CAPTURED & RECLAIMED
  • Home
  • Buy My Art
  • Hello Friend!
    • Blog
    • Meet Artist Jaci Musec >
      • Artist CV
  • Art by Jaci Musec
    • Mural Work
    • Abstract Paintings
    • Embroidery
    • Wearable Art
    • Storytelling
  • The Art

A soothing Cascade: Mollifying Edges

3/8/2020

4 Comments

 

Volunteering & Community

PictureBarbie Perry & Ellie at the studio.
One of the key aspects I think about in my art is the intersection between my work and the community. I consider the organizations I participate in, the activities I promote, the artwork I create and so much more when planning out my year. I simply cannot do all of the things I would like to but I do try to volunteer my time and energy when and where I can. 
This is a story about one of those projects.  
It began with my studio mate, friend and fellow community volunteer Barbie Perry. She approached me about an opportunity that friend and artist, Duffy Armstrong from Olli had presented. This was an idea for Barbie and I to teach a class at the winter workshop sessions that Osher Lifelong Learning Institute conduct.  (You can learn about the organization here).  

Lucky for us, we had just learned from the programming Librarian at Peoria Public Library, Karla W. that she had just the spot for an art installation.  With that we set to work creating the workshop outline, researching, gathering materials, meeting with Karla and preparing. We knew that this would be big project to tackle and would require a balance of time and energy.  

Picture
Picture
Picture

It Begins

Picture
Barbie and I agreed to fearlessly dive into this project centered around creating a public art installation.  ​ 
In one of our initial meetings with Karla W. we discussed measurements, logistics, and timeline. We were able to break the project down into small tasks that could be tackled easily over the several months we had to prepare. This helped to ensure that we were able to still work on our individual art practices. 
Our earliest studio sessions involved concept design and execution projections. We knew that the artwork being created need to meet some of our conceptual goals. The library is a community space that while welcoming, is still a very utilitarian space. We wanted to bring  soft, airy,  feminine and ephemeral qualities to the space.  We also had to consider that this piece needed to be achievable with a group of people who may or may not have artistic tendencies.  We wanted the experience to be positive and successful as well as educational for our Olli students.  

While both Barbie and myself believe in the importance of paying artists for their time and work, we volunteered our efforts in this project, in the same way that Olli runs completely on volunteers.  Because we were not working with a budget for the project, we made a goal to  spend little to no money on materials and supplies. We worked with items that we had on hand or were given to us. 

Materials:
Aluminum Boat Ramp poles, Rope, Twine, Glue, Fishing wire, pvc tubing, spray paint, yarn, string, wire, an old book, fabric, packing material, plastic waste, bubble wrap, and garbage bags. 

Goal:
To use these materials to create a mobile that could hang in the skylight area of the main branch of Peoria Public Library.   We intended to best utilize the Olli participants to help assemble elements of the project. 

Execution:
We created 10 hoops from PVC tubing, glue and tape.  Each hoop was spray painted. We designated materials that would be used for each hoop.  During our Olli class we had our students wrap the hoops with yarn and then create interest and texture within the space of each hoop using the provided materials. 

Picture
Barbie and Jaci about to present to our Olli participants.
Picture
materials sorted and prepared to transport to the Bradley University for our Olli Class
4 Comments
Sherri Burritt link
3/9/2020 05:57:19 pm

I’m so proud of you two. Olli was lucky to have you. No doubt the students loved every minute!

Reply
Crystal Potthoff link
3/9/2020 08:10:06 pm

These are two amazing ladies that created a beautiful piece of art. I was so blessed to be a small part of this project. I've learned so much from these two wonderful people!

Reply
Lynne Rettje
3/11/2020 11:46:03 am

This was a large task with two great artists in charge. Kudos to teachers and students who created..

Reply
Dawn Maloney
3/12/2020 03:04:20 pm

You're an amazing team!! Congrats on a successful installation!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I love using words to connect with my fellow humans. 

    Archives

    January 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    July 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    October 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Buy My Art
  • Hello Friend!
    • Blog
    • Meet Artist Jaci Musec >
      • Artist CV
  • Art by Jaci Musec
    • Mural Work
    • Abstract Paintings
    • Embroidery
    • Wearable Art
    • Storytelling
  • The Art