Spectrum ArtWorks News

For the Love of...

2012-01-12T13:42:00.001-08:00

Greetings! This evening For the Love of... opens at Soo Visual Arts Center. For the Love of…features new work by twelve Spectrum ArtWorks artists. Living with mental illness is merely an element that brings these gifted artists together; it does not define the individual. The work in this exhibition explores what inspires creative impulses…revealing their own personal interpretations of what motivates them in life and in art. Each artist brings with them a wealth of diverse experiences that provides background to what has profound meaning and love in their lives. The works utilize a variety of different mediums and styles ranging from geometric abstraction to mixed media installation.

Exhibiting at Soo Visual Arts Center is an incredible opportunity and we can't wait to celebrate this new work with our community. The opening reception is this evening, January 12th 6:00-9:00pm. The show runs through January 18th.

Follow this link to the Soo Visual Arts Center's website for more information:

http://www.soovac.org/index.php/shows/view/for_the_love_of/

Soo Visual Arts Center is located at:

2638 Lyndale Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55408

Thank you dearly for supporting the Spectrum ArtWorks program! Please continue to stay informed and show your support for Spectrum ArtWorks. You can follow us on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectrum-ArtWorks/169027723169

Continue to view and read our blog, as well as view lovely art on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/

And, Spectrum ArtWorks is now on Twitter!! Check us out!

For more information or questions about the Spectrum ArtWorks program please contact Megan Andersen at mandersen@resource-mn.org

Let's get to know some of the artists!

2011-11-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Spectrum ArtWorks! We thought it would be fun to share a little more personal information about some of the artists in the group. Below each image will be the title of the piece as well as the name of the artist, followed by a short biography of the artist. Please enjoy! And, stay connected with the Spectrum ArtWorks blog to read more artist biographies in the future!

Orchid, watercolor and watercolor pencil by Cecile Bellamy

Cecile was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. She didn't take an interest in art until the age of eleven. From that point she took a strong interest in drawing, and then soon into acrylic painting. In high school, she took a college level drawing course and later continued her education at the University of Minnesota where she excelled in fine arts. Cecile then attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design andgraduated from MCAD in 1997.

Cecile has exhibited locally for over three years. Currently she is both a member of Spectrum ArtWorks and is a staff artist at In the Heart of the Beast Theatre. She is happy to be in a creative field.

Follow this link to view more of Cecile's art on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/sets/72157622603583131/

Grand Kids, mixed media by Audrey Bernard

Audrey was welcomed into the Spectrum ArtWorks program nearly seven years ago. Audrey came to the U.S. from Jamaica and it is here in Minneapolis, when she joined the ArtWorks group, that she discovered her dreams, abilities and potential of becoming a visual artist. Since then Audrey has developed her own personal artistic style, working in mixed media. She has exhibited in many galleries throughout the Twin Cities and metro area and has received special recognition and awards for her artwork. Audrey enjoys making art because it keeps her focused as well as makes her feel close to her grandchildren living in Jamaica.

Follow this link to view more of Audrey's work on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/sets/72157600772523731/

Past, Present and Future, acrylic and collage by Faye Buffington-Howell

As an artist, Faye's goal has always been to create images that are meaningful, expressive and inspiring. She has been practicing in the technique which she learned in icon classes several years ago. Faye works in a merging of styles including classical, modern and figurative surrealism. Faye often addresses the notion of spirituality in her work and recently, August 2011, she was the curator of the show titled Enlightenment at Stevens Square Center for the Arts.

Follow this link to view more of Faye's art on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/sets/72157600772047316/

Dignity, watercolor by cynTHIA

cynTHIA has been making art for almost all her life. cynTHIA has been a member of the Spectrum ArtWorks group for about five years and she brings to the group a lifetime of invaluable experience. She studied art in college and has shown her work in many venues throughout the TwinCities and metro area. cynTHIA enjoys making art and receiving the innate therapeutic benefits art allows through the expression of self. She often creates art inspired by the people who have meaning in her life. cynTHIA is skilled in many mediums and is currently working mainly with glass and mosaic as well as watercolor and watercolor pencil.

Follow this link to view more of cynTHIA's work on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/sets/72157622727790132/

Me Too, oil on canvas by Christi Furnas

Christi Furnas considers herself a Figurative Expressionist, working with both oil and pen and ink. Capturing a cast of emotions with color and brushstroke as well as feeling the movement of line is the focus of Christi's objective. She has been making and showing art in the Twin Cities for over fifteen years. Her work has been featured at venues such as Augsburg College, CorAzon, and The Warren Artist Habitat.

Christi has been with the Spectrum ArtWorks program for over eight years. Currently she is working as the Peer Support Specialist at Spectrum ArtWorks, and is painting and drawing in Minneapolis.

Follow this link to view more of Christi's work on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/sets/72157600772482839/

Thank you dearly for supporting the Spectrum ArtWorks program! Please continue to stay informed and show your support for Spectrum ArtWorks. You can follow us on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectrum-ArtWorks/169027723169

Continue to view and read our blog, as well as view lovely art on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/

Please contact Megan Andersen at mandersen@resource-mn.org

The Big Day is Finally Here!

2011-10-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

The Spectrum ArtWorks Open House & Art Sale is finally here...tomorrow!! Tuesday, October 25th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. We have been working incredibly hard and are excited to share this event with everyone! This year the open house will feature artwork by 27 artists. Fine art and crafts will be available for sale and there will be plenty of yummy refreshments served as well. Art will be on display on the two main levels of our building, and of course in the ArtWorks studio!

This event is FREE and open to the public. Stop by for an enjoyable experience, exploring our unique space, viewing amazing art and having the opportunity to meet the talented artists who created it all!

Please join us for this very special day. We hope to see you there!

The Spectrum ArtWorks Open House & Art Sale is located at:

Spectrum Community Mental Health

1825 Chicago Ave S

Minneapolis, MN 55404

Contact Arts Coordinator Megan Andersen for more information:

(612) 752-8282

What have Spectrum ArtWorks artists been up to?

2011-09-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone! It has been a busy few months for Spectrum ArtWorks! On Friday, September 2nd, Altered Esthetics Gallery in Northeast Minneapolis held an opening for a show titled Home. "Whether it is a place we came from, a place we dream about, or a settling destination; artists react to immigration, homelessness and what it means to have a sense of place in the world." This wonderful exhibit, Home, featured Spectrum ArtWorks artists Faye Buffington-Howell, Audrey Bernard and cynTHIA. This is the last week Home will be on display to the public and we will be bringing art back to the Spectrum ArtWorks studio this Saturday.

In other news... Spectrum ArtWorks has been celebrating an amazing opportunity awarded to artist Cecile Bellamy. Ramsey County recently commissioned Cecile for five of her beautiful watercolors. These watercolors are now on display as part of A Bridge to Health & Wellness's permanent collection. Congrats Cecile! A Bridge to Health & Wellness will house urgent care for Adult Mental Health, Chemical Health Assessment and Placement, Detox, and the Second Judicial District Commitment Court. NAMI Minnesota credits the creation of this new building as "bringing an unprecedented opportunity to improve and coordinate services to individuals experiencing either a mental or chemical health crisis, or both. The goal is to improve the availability of integrated, community-based, chemical and mental health services for this population." Cecile was invited as a special guest to attend the grand opening and official ribbon cutting ceremony. There, she met and spoke with Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael E. Ortega. Commissioner Ortega praised Cecile for her art as well as exhibited a large amount of support for mental health services.

Spectrum ArtWorks artists are gearing up for the annual Artability Art Show and Sale. This year Spectrum ArtWorks supported 13 artists to complete and submit artwork for this event! The Artabilty Art Show and Sale will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 N. Dale Street, St. Paul, MN 55103. The show runs October 6th - 8th with the opening reception on Thursday, October 6th at 6:00pm. We hope to see you there!

On a final, very exciting note... Spectrum ArtWorks
will be hosting the 5th Annual Open House & Art
Sale!! The open house and sale will be held on
Tuesday, October 25th, 4:00pm - 8:00pm. Please stop in and join us for refreshments and fantastic art! The Spectrum ArtWorks Open House and Art Sale will feature fine art and crafts... just in time for the holidays! The Spectrum ArtWorks studio is located at 1825 Chicago Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Please call or email Arts Coordinator, Megan Andersen, with any questions or requests for detail: (612) 752-8282 and mandersen@resource-mn.org

Also... remember to "like" Spectrum ArtWorks on facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectrum-ArtWorks/169027723169

Spectrum ArtWorks Events July 23rd!

2011-07-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone! Some exciting news from Spectrum ArtWorks! There is an event taking place on Saturday, July 23rd at the Regla De Oro Gallery on Lyndale Ave in Mpls. The Regla De Oro Gallery aims to represent local artists, participate in local public exhibits, and provides a percentage of net proceeds to Arts Education and Social Justice Non-Profit Organizations. Every six weeks a new artist is featured in the gallery. The artist is given the opportunity to select which non-profit organization they would like to benefit during their opening reception. Local artist Catherine A Palmer has selected Spectrum ArtWorks to be the beneficiary during her event.

Catherine A Palmer Artist Reception/

Spectrum ArtWorks Benefit

Saturday, July 23rd

3:00pm - 6:00pm

Regla De Oro Gallery-Art and Fair Trade Gifts

3007 Lyndale Ave South

Mpls, MN

20% of all purchases during this three hour opening reception/benefit event will proceed Spectrum ArtWorks!

For more information about Catherine A Palmer follow this link:http://www.catherineapalmer.com/

For more information about Regla De Oro Gallery follow this link:http://www.regladeoro.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=11579&Akey=2B782ELR

Please join us at Regla De Oro Gallery on Saturday, July 23rd! Come visit, have fun and show your support for local artists and the Spectrum ArtWorks program!

IN ADDITION!

In addition to the event at Regla we could like to share some exciting news about a new show opening at Stevens Square Center for the Arts. On the very same evening as the Regla De Oro event, Saturday, July 23rd, the opening of "Enlightenment will be held at the Stevens Square

gallery. This show will feature two Spectrum ArtWorks artists, Faye Buffington-Howell and cynTHIA. Not only will Faye's artwork be featured but she also played an immense role as one of the curators, selecting work by other artists and working to make the show come to life.

Please join us this special evening to celebrate the making of beautiful art as well as the efforts made by Spectrum ArtWorks artists to present the public with an impressive show!

"Enlightenment" Opening Reception

Saturday, July 23rd

7:00pm - 10:00pm

Stevens Square Center

for the Arts

1905 3rd Ave South

MPLS, MN

For more information about Stevens Square

Center for the Arts follow this link:

http://www.stevensarts.org/

We are looking forward to celebrating this special day! We hope to see you at one of or both of the events!

Thank you dearly for supporting the Spectrum ArtWorks program! Please continue to stay informed and show your support for Spectrum ArtWorks. You can follow us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectrum-ArtWorks/169027723169

Continue to view and read our blog, as well as view lovely art on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/

Please contact Megan Andersen at mandersen@resource-mn.org

We've been busy!

2011-06-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it is June?! Summer is in full bloom and Spectrum ArtWorks artists have been busy! A few months ago the artists were challenged to create large scale works of art and many of them have finished or are very close to completing. A few artists have even started to work on a second large scale piece of art! We are hoping to be able to showcase these large works of art sometime late summer or early fall.

The Sister Kenny 48th Annual International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities took place April 14th and was on display through May. It was a wonderful event and a huge success for the Spectrum ArtWorks Artists! Four of the artists were recognized with awards of honor and encouragement.

Today work was brought home from the Alliance Bank Building in St. Paul. The Spectrum ArtWorks artists had work on display in the skyway. We are hoping not only many of our current fans/supporters were able to visit this display but that we were also able to gain new attention and support from the community.

Spectrum ArtWorks artists have been busy in the studio making art as well as teaching others. The ArtWorks studio opens up to others for a weekly art class and weekly open studio time. The Spectrum ArtWorks artists work to help other members of Spectrum Community Mental Health Lighthouse CSP improve artistic abilities as well as provide opportunity to pursue individual creative endeavors. A six week still-life class has just concluded and this week was the beginning of color theory and painting with acrylics.

Thanks to everyone for checking in on whats new with the Spectrum ArtWorks program! The artists are busily creating new art and we are currently in the process of finding new venues to showcase their wonderful and inspiring work. Please stay tuned for whats next!

Thank you dearly for supporting the Spectrum ArtWorks program! Please continue to stay informed and show your support for Spectrum ArtWorks. You can follow us on our facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectrum-ArtWorks/169027723169

Continue to view and read our blog, as well as view lovely art on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/

Please contact Megan Andersen at mandersen@resource-mn.org

FAREWELL AMY RICE

2011-04-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

Spectrum ArtWorks has some big news to share with all supporters and fans. Last week our lovely Amy Rice, Coordinator of Spectrum ArtWorks, left to pursue an incredible dream of hers. This is bittersweet news. It is sad that she is leaving but also wonderful because she is going to work full-time as an artist. You can learn more about Amy and view her art here: http://www.amyrice.com/

Amy has been with Resource for 10 years. She created the Spectrum ArtWorks program and has been the key instrument that has made this program a success. Amy has enabled it to be a true means for the artist members to express themselves artistically, fight stigma associated with mental illness, and most importantly fine tune their artistic skills and share their beautiful art with others in the community. Over the last 10 years Amy has exhibited incredible loyalty to the Spectrum artists. Time after time Amy has demonstrated her dedication to using art as a tool for combating our community's negative ideas about mental illness. Her love and knowledge of art enables her to not only create beautiful art of her own but to inspire and assist others to create their own beautiful and meaningful art. Amy has been a constant reminder to all of us that art plays an incredible role in the recovery process, as well as in the process of healing individually and healing on a societal level. She also reminds us that while art is important because it is beautiful and makes our lives happier, it is also important because art possesses an inherent ability to communicate with others in our community. Please join us in sending happy thoughts and well wishes to Amy Rice as she embarks on this new journey in her life! As we say farewell to Amy it is also time to embrace the transition that is currently taking place with the Spectrum ArtWorks program. I am honored to introduce myself as the new Arts Coordinator for Spectrum ArtWorks. My name is Megan Andersen and I have been with Resource for 2 years. Throughout this time I have had the opportunity to work directly with Amy Rice as well as the amazing Spectrum ArtWorks artists that create the wonderful and inspiring work we all love so dearly. Christi Furnas is a local artist and has been hired to work with the artists as a Support Specialist. Together, Christi and I will be advocating for the Spectrum ArtWorks program. We will work hard with the artists as they continue to make incredible art so that we can continue to share their art with others. It continues to be an important goal of ours to educate others and fight stigma associated with mental illness through the process of art.

Continue to read and view our blog, as well as view lovely art on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/

Please contact Megan Andersen at mandersen@resource-mn.org

Spectrum ArtWorks Presidents Day Sale

2011-02-17T12:35:00.000-08:00

Spectrum ArtWorks Presidents Day Sale A Presidents Day Sale like no other!
(And that is one Presidents Day sales pitch that’s not hyperbole!)
Saturday, February 19th 1-5pm
Spectrum ArtWorks Studio
1825 Chicago Avenue South
Free and Open to the Public
Contact: Amy Rice arice@resource-mn.org 612-752-8242
High Resolution Images Available at bottom of this email

Presidents Day, besides giving many of us an extra day off, is intended to commemorate our nation’s presidents, all of whom had a hand in creating the country in which we are living.

The February holiday has become well-known for being a day in which many stores have sales and clearances. But it’s much more than that. The purpose of this day is to honor the office of the Presidency.

On Saturday, February 19, 2011 Spectrum ArtWorks Artists will do both: sell and honor. Here is the sell part: we have a studio full of last year’s artwork. Oil paintings, hand-pulled prints, ink drawings, photographs and more! All are high quality work from serious artists priced to sell! We need room for the 2011 art! (Did that sound enough like a Presidents Day sale pitch?)

Here is the Honor Part: The Spectrum ArtWorks Artists, in addition to making fantastic art, have a mission to break down stigma associated with Mental Illness through exhibitions, campaigns and educational projects. Throughout the years, Abraham Lincoln has served us repeatedly as a shining example of what a person living with a mental

RESOURCE 50th Anniversary Mural Unveiling and Open Studio Event

2010-11-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

RESOURCE 50th Anniversary Mural Unveiling
And
Third Annual Spectrum ArtWorks Holiday Open Studio Event

Please join us as we unveil the mural in its permanent location at 1900 Chicago Avenue South in the RESOURCE main building. A brief program will begin at 3:15. Then walk across the street to 1825 Chicago Avenue South and tour the Spectrum ArtWorks studio and have the opportunity to view and purchase work from the talented artists that made the mural possible.

Tuesday, November 30th 3pm – 7pm
1900 and 1825 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis
Free and open to the public

Contact Information: Amy Rice arice@resource-mn.org 612 752 8242

Yes I Can Work

2010-08-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

The "Yes I Can Work" campaign focuses on the fact that young people with disabilities have skills that are valuable in the workplace. Five works of art were selected to be reproduced as 17" x 22" posters for this awareness campaign aimed at employers, social service providers and the general public. The posters will be available from VSA Minnesota and Pathways to Employment at the State Council on Disability booth at the Minnesota State Fair.

Two Spectrum ArtWorks artists, Christi Furnas and Faye Howell were artists whose work was chosen to be made into posters. Congratulations Christi and Faye!

Winning poster image by Christi Furnas

50th anniversary mural progress

2010-08-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Spectrum ArtWorks artists are almost completed with the mural celebrating the 50th anniversary of RESOURCE. We asked all 400+ RESOURCE staff to sign a wooden leaf as if they were signing a card. The leaves are being raked in and it’s shaping up fantastic!

The Art of Making Art

2010-03-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

Minneapolis artist Christi Furnas has been busy working on a new series of oil paintings depicting artists at work. She has been popping into the Spectrum ArtWorks Studio lately on Mondays to take photos and do sketches as research.

The Spectrum ArtWorks artists take turns teaching 6-8 week classes on Mondays at our studio. This past month has been mask-making. In these small line drawings in ink Christi really captures the focus of the artists and the creative atmosphere of our studio.

You can see more examples at our Flickr here.

Our Friend Yuri Arajs

2010-02-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Spectrum ArtWorks heart Yuri and while we miss him here in Minnesota, we are so proud of the work he is doing in Canada!

In December of 2005, RESOURCE (Spectrum ArtWorks parent organization) co-sponsored the enormously successful Homeless Awareness Art Show at The Mall of America. The curator of this event was Yuri Arajs, former director of Outsiders and Others Gallery. Arajs was also named "RESOURCE’s Resourceful Person of the Year" in 2008 for all the work he had done with and on behalf of artists served by Spectrum Community Mental Health.

In 2008 Arajs left Minnesota for his homeland of Canada and now he is again hard at work to bring awareness and understanding to the issues of mental illness and homelessness through well currated fine arts exhibitions. His new nonprofit organization Victoria Fine Arts Festival recently launched it’s inaugural exhibition, Homeless Awareness: an Exhibition of Art Work by People Who Have Experienced Homelessness.

Yuri Arajs is not only a well-known curator, but also an established and collected artist in his own right. The Pivot Legal Society in Vancouver does great work on behalf of the homeless including the new Red Tent campaign. Using red tents, they will visually bring awareness of the issue to the world media in Vancouver from Feb 12 - 28, 2010. (Olympics). Yuri has created a beautiful limited edition fine art print to support The Pivot Legal Society and the work they do. Here is how you can get a print for yourself:

Artwork information:

Title: Red Tent 212282010
Medium: Two color silk screen, grease crayon, ink Paper size: 8.5" x 11"
Edition size: 125, Signed and numbered
Price: $25 US or CAN
Shipping $5 Anywhere in US or Canada
Payment: customers in Canada - Paypal, check, cash. Customers in US -
Paypal, cash.
To buy, simply reply to this email (or at yuri@yuriarajs.com) with the
following information:
1. How many prints you want.
2. Your complete name and mailing address.
3. How you would like to pay. If by Paypal, please include your account name
and I will send you an invoice there.
You will receive a confirmation email from me which will include a mailing
address to mail cash or check if you are paying that way.

be our fan on facebook

2010-01-21T07:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Spectrum-ArtWorks/169027723169?ref=ts

2nd Annual Spectrum Artworks Holiday Open Studio and Sale

2009-11-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

Thursday, December 10th from 5-8 pm

Spectrum ArtWorks Studio
1825 Chicago Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Contact information:
Amy Rice arice@resource-mn.org
612 752 8242

Fine art and holiday cards and gifts made by over 20 amazing local artists.
Free and open to the public.

Spectrum ArtWorks Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7725496@N05/

Gratitude

2009-11-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

Gratitude: New Work by Audrey Bernard, Christi Furnas and cynTHIA

November 9th-December 8th

Central Lakes College Gallery

Branerd Campus, Brainard, MN

As artists, Audrey Bernard, Christi Furnas and Thia all make art that documents their lives and the lives of the people who surround them. The emotional content of their portrait work is almost tangible. The viewer can feel the intensity of love the between the artist and her muse and partner, the loneliness of the distance between the grandmother and her children living in a country far away, the joy and challenge in celebrating new family dynamics brought on by life and circumstance.

These are not artist who have enjoyed privileged lives or even ordinary ones. Each woman has overcome tremendous obstacles. That their art is a celebration of their lives is a testament to their character.

All three artists have shown their work extensively in Twin Cites Galleries. They are all also members of the award winning Spectrum ArtWorks Group and as a part of that nonprofit art organization have used their energy and talents to educate literally thousands of people on issues of mental illness, homelessness, disability rights and inclusiveness. Their efforts have been nationally and locally recognized.

Spectrum Artists Win Award!

2009-09-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs has awarded Spectrum ArtWorks Artists with the 2009 Public Information Award. This award is given to a group or individual for effectively telling the story of mental health and mental health services through public relations, anti-stigma, community education, newsletters, feature articles, or in other innovative ways.

The artists have been invited to Duluth for an awards ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, September 24th during the annual mental Health Conference.

We'll post photos from our road trip to Duluth!

photo: May Day Parade 2007

Christ Furnas at CorAzon

2009-09-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

All For The Love of a Cat

Oil Paintings by Christi Furnas

Opening Reception, Thursday September 17th 5-8 pm

CorAzon

http://www.corazononline.com/

1026 washington ave south (The Bridgewater building) minneapolis, mn 612.333.1662

The Midway Cafe in St. Paul

2009-09-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

Some of the Spectrum ArtWorks artists have work up at The Midway cafe at 1342 Thomas Avenue in Saint Paul through September.

Gary Wins AGAIN

2009-09-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Spectrum Artworks artist Gary Clements took best in show for the second year running at The Sister Kenny International Art Show for Artists with Disabilities!

Some nice press for Gary:

http://www.bridgelandnews.org/7778

Homeless Awareness

2009-09-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Spectrum ArtWorks collaborated with The Dignity Center of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church to raise awareness about issues pertaining to mental illness and homelessness with an art show and event.

This piece was made by Spectrum ArtWorks artist cynTHIA for the event. It is titled: "My Mother Never Got Over It"

Text in Art:

Fire Destroys Pike Creek Farm Home
From the Little Falls Daily Transcript, Little Falls, MN
Wednesday, November 15, 1967 – Vol. 76 – No. 160 – Page1

A Little Falls family of 12 stands homeless today as the result of a fire, which leveled their farm home late Tuesday afternoon. Mr. And Mrs. Richard Doschka and their children, ranging from in ages from 12 to 10 months, all escaped unharmed as fire ripped through their Pike Creek Township home, six miles south of Little Falls, about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. According to witnesses, the house suddenly burst into flames as though something on the inside had exploded. By the time the Little Falls rural Fire Department arrived on the scene the house was too far gone to save.The structure was completely destroyed. While the Doshkas are being cared for by neighbors, the Red Cross has started a drive to try and replace some of the belongings which the Doschkas lost. Clothing is especially needed and is being collected at the Little Falls Fire Hall. The girls in the family are aged 12, nine, eight, six, three and one.The boys are 11, five, two and a baby boy 10 months old. Mr. Doschka takes a large size in men’s clothing while Mrs. Doschka is of average size.

The Myth of the Family Farm

Every story passed down by family reports that the family farm was no the traditional two story white farmhouse of the 1960s. Already homeless, the family of 12 had moved into a grain silo. The temperature on the day was around 40 degrees.

A Death in the Family
From the Little Falls Daily Transcript, Little Falls, MN
Monday, November 27, 1967

Dennis Doschka --- Graveside services were held this afternoon, from Our Lady of Lourder Church, for Dennis Doschka, 10-month old son of Mr. And Mrs. Richard Doschka, who died Saturday Morning. In addition to his Parents he is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Richard, John, Anthony, Tina Marie, Chathleen, Christine, Lori, Mary Ann and Joyce; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Doschka and Mr. and Mrs. George Lintner.

We're Still Making Art and Fighting Stigma

2009-09-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

We are just so busy we havn't updated our blog recently! I'm just going to go ahead and update ya all. You can (and you should) see our entire exhibition from late last winter, Out of the Blue, that was at the Gage Galleries at Augsburg College here: http://theblueshow.blogspot.com/

Open Studio Scheduled for November 20th

2008-10-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Spectrum Artworks Open Studio And Fine Art Sale

Thursday, Nov. 20th 5-9 pm
Free and open to the public

Artwork available for purchase from over 20 professional artists

For more information contact Amy Rice at 612.752.8242

Location:
Spectrum Community Mental Health
1825 Chicago Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404

click here for a map

We've been busy!

2008-10-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

So, we havn't posted any news in awhile, but we have been very busy making art, having shows, building community, breaking down stigma...the stuff we do!

The first annual Living Beyong Poster Show was a huge sucsess, you can read an awesome article about it in the MinnPost here. The image above is one of three posters produced from winning entries.

Some other cool things that happened were that we had a group show at Stevens Square Center for the Arts, we participated in the Artibility at Apallo show and The Sisiter Kinney International Art Show for Artists with Disabilities. Our own Gary Clements won best of show and you can read an article about that in The Bridge here.

Here are some other place where we were in the news in the last year:
-mnartists dialouge on art and the mind
-another article that originally appered on mnartists about out show at intermedia
-Spectrum ArtWorks director in national magazine
-Faye recieves second annual Yuri Arajs mentorship award

Art & Healing: Mind Fields at Intermedia Arts

2007-09-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

Spectum ArtWorks is very excited to be involved in the upcoming Intermedia Arts Exhibition, Mind Fields: Art and Healing

Explore the many dimensions of the invisible and make psychological realities tangible. Art & Healing: Mind Fields is a unique opportunity to see the mind from the inside out. This groundbreaking new exhibit from Intermedia Arts takes a frank and creative look at neurological and mental health—inviting local artists and health care practitioners to address the ways in which artistic expression can be used as a tool for healing.

We'll be posting photos of the installation process and more next week!

image: Brad Parsons

All That I Am: The Art of Faye Buffington

2007-09-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

Spectrum Artist Faye Buffington's solo show "All That I Am", is currently on display at Stevens Square Center For The Arts in Minneapolis.

Audrey Bernard in Annual Untitled Show at Soo Visual Arts Center

2007-06-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

Spectrum Artist Audrey Bernard has work in the 2007 annual juried exhibit at the Soo Visual Art Center in Minneapolis.

Soo Visual Arts Center presents its sixth annual juried show, Untitled 6, on June 22nd. The jurors had the difficult task of reviewing nearly 200 entries. The artists were among entrants who responded to an open call inviting artists working in any medium, at any stage of their careers, to submit work. Ultimately, 20 diverse artists were selected for the exhibition. The show will offer something for everyone including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture & even images made with exhaust pipe detritus.

The show was previewed by mnartists.org and Audrey was one of six artists that the article's author, Ann Klefstad, felt were the real stand outs. Here is what she had to say about Audey's work:
Audrey Bernard does straightforward portraits of people she seems to know—Miss Chimp, David, Davia, others—but imbues them with what painters can give. She sees on a different plane. I don’t know if it’s more truthful or less—but it is different, and it enables us to see differently too. Having this doubled vision suddenly makes the world three-dimensional—it’s like, having lived with one eye all your life, you suddenly are granted binocular vision. Things jump into high relief. They become themselves.

Untitled 6 (Main Gallery)
June 22-August 25, 2007Opening Reception Friday, June 22 from 7- 10pm

2007 Pride Art Show

2007-06-18T11:45:00.001-07:00

Spectrum Artist Christi Furnas has work in the 2007 Pride Art Show. The Pride Art Show Opening Night Party was held on Friday, June 15, 2007, and an ongoing show will run through July 22. The Opening Night Party featured entertainment, a brief program and refreshments. Over 300 people joined us at the opening party, a new record for the Pride Art Show
This year's Art Show takes place at The Soap Factory in Minneapolis at 520 SE 2nd Street through July 22.
The art show features works by GLBT artists and/or those with GLBT themes. Admission is free and open to all ages.

44th Annual Sister Kinney International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities

2007-04-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

Many Spectrum Artists are participating again this year in the Sister Kinney International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities. This is a great oppurtunity to view and purchase an amazing array of artwork from artists all over the world.

The 2007 Sister Kinney International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities will run April 19 through May 18 on the second floor of the Sister Kenny Building of Abbott Northwestern Hospital at 800 E. 28th Street in Minneapolis. Click her for a map.

A grand opening event for the art show will be held on Thursday, April 19 from 5-8pm. The opening night reception is an opportunity to meet many of the artists, and view and purchase artwork.

“The art show is a long-standing tradition of which we are very proud,” said Lori Knutson, executive director, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. “Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute’s mission is about helping individuals progress towards their personal best and our art show is an extension of that -- highlighting the abilities of those who experience physical or mental limitations.”Knutson also noted that Abbott Northwestern Hospital has a permanent art collection from past shows, which has grown over the years and includes approximately 350 pieces of art, including nearly 200 pieces of art on display in the hospital.

Approximately one-quarter of the art show entries are sold each year, with 75 percent of the proceeds going to benefit the individual artists.

*Artwork shown was Lynnda Jones award winning piece from last years Sister Kinney exhibit.

Pretty Darn Swell Print by Audrey Bernard

2007-04-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

Beginning on April 4th, you will be able to purchase a small, high quality print of this piece, "They Call her Miss Chimp" from Spectrum Artist Audrey Bernard. The print is $20 from Pretty Darn Swell and $5 from each sale goes to the non-profit organization of the artists choosing, and Audrey chose Spectrum ArtWorks!

Lynnda Jones at in Art Reincarnated at Altered Esthetics

2007-04-02T09:04:00.000-07:00

The modern world is full of waste and clutter. Recycled-works artists have a knack for taking something old and unwanted and breathing a beautiful new life into it, creating masterpieces that are simultaneously fresh and seasoned. A stylishly refurbished armoire, a computer monitor turned into a mod fish tank, a canvas repainted with a new vibrant image… please join us for our April exhibit "Art Reincarnated" as we celebrate this innovative, aesthetically intriguing and environmentally friendly genre of the arts.
Opening Reception: Friday April 6, 2007 7pm-9pm

altered esthetics
1224 quincy st ne
minneapolis mn 55413
(in the northeast arts district)

gallery hours:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:00pm - 7:00pm

Imaging Today's Labor Movement

2007-04-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

The American labor movement has an amazing history of graphic production, creating some of the most effective political images in the history of this country. However, work and workers, along with the labor movement, are often depicted as experiences of the American past: photographs of children in factories in the early l900’s, paintings of Joe Hill or Rosa Parks, historic strikes and Rosie the Riveter.Now the labor movement needs new images of the issues confronting workers today. A call for artists was put forth and members of Spectrum ArtWorks participated in this search for a new imagery. We are very proud to announce that Spectrum ArtWorks artist Brad Parsons has had his piece chosen to be exhibited at The Bread and Roses Gallery in the Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Center in New York City, one of only 25 pieces chosen to exhibit, he may be one of five to have his work reproduced and distributed nation wide!

Brad's Poster, "Can Legally Fire You" highlights the fact that in 33 states an employee can legally fire someone if they perceive you as being gay.

Congratulations Brad and good luck in the show!

Good-Bye Outsiders and Others Gallery

2007-02-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Four years ago this month, the Spectrum ArtWorks program was in its infancy. We were excited about receiving some funding from United Way for an online art gallery; we were pleased as punch to show the artwork of our members in a couple local art shows for artists with disabilities. It was then that I received a call from a man named Yuri Arajs, he and his business partner Beth Parkhill had just opened a gallery down the street from us called “Outsiders and Others Gallery”. One of their very first shows was to be a show featuring artists living with a mental illness and did we have any work that we might want to submit for that show.

I will never forget that first opening; the walls were white and the lighting impeccable. The artists were artists and not poster people for disability. One of the artists in that first show had always identified himself as “a schizophrenic”, as in “Hi, my name is Bob and I’m a schizophrenic.” That night I heard him as he was introduced to an admirer of his work and he said, “Hi, my name is Bob and I’m an artist.”

In the past four years Outsiders and Others Gallery has exhibited the works of close to 20 Spectrum ArtWorks Artists with the majority of those artists displaying their work in shows that have had nothing to do with disability or mental illness. The Spectrum ArtWorks program has benefited by our association with Outsiders and Others Gallery tremendously; to have had such a well respected gallery with an amazing array of talented staff and volunteers care about our program and our members has kept us strong and proud and motivated.

Because of the welcoming and accessible atmosphere created by Outsiders and Others Gallery, hundreds of people were able to go to an art gallery and enjoy and learn to appreciate art. People with mental illness and with other disabilities, people who were homeless, people without money to buy art, all people were welcomed to come in and take a look.

Thank you Yuri. Thank you Beth. Thank you to all the volunteers and to the board of directors. Thank you to all the amazing artists (especially to those of you who really put yourselves out there to combat stigma in the Mental Health Awareness and the Homeless Awareness Shows). Thank you to the press for all the great coverage. Thanks to everyone who came to a show and to everyone who bought some art. Thank you to all the sponsors. Thank you to Minneapolis for being such an awesome art supporting city.

Please come out to the final gallery closing party on March 10th from 7-10 pm and say good-bye and thanks.

In all sincerity,

Amy Rice and The Spectrum ArtWorks Program

Crazy In Love

2007-02-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

If we would have had our blog here up and running last month, we would have posted some information about Spectrum Artist Christi Furnas and her solo show at The Warren. Alas, we were not prepared but we can still give you a link to the article in The Pulse that highlights The Warren and the work of Christi, plus we can pleasure your eyeballs with this lovely painting from the show.

One Love

2007-02-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

Spectrum ArtWorks Artist Audrey Bernard is having a fantastic month. Her work is featured in the current show Today's Love Stories at Outsiders and Others Gallery and The Downtown Journal did an article on love that came out today, Valentines Day, and featured Audrey's work from that show. Here's the best part:

Art of love

Audrey Bernard’s artwork is on display at the Outsiders and Others Gallery in Elliot Park, in an exhibit called “Today’s Love Stories.”
The love story behind her artwork began in July 1989, when she left her children behind in Jamaica and moved to the United States. Since that time, she has returned home just twice, and her health has prevented her from seeing her five children and eight grandchildren for the past nine years.
In the midst of deep sadness, Bernard started spending time in an art studio run by Spectrum Community Mental Health. She learned printmaking techniques and started reconstructing photographs of her family into paintings.
“I wasn’t interested in painting, but I would keep coming every day because I was depressed,” Bernard said. Eventually, she said, the work gave her a sense of peace.
“This keeps me a little more in touch,” she said.
In addition to the show at Outsiders and Others, her paintings such as the brightly colored “Grandkids with Attitude” are also on display this week on the 8th floor of the IDS Center.
“Painting is something I didn’t know I had in me,” Bernard said. “To see where I came from, thinking about the depression to where I am today, it makes me very happy. I am very proud of my kids.”

And as if that weren’t enough excitement Audrey also has work featured in Layers: an exploration of race and identity
at The Minneapolis Foundation.

Us in Context

2007-02-14T20:32:00.000-08:00

Here are some links for you to put our program in context:

Spectrum ArtWorks is a program of Spectrum Community Mental Health

Spectrum Community Mental Health is a division of RESOURCE.

We have an online gallery that displays the work of members of the larger Spectrum Community.

Do you want to learn more about mental illness? The National Association of Mental Illness has an informative website.

2006 Rocked!

2007-02-14T20:24:00.000-08:00

In 2006 Spectrum ArtWorks moved to an a amazing new studio, we made a giant mentally ill puppet and marched him in the May Day Parade to combat stigma associate with the disease, we had a very successful group show at Stevens Square Center for the Arts, we assisted over 20 artists in procuring show opportunities in Minneapolis and beyond, we received a "Making Arts Accessible" Award from the Minnesota VSA and NAMI-MN (National Association of Mental Illness/Minnesota) named Spectrum ArtWorks program manager Amy Rice "Mental Health Provider of the Year".