"Wall Musings"

An 8-Hour Drawing Event

The theme for the March Bisbee After 5 artwalk is "Art Madness." I decided it was the perfect opportunity to let other artists come into my space and do whatever they want with the walls.

Literally, they have carte blanche -- any medium, any style. They can draw, paint, carve, attach objects, reflect light or cast shadows, screenprint, stencil, or do whatever they wish to the wall section they have been given in the front gallery. I'm calling it a "Drawing" event, but only loosely so.
The Catch: they only have eight hours to complete their task, and they must allow the public to watch as they create. Eight hours to cover a wall with artwork can be quite daunting, and some on-the-spot problem-solving (Project Runway style) will definitely need to happen. Furthermore, having an audience when creating can be nerve-wracking, as most artists work in solitude in the privacy of their own studios. It will be a bit of a social experiment to see how the artists react!

"Wall Musings" will take place this Saturday, March 10th at Heather Green Studios (27 Subway St., Bisbee AZ) from 11 am to 8 pm. The artists will have an hour break mid-day to eat and regroup. You are invited to come and watch at any time of the day -- see beginning, middle, and end of each artist's progress, and even participate if the artist chooses! Part of the fun is to see how dramatically art can change with something as little as a brushstroke. The Artists' Reception and Artists Talks are (tentatively) set for Saturday, March 24 from 6 to 9 pm. several of the artists will be available to talk about their work, their process and/or concept, as well as the experience of having people watch them as they work. The exhibit will be on view through March 31st.

I'm really excited to have such wonderful artists creating in my space! Here is some more info about those that have agreed to subject themselves to the public eye:

Jan Searle is a local favorite. She is a pastelist  and painter whose subjects usually include the incredible Arizona skies, Bisbee landscapes, animals, and portraits. She is a member with an art studio at the Central School Project, and exhibits her work primarily at the Tang Gallery Cooperative. She also teaches life drawing.

Ed Rosko is new to the desert southwest, moving recently from Brooklyn, NY. He is a painter, designer, sculptor, photographer, curator, and teacher. He has an amazing Pop Art sensibility, and is now moving towards abstraction. Quite often, his color palette comes from the mis-tinted "Oops" paint at the hardware store. I wouldn't be surprised if house paint is used on his wall during the event. :)

Sharon Lee is a Bisbee painter who works in a naivete or primitive style. Her work often deals with feminist and social issues in a colorful and abstract way. She hails from Pennsylvania, where she served on the boards and councils of various arts organizations and commissions. Sharon will be tag-teaming with Katy Hooper, a local artist who works for the National Parks Service and sometimes works with kids. I'm excited about their wall, as it will surely prove to be interactive, in which the audience can be participatory!

Jeff Henley is an Arizona native who currently works at the local college. Don't let his calm, quiet demeanor fool you -- his artwork is often filled with tongue-in-cheek wit, as seen in last year's "Catawampus" show. He is also a very skilled portrait and landscape painter, and works wonders with graphic design. I'm interested in seeing which direction he'll take for this project.

Photograph of Joe's artwork by David Day

Joe Klinger is a Bisbee artist whose work is most prolific in "The Gulch." Not sure which work is his? Just travel down Brewery Avenue and you will see the ever-changing "Bark Park," the on-going cooperative murals at Occupy Bisbee next to the park, and the many paintings and found-object sculptures attached to his home across the street. Artist Danny Selzter may also help Joe with this event. Danny's portraits of famous people are well-known around town.

I have to give credit to my Alma Mater, Allegheny College, for the idea behind this event. My sophomore year, the art department hosted their very first "8-Hour Drawings," which has continued as an annual event, now known as "8-Hour Projects." The experience was so incredibly amazing and profound, that I wanted to bring it to Bisbee. I hope that it becomes an annual event at the studio, with many, many artists choosing to participate!