We Too Are Chicago! Celebrating Chicago's Youth

Daily local and national media cover the horrendous acts of violence happening in Chicago, Illinois. Attention is drawn constantly to the senseless murders in an effort to raise awareness of Chicago's problems.  Unforturnately in media's sensationalism of Chicago, all Chicago youth are cast in a very negative light.   Chicago is a city of contradictions. It is the home of both peace and violence, opportunity and decay.  Presently, our dominant image is that of the negative.   I believe it is time for artists to flip that script.  Our work should expose the greatness of people, especially our young.

July 9th - August 3rd, 2012 at HumanThreads Gallery (645 West 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616) the We Too Are Chicago! Exhibit intends to shine a spotlight on the hopes, dreams, potential, and achievement of young people often overlooked by mainstream media. Artists Ramona Dallum Lindsey and Trish Williams will offer their perspective on the issues surrounding our youth through their unique textile art. The exhibit will feature a host of commentary and abstract wall art inspired by poetry written by Mrs. Lindsey. 

Mrs. Lindsey and Ms. Williams use textile art techiques based in the African-American quilting tradition. Quilting is a historic textile art with deep roots which brought together communities. As quilters worked together they shared the stories of their community. We Too Are Chicago is a unique visual art experience aiming to get our community talking about Chicago's youth determined to achieve success regardless of their daily challenges.  Members of the community were invited to share photographs displaying the successes of young people in Chicago.  A handful of these images will accompany the textiles.  In addition, a young emerging artist from Kenwood Academy High School (Chicago,IL),  Gerald Brown, will offer a glimpse into the mind of this generation through 4 of her dynamic photographs.

The show opens July 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm with an opening reception in partnership with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Rev. Jesse L.Jackson, Sr., the famed civil rights leader, activitist, and minister will offer remarks touching on the present and future roles of music, hip-hop, art, and youth for social change.  The event serves as a Pre-Conference Reception for their 41st Annual "Rainbow PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education Fund" Conference, July 11 - 14, at Chicago Hilton & Towers.

For further information, please visit:

The Rainbow Push Coalition 41st Annual Conference

The Artist's Reception will be held July 13, 2012 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm during the Chicago Art Distict's 2nd Fridays Gallery Night.  We hope you will join us for this powerful celebration of Chicago's Youth.

We Too Are Chicago!

By Ramona Dallum Lindsey

Your Gold Coast is not our stomping ground

Oprah rarely visits our 'hood.

We're called Kendra, David, Hector, and Maria

We share the block with Phat Daddy and Lil' Mama

We're regulars on the Green, Red, and Pink Line,

Our train stops at neighborhoods like

Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Pilsen, and Little Village

We too are Chicago

We stare from bedroom windows at boarded up homes

And wonder about Travis, forced from the 'hood,

Because his people couldn't pay

We pass the teddy bear shrine dashing to catch the train

And wonder during our 60 minute ride to the better school

Who will be the next to die.

We gaze out the train window at  homeys on the corner

And wonder how long Drop-outs will stand

Because no one cared enough to give them a chance.

We too are Chicago

Our parents work hard to give us the basics

It's  no to the fancy dance lessons, art camps, & theater shows

Most of us leave school with nothing to do

We head home to empty houses

Where we lock ourselves in

But some of us take the dangerous detour

Straight to the pushers, bangers, and hustlers

We too are Chicago

We are more than you see

You see hopeless,

We see dreams!

You see lazy,

We see potential!

You see waste,

We see opportunity!

You see depressed,

We see achievers!

We too are Chicago

Copyright 2011

Lessons from Fountain Square Art Festival (Part 2)

Why? (2012) - Ramona Lindsey  (12" x  24")

Fountain Square Art Festival (FSAF) marks my first experience in the festival circuit.   FSAF taught me 3 key lessons - fortitude, camaraderie, and purpose.

Fortitude is the courage to continue in the face of uncertanity. There is a great deal of uncertainty associated with participation in juried shows.  Generally the selection process begins by submitting 3 - 4 photographs of your best art along with a non-refundable application fee.  It is difficult choosing photos that will impress an unknown jury while representing my best art. Furthermore, my photos must convince festival promoters that my work has mass appeal.

The same photos I used for the FSAF were used for the 57th Street Art Fair (Chicago, IL)  and Baltimore Artscape (Baltimore, MD).   Fountain Square said yes while the latter two responded no.  One size doesn't fit all, so what may work for one show might not be right for another.  Perseverance and understanding is the key.  You must not let the no's stop you from trying, but understanding your audience will give you a better shot at a yes.

Before leaving for the FSAF I spent hours creating new works with various price points.  My items ranged in price from $30-$1,800.  I created enough inventory so selling a third would net me $3,333.  My sales team - husband and 2 children -  are invested in the plan, because they receive compensation from my business once these goals are accomplished.  By the end of day one of the two day event, I had made no sales and obtained 26 new contacts.  I knew day two would be better, but I was wrong. At the close of FSAF, my sales totaled $0 and my contacts were 30.  I took a risk that didn't pay-off in dollars, but intangible rewards. My bank account was broke, but my spirit soared. Why? Because God gave me the fortitude, family, and friends to see the blessings in the experience.  He used the power of camaraderie to push me through challenges to realize His opportunity.

Where does camaraderie come from on the festival circuit?  It comes from the participating artists.  My two day experience brought me new friendships and connections.   I heard the mantra of veteran circuit artists including glass artists,Irene Sherman and Cari Johnson, "Don't be discouraged."  Many told me to continue attending shows until I find my market.  Several also advised that FSAF was not the right venue for high end fine art.  Every festival has a personality and  a following.  I learned I must do my research to discover each show's personality before applying. Painter, Chris Whitaker, gave me a copy of Sunshine Artist Magazine as a source to begin my research.

Michel Delgado, an artist from the Florida Keys and winner of Best in Show - 2D Media, taught me an important lesson.  He said the main purpose of participating in the festival circuit is to get more eyes on my high end fine art.  According to Michel, most fine art collectors don't buy from open air markets, but  high quality fine art with a message will eventually attract galleries and collectors.  The key is to expose the work to the market.  The festival circuit is one way to introduce the work and your story to a living audience.

William Kwamena-Poh, a painter out of Savannah, Georgia and winner of Best in Show - Painting, encouraged me to rethink my price points and presentation of my entry level work.   In my effort to offer festival goers with meager budgets my mixed media fine art, I presented mixed media textile art on a blank greeting card. William suggested that the work was too high quality to present in such a way.  In addition, the art's presentation didn't agree with the collector's perceived use of it.  He offered that fine artists must not run the risk of devaluing a complete and quality work of art in order to generate sales.

Finally FSAF reinforced my purpose for creating fine art.   My mission is to inspire, represent, and nourish the human spirit with art.  FSAF allowed me to interact with real people drawn to my creations.   I shared my story with over one hundred people.  Many of them expressed appreciation for what I was doing, but several showed genuine emotion.   One woman, a casual artist, told me my art gave her the inspiration to step outside her box. That it wasn't necessary for her to create in the same way as other artists, but to be her unique self.   A counselor from a battered women's shelter commented that my work had a powerful story to encourage her clients through their dark times. Finally, a single mom shed tears after hearing my story of releasing the past to embrace my future as an artist.

Creating art for me is more than earning dollars.  It's about elevating spirits and fulfilling my divine purpose.  God asks, if he takes care of the birds, why would He do any less for me? I must continue on the path He has placed before me assured in the promise that He will help me victoriously through it.

Lessons from Fountain Square Art Festival (Part 1)

Leap of Courage (2012) - Mixed Media Textile 50'x33"x2"

Every artist, visual or performing, who seeks to earn a living looks for ways to share their work with the buying public.   The festival show circuit is a viable option for many visual artist.   I stepped into this arena for the very first time with my participation in the Fountain Square Art Festival (FSAF) in Evanston, Illinois.   For those of you not familiar with the festival circuit, in a nut shell it is all the spring, summer, fall, and winter opportunities were vendors display their wares for purchase.  My husband likened the experience to the medieval merchants traveling the countryside in horse and wagon selling their goodies from the roadside.

The Festival Show circuit is a thriving industry in the creative world.   Festival promoters make money through artist application fees, vendor booth rentals, corporate sponsorships, and entry fees.  Artists are paid through their booth sales and ,in some cases, cash awards for outstanding fine  art or craftsmanship.  Participation in the festival show circuit comes with both benefits and risks, but many artist see it as a way to expand their opportunities beyond gallery representation.

As an emerging artist, I choose to enter the festival circuit as a way to self-promote my work.  I view my art as a business venture.  The festival circuit gives me a platform to begin branding my work and introducing it to the public.  I have total control over the presentation and marketing of my art.  I decide where my art is viewed and how it is seen.   Many galleries are reluctant to represent an artist with limited exposure.  I am absorbing some risks in order to gain exposure in anticipation of future sales and gallery representation.  What are my risks? The most costly risk is infrastructure investment to promote my work.  Then comes festival circuit expenses.  And finally unpredictable consumers.

My goal for 2012 is to participate in at least 3 juried fine art shows, with one of these being outside of Illinois, my home state. I only apply to juried shows with projected attendance of over 20,000.  Shows of this size give me a broader audience resulting in increased opportunities for sales.  But sales are not my only goal, I wish to add 120 potential clients to my mailing list during each event.

 

FSAF was my first opportunity to test my plan.  Part 2 of this post will describe my results.

Art is God Answering

My church offers a separate worship service for our children and young people.  Yesterday I attended as a guest.  The children's minister, Rev. E. C. Cunningham, spoke to the children about God's ability to answer questions.  He shared with the kids that all they needed to do was ask and God would answer.  Sometime the answer is immediate but some answers require waiting. At times my journey as an emerging artist is daunting, and that's when I wonder how other artists made it.

Woodrow Nash is one of my favorite sculptors.  Recently, my mother-in-law gave us an early Woodrow Nash piece.  Last week while reflecting on my journey as an artist I was admiring Mr. Nash's piece.  I thought, "When he made that piece he was like me - unknown and trying to make it."  I asked God to show me how Mr. Nash was able to persist.  My prayer was that God show me how I could learn Woodrow Nash's story. Yesterday, around 4:45 pm God answered my prayer. 

June 3rd was the last day of the 57th Street Art Fair  and Hyde Park Community Art Fair in Chicago's Hyde Park Neighborhood.  I had promised Pearlie Taylor, one of my mother's in art, that I would visit her at the fair.  After a Saturday packed full with meetings and a busy Sunday at church, my daughter and I reluctantly left the house at 3:00 pm to visit Pearlie before the art fair ended at 5:00 pm.  We hung out with Pearlie until around 4:30 and decided to stroll around the fair booths.  To my surprise, we discovered Woodrow Nash just 15 minutes before all artists began to close shop.  This was his first year participating in the art fair. 

While admiring his work and waiting to meet him, I shared the story of how my mother-in-law recently gifted us with a Woodrow Nash bust that she purchased in the early 1990's.  Unbeknownst to me, one of the ladies in the group was his wife, Wanda Nash.  She began to tell me about that time in his career.  She shared with me his journey from a painter, to graphic designer, to acclaimed sculptor. She talked about their struggles and successes.  But most importantly she told me that her husband's talent, just like mine, was a gift from God that God is requiring us to share with the world.  She encouraged me to remain faithful and focused on achieving what God has put in me to accomplish. 

 

Who knew that God would answer my question so quickly while giving me exactly what I needed to continue the journey.  All I had to do was ask!

Sisters' Road

Sisters' Road (2012) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey

Life is a journey that should not be traveled alone. It is riddled with peaks and valleys that are best navigated with experience, knowledge, and wisdom.  When two or more walk together, the impact of experience, knowledge and wisdom improves.  Men journey differently through life than women.   Women depend on a strong, enduring sisterhood to navigate our journey.  We depend on like minded women committed to purposes greater than the individual. As each woman connects to the sisterhood, she finds the strength to identify and fulfill her purpose.

Sisters' Road is a triptych consisting of three related panels - Founders' Road, Builders' Road, and Legacies' Road.  Together these panels tell the story of an enduring sisterhood.
Each form symbolizes mind, body, and spirit connected by faith, hope, and love.  They stand proudly on a crimson road showcasing their courage and strength to be undeterred against challenges in life's journey. When the three panels are placed side by side one can see in the distance the courage of the founders shoulder to shoulder staking the foundation for a lasting sisterhood.   The chain continues as sisters work together to build upon the founders' goals and missions. Lastly, the legacy of the sisterhood is dependent on the efforts of current and future members to radiate into the world.

 

Women often find themselves belonging to a number of sisterhoods.  Some were born into a sisterhood through the union of their parents. Faith made others members of spiritual sisterhoods.  Common interests encouraged some women to create social sisterhoods. Some sisterhoods encompass many areas of women's lives.  Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. is such a sisterhood.  It was found January 13, 1913 as a sisterhood of black college educated women committed to public service.  Many of the sorority's defining principles are rooted in Christian principles.  I became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1991.  Sisters' Road is my tribute to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the many sisterhoods embodied by its members.  

Sisters' Road will be featured at Gallery D'Estee March 2nd & 3rd at the Parkway Ballroom.   The triptych will be available for purchase. 

Abundance (2012)

Abundance (2012) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey, Artist

A down turned economy is like a drought in a once fertile land.   The plants and animals that most quickly adjust to their changed environment survive.  Those who don’t perish.  However, there are some natural creations that position themselves to thrive regardless of environmental conditions.

Take for instance a seed planted near the bank of a vibrant stream where the soil isn’t too rock. The soil’s fertilized by the droppings of the animals who visit daily for a cool drink. The sunlight which warms the stream also provides energy for the seed.  When the seed sprouts its roots become anchored deep beneath the stream.  The seed develops into a sapling. 

Over time it matures into a mighty oak.  Strong branches support a lush, emerald canopy shading the stream.  It learns to sway with strong winds constantly anchored by the stream’s rich soil and nourishment. During a season of consistent rain the stream is fed. The water supply is abundant.  In periods of drought the stream is diminished, but its moisture continues to seep into the soil.  The roots planted beneath the stream absorb the soils moisture.  While trees further from the stream whither and wilt, the mighty oak continues to thrive.

People who properly position themselves will do more than survive in tough times.   Some people position themselves through education, training, and networking.  These are external resources that  are often dependent on environmental conditions.  Their reliability may become questionable in the most challenging conditions. Others look inward and upward for proper positioning.  They depend on spirituality, faith, and belief. 

 

Abundance is the fourth tree in the Trees of Life Series.  It reminds each of us to position ourselves before the tough times so we can thrive in both times of plenty and famine.  It shows us how to be like the biblical person in Jeremiah 17:7-8 who's faith is like a tree planted by a riverbank who is not bothered or worried by months of drought, but continues to produce lush, healthy fruit.  Abundance is the first tree in the series to incorporate wrapped wool fibers and hand crotchet techniques.  It is the smallest of the four trees in the series, but showcases the most intricate details.

Abundance can be seen and purchased at Gallery D'estee on March 2nd and 3rd at the Parkway Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois.  Visit Gallery D'estee 2012: Art InTENsified for more information.