Mid Summer Night's Draw

Well, hello my poor neglected little blog....

The last couple year's have been a roller coaster of life changes and new challenges. It's taken a long time but I am finally in a position to create some consistency in my life that will enable me to start being a PRACTICING artist again.

Those of you creative sorts out there, makers of all sorts will understand me when I say there's a particular kind of cranky you get when you are kept from working for too long.

More on the life changes later - but for now, I am THRILLED to announce I'll be participating in Hallwalls next drawing rally - the Mid Summer Night's Draw! I hope to see you there!

So many events, so little time....

This year I've been invited to participate in THREE holiday events - I'm really excited about it and have been busy making new work to debut!

Here's a sneak peak..

Your first chance to see it? Come to Rochester for Second Storie! I've been participating in this event for 6 (!!) years and its truly a wonderful time. The vendors are kind, the amazing ladies that organize it incredible. They work really really hard at creating a comfortable, "family reunion" atmosphere and its just a very lovely cozy place to be. 

The specifics:

Where: Visual Studies Workshop 31 Prince St Rochester 14607

When: Saturday November 30th 10-6pm

Are you in Buffalo? That gives you TWO CHANCES to catch up with me. The first chance is the Queen City Market. Last year they began and the reviews were fantastic - I'm very excited to participate this year.

Join me December 7th 11-5pm at Karpeles Manuscript Librayr @ 453 Porter Ave in Buffalo!

Or come by Last Minute Panic! The Western New York Book Arts Center is one of the best arts and educational center in this city. I think this is the 6th year of the event and I am happy to say I've been there for 5. I really love everything about this place, if you've never been there you owe it to yourself to come by!

Join us December 13 4-8pm and the 14th 12-6pm @ 468 Washington Street Buffalo

Naturally, as I've been working really hard and have been pulled in many directions (I have 5 jobs!) I managed to cut open my right index finger just this afternoon. Here's hoping it heals up quick because clearly - I've got work to do!

Craftivism 101

Want to up your creative potential? 
Skill Level: beginner and beyond. 
Course Prerequisite: Superhero like power of using your creativity for good.


Want to make things that will reach people outside the gallery walls? 
Do you want to put your creativity to better use, create things with a purpose, and somehow make the world a better place? 

Then check out my fall workshop: Craftivism 101: Art for a Purpose!

Adults & Teens; 4 Saturdays: 10/19, 11/2, 11/23, 12/7, 1:00-4:00 PM @ Arts Underground; $40

Do you make art projects that just sit around collecting dust?  Do you see problems in America or your local community but feel helpless?  Do you want to put your creativity to better use, create things with for a purpose, and somehow make the world a better place?  If so, then join others like you in this multiple session class with artist and Craftivist, Elizabeth Switzer.  

“Craftivism” (Crafing + Activism) is making with the hands and giving with the heart.  It’s about opening the minds of people in the community to inspire a dialogue for change.  It’s about giving a voice to those who otherwise may not have one.  It’s about using beauty and the imagination to bring awareness to the overlooked people and problems – and the mundane environment – that go unnoticed in everyday life.  So, if you want to contribute to a ripple with the potential to make big change with the causes that matter most to you and your community, join this class! 

http://springvillearts.org/sca/events/fall-workshops/

Artists & Cyclists

Tonight from 6 - 9 come join me down on Allen Street for Artists & Cyclists!

GObike Buffalo is teaming up with First Fridays Allentown and the Buffalo Infringement Festival to once again bring you Artists & Cyclists! 

We’re closing Allen Street to cars between Franklin and Delaware to make way for art, music, dancing, cycling and more.

Come check it out:

open art galleries

music by the 12/8 Path Band

breakdancing workshops and performances with Verve Dance Studios

hula-hooping with Ultra Hoops

Infringement performances at El Museo and Indigo Gallery

a live, participatory chalk mural

a bike decoration station

mobile bike repair

And DIY art vendors:

Heather Bivens: Weathered Heather

Linda Collignon

Debra Eck: DryadArt Studios 

Ani Hoover

Amy Meza Luraschi

Jan Nagle: Lily Pickford

Esther Neisen: Sweet Treats Gifts

Elizabeth Switzer: Crude Crafts

I'll be there selling my up-cycled inner tube bracelets (and MUCH MUCH more) at for $8 a piece - bring me your worn out inner tube and get yours for $5!!

See you there!

Buffalo BookFest

I'm back!

I hope you've checked in with me over at www.heyteacherleavethosekidsalone.blogspot.com to hear about my adventures in student teaching.

There's still lots more content to come over on that site (and this one too!) as you can imagine student teaching by day AND teaching night classes AND running a gallery is A LOT of work and left me pretty drained and not exactly what you might call articulate, so I didn't post as much as I wanted to.

I'm starting to come out of my funk just now, but the high temperatures and higher humidity level has made it hard to be that productive.

But, I've got an event coming up soon and I hope to see you there!

Buffalo Book Fest

Saturday, July 27 / 11-5pm 

at WNYBAC

468 Washington Street 

Buffalo, NY 14203

Now for a little glimpse at what I've been up to... 

I've been taking old pillowcases and converting them into reusable market bags. Much prettier than the kind you buy at the grocery store, don't you think?

Hey Teacher....

I'm sure its becoming very obvious lately that I've got very little time for making new work these days. I started back to school in the Fall of 2011 to be certified in K-12 Art Education and it has consumed just about all of my time.

For the next 5 months, I'll need to all but shut down production as I undertake my next big challenge - student teaching! I'm equally nervous as I am excited, and decided to document the process in a new blog.

I'll be keeping many details to myself in order to preserve privacy for all involved, well other than me. But I hope you'll follow along as I try to walk this crazy path and come out the other side, well, at all...

heyteacherleavethosekidsalone.blogspot.com

Second Storie Indie Market: TOMORROW!

Hello poor neglected blog..

I can't believe how long it has been. Much has happened in the past year. I went back to school (yes again) to work on getting certified  for K-12 art education while still teaching as an adjunct, doing the indie craft circuit, working for my Dad, trying to kick start myself back into curating and a handful of other odd jobs. I'm not good at saying no to things.

Right now though. I'm gearing up for tomorrow's return of:

SECOND STORIE INDIE MARKET

 

art + craft + food trucks

Handmade goods of all kinds for everyone 

on your list PLUS your favorite food truck vendors!

Visual Studies Workshop Auditorium
31 Prince Street
Rochester, NY 14607 

Second Storie has always been one of my absolute favorite holiday markets. The combination of the amazing vendors combined with the cozy atmosphere they provide makes for an event that feels a lot like a family reunion. 

I'll be there with all sorts of new items (and a few old favorites!) hope to see you there!