During Covid times Woman Made Gallery in Chicago began hosting group virtual openings in a different way. They reduced the fee to enter and each artist would have at least one of their 4 submitted pieces be a part of the online gallery. Prior there was never a guarantee that you would be chosen. Shows were juried and curated. This pandemic method while juried was very inclusive vs competitive. Wonderful, large shows. I have been watching this gallery for many years and I have been submitting. I feel honored each and every time they include me. This will be my 5th opening with WMG

For the theme LOSS coming up this September 

I knew immediately that I wanted to share this collage narrative. 

BOTH collages were chosen. I am quite delighted. 

Thank you Woman Made Gallery!

Here is a link to the exhibit.

Artist Statement: 

I moved to a border-farming town that was near what is called the berry belt. Intense summer forest fire smoke lingered and temperatures were abnormally hot. The farm employers said, “Unless you are dead, don’t miss work.” 17 days into harvest, a young 28 year old guest migrant worker, named Honesto fell ill. 4 days later he died. His death sparked a day long workers strike and negotiations about how to give H-2A workers better representation.

I was journaling daily with collage at the time. I don’t usually collage about events in the news. Yet, my sadness for this family showed up in my creative subconscious work. A wife and 2 young ones were now without him, such a tragic loss.

CALL FOR ART: I lost my husband eight years ago, my mother just over four years, and my father three months ago. Those were my three best friends, so needless to say they were devastating losses. My parents who had been married well over fifty years, were not able to relate to the significance of my loss, and did not know what they could do to support me through it. This made it even more difficult. I became the primary caregiver for all three of them, in addition to planning all three funerals, with the assistance of my children. Every loss that we experience is individual, and how we navigate through it is also a varied experience. Those around us may try to comfort us in various ways, but often don’t know what to say or do, because we all experience grief or loss in different ways. Not only that, when we think of loss in the broader since of the word, that can encompass a great many other things. With the advent of Covid-19, some people are experiencing loss in the form of loved ones, jobs, divorce, businesses, independence, travel, family celebrations, and so on. How has loss impacted you?" -Felicia Grant Preston   

Juror/Curator: Felicia Grant Preston is a retired art instructor and visual artist. She received a BA in art from Southern Illinois University, an MS ED from Northern Illinois University, and an MA from Chicago State University. In addition, she has studied at the University of Illinois, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Governor State University and The Savannah College of Art and Design. Her work has been included in the Paul R. Jones collection at the University of Delaware, considered one of the largest collections of African American art.  Publications include the University of Delaware’s 2005 date book, Abstract and All That, University of Delaware exhibition catalog, African art: the Diaspora and beyond by Daniel T. Parker, Cover design for Mystic turf poems by Quraysh Ali Lansana, and one image in Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks, edited by Quraysh Ali Lansana, and Sandra Jackson-Opoku, 2016. For more information visit:  https://www.feliciagrantpreston.com/ 

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I also included in my submit a shot of how smokey the area was in those times.

I have two virtual events this July. 

One is in Chicago. at Woman Made Gallery - the theme is HOME, i wrote about it in depth here

I really admire the way this gallery shifted it's calls for art. Each who submit were allowed one assured piece into the show. They lowered their entry fee. The response was seemingly very positive, raising funds for the gallery while allowing artists who have lost many opportunities this year to me a part of something. They have done this multiple times this year. 

The other show themed SHIFT is local, it's a small but mighty collection of those who help run Make.Shift Gallery 

I enjoyed the art call for Shift. they requested that we submit art that is "quintessentially you" which really made me smile. 

"Every month in Make.shift our gallery is filled with eye-catching and controversial work from local, regional and international artists, but what about the artists who work hard to make sure we are functioning at full steam? We are fortunate to have so much talent within Make.shift’s community. July is our month to showcase the visual artists that help to form us as an institution. We asked our staff, interns, board members, jury members, gallery attendants, and kzax DJs to submit work that defined their art. We’d like to show the work that they feel most embodies their themes and style to display the range of creativity within our space. Join us art walk Friday so we can show you what Make.shift is really made of"

I would also have opened my touring show "singularity" at a new location.

had we not still be managing things pandemic.

SIGH. 

I am grateful for two small shops that are still carrying my work.

In spite of reduced hours and phase 2 small business compliance. 

Brazen Shop + Studio

and Main Gallery 404 in IL

Artist Statement

The rule is one may wash dirty cutlery only after the last clean spoon is used.  Allow said cutlery to assemble ever so artfully on the bottom of reflective stainless steel kitchen sink. Pause occasionally to observe pleasant and artful utensil arrangements. Post an image of said observation on Instagram.

Is this pandemic behavior? Not really. It’s please don’t make me wash the knives, forks and spoons just yet behavior. My rule allows this. I call it quirky. Some might call it lazy and for those that require an empty kitchen sink at all times, you might never be able to live with me.

And that’s OK.  I’ve been practicing social distancing for some time now. I’ve gotten good at the blur of lost time and nothingness. I might be set in my ways. I find my day to day has not changed much.  I do notice the remarkable beauty in the sameness of things, like my dirty utensils. I treasure my home and it’s subtle visual celebrations. I feel safe as long as I am home.