Accepted!

On Thursday I received excellent news regarding the Art in Rural Storefronts project. The towns had made their final selection and I was among the chosen!  Woo Hoo! Halsey, a small town I pass through regularly, will become home to my creation from Oct – Dec 2014. That means you, dear blog followers, will be subject to many posts on ideas and process for the installation. This time around I want to take over as much window space as possible (and there is plenty) and possibly play in both 2D & 3D work. No crazy hanging fish that takes a week to install. I’m hoping to set up everything in one day! Of course, it will all depend on my final design, building structure, rental truck and helpful friends! Yes, I will be looking for a body or two to help. 😉

For those of you feeling a tad lost, let me give you a bit of background on Art in Rural Storefronts. It is what the name implies, bringing installation art into rural communities and filling empty storefront windows. The program was initiated in 2012 by the Arts Center of Corvallis and supported by the Oregon Arts Commission. It covers both Benton and Linn county. During the first year, only two towns and 3 artists participated: 2 in Sweet home, 1 in Philomath. In 2014, 5 towns will be receiving artists!  Interested artists had to submit a portfolio of relevant work and several pages of bio/resume & letter of intent, to be juried by 2 groups. The first jury scrutinized the art and background of the applicant. Jury 2, composed of  town representative, chose who they were most interested in. Once selected, the artist has 1 month to determine their concept through drawings/models for the empty storefront windows. After that, the artist will have 3 months to finish the project then install the work onsite. The above photo was from my Unseen Natives project that hung in Sweet home winter 2012/13.

I feel so honored to be chosen again. Ideas are already solidifying. I think it’s meant to be. If I can see it in my brain, I can make it happen!