What is Studio?

What is it like to work in the real world?
Wrong question. The real world does not exist.
Or rather, the real world is none other than this one, so stop waiting to get ready for the next time when you figure it all out. Ready? Set. Go!

This week we'll visit a local painter in her studio and you'll be able to see what it looks like to not go to class, not have critiques, not have those pesky instructors always nagging you to do your homework. Are you ready to work for yourself?

Next week we'll talk about one of the most potentially catastrophic questions in our field: "What is Art?" There are plenty of resources to base opinions on, but what do you think? Does the institution make it "Art?" Can anything be "Art?" Is there art, and then Art?

August Happenings

Coffee & Crayons V: Come meet Friday Arts Project folks after Winthrop's freshman convocation picnic on Monday, August 24.

All are welcome.

Coffee, refreshments, crayons and paper will be provided.

We'll gather in the Dinkins Student Center parking lot at 8:00 to walk/carpool over to Courtney's place.


The Marshall Tucker Band will be in concert on August 29 at the Old Town Amphitheater at City Hall. Show starts at 7:00 PM.

Friday Arts Project is partnering with the City of Rock Hill to promote community events in Old Town. At the concert, Friday Arts Project will have an exclusive balcony area reserved at a huge discount! Instead of the $28 general admission, we have a limited number of $10 tickets for F.A.P. friends who are Winthrop students & alumni.

There will also be a coffee bar.

Contact Stephen (scrotts86@gmail.com) or Cameron (buncec2@winthrop.edu) for more information.

See you in Old Town!


Our Monday night portrait sessions continue on August 31. We will have a clothed model for a two-hour pose. Sessions are open to experienced individuals who desire to work with a live model.

Tables and chairs are provided. Please bring any other materials. No instruction will take place.

There is a $5 suggested charge for the model.

Parking available in the White Street lot at First A.R.P. Sessions are upstairs.

Hope to see you there!

New Works

New Works exhibition is up at the Perimeter Gallery at the Center for the Arts in Rock Hill.

Featuring work by:
-Mary Courtney Blake
-Cameron Bunce
-Stephen Crotts
-Brandi Voigt Fox
-Daniel Romanoski
-Nicki Verechia

Reception Wednesday, July 22 from 4-6 PM

Work on view presently through July 31, 2009

Gazing Into the Abyss

Photograph by Robert Murphy

Christian Wiman is a writer and the editor of Poetry magazine - the premier publisher of contemporary verse. This essay is an account of how his creative work lead him into despair, and ultimately to a "hope toward God."

To believe that being conscious means primarily being conscious of loss, to find life authentic only in the apprehension of death, is to pitch your tent at the edge of an abyss, “and when you gaze long into the abyss,” Nietzsche says, “the abyss also gazes into you.” I blinked.

Read it here.

The Empty Page

Jon Acuff talks about the value of the arts. Read here.

I was skimming and found some good thoughts on creativity.

http://www.peterhreynolds.com/ideas.html

Good to be reminded.

Friday Arts Project Alum interviewed

Hey folks - here's my talk with Christy at IAM. Also, check out the other interviews!

Lauren Pope, with writing from the Pope

Hey guess what.

What you say?

Did you know that the Pope (big hat, armored golf cart, lives in Rome) wrote a letter to you?

You didn't know?

it's here but...

there's writing about it here that makes a nice edit of it.


Even beyond its typically religious expressions, true art has a close affinity with the world of faith, so that, even in situations where culture and the Church are far apart, art remains a kind of bridge to religious experience.

I'm not saying that I completely agree with the letter to the details, but there are nice points. It's reassuring and validating to have the attention of someone called the "Heir of Christ" whether you ascribe to that or not.

lots to chew on,
and as a reminder, Nicki will be talking about her work this Friday at Augellos ( be there at 8am ) and be reading Amos for Sunday.

Be well
do good work