with paint on canvas and loves to select colors mixing a la prima as she works. Most of her works are inspired by everyday people and places which are noted in her titles.

"Outside, Here", 2008, acrylic on canvas

"Untitled", 2008, acrylic on canvas

Loretta

We have another completed interview via Sonja, one of our speech therapists. This one is with iXpress artist Loretta here is what she had to say:

1. How long have you been working with iXpress?
Since I came to Brock almost three years ago.

2. Why do you make art?
It keeps my mind off of things that bother me. I think about the art instead.

3. How do you feel when you’re working?
Happy. It makes me think about happy things. Also, I can get my frustrations out.
Sometimes I get excited, too.

4. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I would like more help to be careful and not make mistakes about how I (use colors) and about fixing mistakes. I ask Jody, “What color should I use here?” and she tells me I should figure it out. She might bring me three colors and tell me to mix them until they look like I think they should.

5. As an artist what is your most important message to get across to your audience?
I like to do my own work. I can do it but it’s going to take me a little while. I worked hard at it. I want you appreciate me for who I am.

Anna

Within iXpress the creative process relies heavily on communication between the facilitator and the artist. As facilitators we want our artists to express to us in any means they can what their vision is so that we can help them to achieve that goal.

We work with a number of people who use alternative communication methods including Dynavox machines, sign language, alternative sign language and symbol books. Knowing our iXpress artists is the best way to learn what they're trying to say but sometimes we need to ask our talented speech therapists to help out. Recently, I sent a list of questions to the Speech department and asked if they would help work on these questions with some of our iXpress artists. Anna was the first one to complete the questions with speech therapist Martha. Anna has a Dynavox on her motorized wheelchair but she prefers her Bliss symbol book. The process of communication is slow but always worth it when we have a really meaningful conversation about her art.

Anna and I work as a team on her art from coming up with the idea to applying the paint to canvas. Anna uses a universal cuff to help her hold the paintbrush, it's like an elastic band that wraps around four fingers of the hand. This helps Anna work because she doesn't have to strain to hold onto the brush. When she works I am also there for additional physical support to help her raise her arm and move around the canvas. Currently, we are looking into more advanced adaptive equipment for Anna and artists like her so she can work more independently.




So, thanks to Martha for going the extra mile so we could all learn a little more about Anna. Here are her responses:

1. How long have you been working with iXpress?
I have been painting at Aspire for over 10 years.

2. Why do you make art?
I make art because I enjoy being creative and working on something meaningful.

3. How do you feel when you're working?
When I work on my art I am very focused and it gives me a sense of purpose.

4. What would you change about iXpress if you could?
I wish we had the time, money and resources so that I could spend more time working on my art.

5. As an artist what is your more important message to get across to your audience?
I want people to see that I do good work.

If you have questions for our artists, feel free to leave them in a comment and we'll be sure to survey our artists. Thanks for looking!

Peg

Today's post comes from Peggy Ross. Peg has been working really hard on refining her art making, right now she is studying the always captivating works of Van Gogh. Van Gogh's colors and textures are a great way for an artist like Peg to expand her visual vocabulary. Below the pictures Peg tells it in her own words.

Hello My name is Peggy Ross. I belong to the iXpress art program at Aspire of Western New York. I am learning how to paint free handed & it is a little scary for me because I have never let myself out of my comfort zone. But I am happy I did.I like painting because I can put all my feelings into them. Without the iXpress program I wouldn't be able to show people my art pieces. And to sell my art work. I like learning new brush strokes and how some make things look like they are jumping out at you. And other brush strokes makes parts of my painting look quiet. I am happy for the art teachers because they help bring out the artists gifts in me.

Palm Trees

Today's post is artwork by Veleka G. , she has been participating in iXpress for 5 years. These two paintings are from some of her recent works and show a more indepedent approach. Below the paintings are Veleka's own words about the art program and her work.

'Palm Trees'- Veleka G.

'Looking Out Onto the Horizon'-Veleka G.

Amy encouraged me to do art when iXpress first started, that was the first I ever tried painting. Painting makes me feel relaxed and helps me to express my feelings and it helps me to become creative. I like to paint nature in general. I like to work with pastels because they make the picture come alive. Pastels have more oily consistency while acrylics are more smooth.

What I'm working on currently is the butterfly mosaic tile. I'm trying to create the shape of a butterfly with mosaic tiles. I know what I want to do but my brain works faster than my hands want to work. Even though it takes me a little longer than some I still get my idea completed.

-Veleka G. iXpress artist