Look Closer: New work by artist-in-residence Jennifer Crone
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"Look Closer", by Jennifer Elizabeth Crone oil paint, sheet music, pages from found book |
GoodSearch, Great Cause
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betterArts seeks to provide an opportunity for creative exploration and growth to artists, writers, and musicians within the context of Better Farm's dynamic environment. Through artist residencies, low-cost and free music and art lessons, studio space, and gallery openings and events, betterArts exists as a focal point for the local art community and beyond.
There's a very easy way to help! Just download the GoodSearch - betterArts toolbar. Then, each time you search the web with GoodSearch's Yahoo-powered search engine, about a penny will go to betterArts.
Search engines last year generated close to $8 billion in revenue from advertisers. GoodSearch developed a way to direct some of that money to the causes you care about most. Add up the money generated from all your searches and those by everyone else using GoodSearch, and we can make a real difference.
Thanks in advance for helping out! And please spread the word. The more people syncing GoodSearch with betterArts, the more this little organization can do. Here's the link again:
Viva Better!
betterArts Resident Guides Us Through One Painting's Process
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by Jennifer Elizabeth Crone
Once upon a time on the Upper West Side of Manhattan I was walking to the train and found a 33x29 inch painting in a wood frame on the sidewalk, discarded with the trash. The painting, signed from 1961, was not much to look at, but a canvas is a canvas, so I took it home and it sat in my living room, butter side against the wall, for months. Until now.
The first thing I did was create this tree out of bits of the Robert Ludlum book The Matarese Circle, which I also found in the street in Manhattan. I ripped up pages and spent a few hours putting tiny pieces together to make the above tree and branches, affixed with gel medium.
Next I painted over the text to make the tree "move" or appear more dimensional.
After painting the tree I added an aqua color I mixed with terpenoid to create drips.
Next I did yellow...
And finally olive green.
Then I began to work on the background, putting more space between the old painting and the tree with its drips.
I then created a ribbon curling down the tree and appearing from off canvas.
And finally I added warmth and more dimension in the fog-like middle ground. That's the technical process, for the theory and intellectual bits, well I'll never tell.
Post originally published on Jennifer Elizabeth Crone's blog.
Once upon a time on the Upper West Side of Manhattan I was walking to the train and found a 33x29 inch painting in a wood frame on the sidewalk, discarded with the trash. The painting, signed from 1961, was not much to look at, but a canvas is a canvas, so I took it home and it sat in my living room, butter side against the wall, for months. Until now.
Next I did yellow...
"Street Art is Dead" oil and mixed media on found canvas, 33x29 in wood frame
Post originally published on Jennifer Elizabeth Crone's blog.
Crafters Wanted for 1,000 Islands Extravaganza
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The club seeks crafters and vendors to participate in the three-day event. Further information and registration forms are available on the Highway Legends Car Club's website.
Sustain Yourself with an Internship at Better Farm
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| 2010 intern Joe Pintaudi |
Better Farm's sustainability internship program runs in one- to three-month intervals and is available to individuals interested in a myriad of sustainability issues; with each unpaid internship tailored to suit a specific person's needs and goals.
From working in our organic garden to caring for livestock to lending a hand in any number of green-building projects to helping out in the community-at-large, interns at Better Farm get to design a work-study program to benefit themselves and the world around them. Field trips, community projects, volunteer work, weekly farmers' markets, and day-to-day operations at what is truly a living lab of sustainable initiatives and communal living offers Better Farm interns an unrivaled living experience.
To download an application and learn more about this opportunity, click here.
New Painting by betterArts Resident Jennifer Elizabeth Crone
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| "Glow" by artist-in-residence Jennifer Elizabeth Crone, 11x14 Gallery Canvas, pages from found book, oil |
BodyHeart: A movement celebrating the ART of the female form
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Kristen and daughter Riley Caldwell's self-portrait for BodyHeart's site.
Amber Krzys is on a mission. She's hellbent on changing the way women see and relate to their bodies. Wanting to make a difference, she founded BodyHeart; a movement encouraging women to celebrate the ART of their own form. Women in this campaign inspire by allowing their un-retouched images to capture the truth of how beauty truly comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages.
Submit your photo here.
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Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Sets Two Watertown Performances
/Rounding out a full season of performances in Watertown, N.Y., the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra has slated its final two shows for March 21 and April 28, 2011 at the Dulles State Office Building.
"Broadway Giants: The Music of Gershwin, Ellington, and Porter" is scheduled for March 21. Virtuoso pianist Andrew Russo and the inimitable jazz vocalist Ronnie Leigh—both Central New York favorites—will perform with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. The concert will include "Rhapsody in Blue" and other great works by Gershwin, Ellington, and Porter. The event will be conducted by Michael Butterman.
"Brilliant Beethoven"is scheduled April 28 and features Daniel Hege as conductor and Andrew Zaplatynsky on violin. To be performed are Beethoven's "Violin Concerto" and "Symphony No. 6".
Tickets are $40. For more information and to purchase seats, click
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'Yoga for Creativity' Workshop Planned
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In "Yoga for Creativity," Lisa will guide students on an exploration of practices based on ancient wisdom to uncover the freedom that lives inside each of us. Classic yogic practices and philosophy will help remove obstacles, uncover source material, and engender stability in your creative work or daily life. In the spirit of inquiry students will focus on connections between creation and yoga including: allowing intention to arise, anchoring resolution, coping with disturbances, and integrating the will.
You already have the inner resources necessary to participate; whether you are an artist or an ‘everyday’ creative, this program supports a person's needs to express oneself and experience contentment. All art supplies and materials provided.
Yoga experience not necessary; curiosity, courage, and uncertainty are.
To sign up for this workshop and to see a complete list of Better Farm's 2011 programming, click here.
Outdoor Adventure Workshops Scheduled!
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Patrick Mostyn scales Hurricane Mountain on an Adirondack High Peaks Adventure hike led by Craig Rice.
Now that we're getting our 2011 programming in order, check back regularly on Better Farm's workshops page for new courses being offered in everything from yoga to timber frame construction. Kicking us off this year are a series of outdoor adventures led by our friend, neighbor, and survivalism and outdoors expert, Craig Rice:
June 10-12
BACKWOODS 101: Introduction to wild edible plants & primitive camping
This course will focus on the importance of properly identifying plants, leaf structures, different parts of plants, harvesting and preparing, as well as positive recognition of poisonous plants. Students will will canoe or kayak down Black Creek looking for edible plants and a good camping area to build a primitive campsite overnight. In the instance of inclement weather the group may elect to use the outfitter’s tent. Participants should bring a bedroll, netting, flashlight, poncho, and water bottle. A daypack for hauling your gear will be beneficial. Pack light! Better Farm will provide food to take along and bug spray. Group will meet at Better Farm the evening of Friday, June 10 for dinner and orientation, heading out for Black Creek Saturday morning and returning Sunday.
Cost: $160
ADIRONDACK HIGH PEAKS ADVENTURE
Experience two or more nights in the wilderness on one of four mountains:
,
,
, or
. We will either camp primitively at a site chosen in the field or ruck out in a lean-to if one is available. All summits are open with tremendous views of the surrounding mountains from New York’s Mt. Marcy and Champlain Valley to the Green Mts. of Vermont. These trips are strenuous and require that you are in good physical condition. Proper attire is mandatory, good hiking/backpacking boots a must. You will be expected to carry a pack weighing 25 pounds or more and partake in setting up and breaking camp. Awesome trips for those tough enough. Trip planning is dynamic, the abilities and desires of your group will form our goals. Outfitting for four people: packs, sleeping bags, pads, Gortex outerwear, and more is available, please contact info@betterfarm.org with your needs. Group will meet at Better Farm Thursday evening for dinner and orientation, and leave from there Friday morning. Group will return to Better Farm Sunday.
Hurricane Mountain:
June 23-26, Oct 7-9, Moderate, $400, group size limited to 6
Note: Hurricane is the least strenuous mountain to climb and provides perhaps some of the best views as well as a lean-to. An excellent mountain to consider.
Whiteface Mountain:
July 28-31 Strenuous, $450, group size 4
Giant Mountain:
Aug 25-28 Moderate, $400, group size 3-6
Dix & Noonmark Mountain:
Sept 29- Oct 3 Very Strenuous, $500, group size 4
July 15-17; Aug. 12-14; Sept. 9-11; Oct. 14-16
ADIRONDACK ADVENTURE
Travel to Wanakena, N.Y. in the beautiful Adirondack foothills and put down an afternoon hike to the summit of Cat Mountain with spectacular views of endless Adirondack wilds, a few more miles of hiking, and overnight in an authentic Adirondack lean-to. Go swimming or canoeing while your guides prepare an outdoor banquet that is sure to bring the bears running! The next morning after breakfast, we’ll have a pleasant woods walk along a mostly flat trail back to the trailhead and civilization. Sleeping bag, proper attire, extra socks, hiking boots, and backpack along with a camera will do you well. We’re happy to make our extra gear available if needed. Each group will meet at Better Farm Thursday evening for dinner and orientation, and leave from there Friday morning. Group will return to Better Farm Sunday.
Cost: $320 includes transportation, three meals and drinks, kayaks and canoes rentals, two guides, and a good time. Please specify in a note on Paypal which dates you are signing up for.
Aug. 19-21
BUSHWHACKING 101: Intro to orienteering & primitive camping
In "Bushwhacking 101" we will discuss map symbols, contour lines, gradient and route finding, as well as plotting a course, recognizing and using natural features, and establishing a backup plan. We will learn skills to navigate with a compass, variation, declination, taking bearings, following headings, triangulation, dead reckoning, getting lost, and getting out. Students will also learn backup methods for navigating such as wind direction, the sunshine, the stars, etc. We will follow up some classroom time, practice and planning with a bushwhack through trailless woods to our primitive campsite and return the following day. Each student will receive a quality magnetic compass and topographic maps of the surrounding area for this course. Participants should bring a bedroll, netting, flashlight, poncho, and waterbottle. A daypack for hauling your gear will be beneficial, pack light! Better Farm will provide food to take along and bugspray. Group will meet at Better Farm the evening of Friday, Aug. 19 for dinner and orientation, heading into the woods Saturday morning and returning Sunday.
Cost: $160
Click
for a full listing of Better Farm workshops and to sign up.
Video: Growing hydroponic lettuce
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An inside look at commercially grown, hydroponic lettuce.
Nominations Sought for 'Arts All Stars'
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Athlete of the Week? Academic All-Stars? All great programs. But how about adding Arts All-Stars?
The North Country Arts Council, in conjunction with WWNY TV 7, has initiated a new arts-recognition project to recognize excellence in the arts by area high school students.
All high-school age public, private, and home-schooled writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, dancers, actors, chefs, fashion designers, or any other sort of creative artists are eligible for this award. Nominations must be made by a public, private, or home school teacher, guidance counselor, or school administrator.
Criteria for evaluation is on the basis of creativity, development of technique, attitude, and work ethic.
The Arts Council will take nominations beginning immediately. The Arts All-Star will receive recognition as a top achiever in Northern New York, a TV 7 news interview showcasing some of the students work, giving background on the student's arts developments, and sharing plans for his or her future and a certificate of achievement.
To submit a nomination, contact the North Country Arts Council at artsallstars@nnyart.org with a short biography of the student, a brief explanation of why you are nominating the student, and three to five samples of his or her work.
The North Country Arts Council, in conjunction with WWNY TV 7, has initiated a new arts-recognition project to recognize excellence in the arts by area high school students.
All high-school age public, private, and home-schooled writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, dancers, actors, chefs, fashion designers, or any other sort of creative artists are eligible for this award. Nominations must be made by a public, private, or home school teacher, guidance counselor, or school administrator.
Criteria for evaluation is on the basis of creativity, development of technique, attitude, and work ethic.
The Arts Council will take nominations beginning immediately. The Arts All-Star will receive recognition as a top achiever in Northern New York, a TV 7 news interview showcasing some of the students work, giving background on the student's arts developments, and sharing plans for his or her future and a certificate of achievement.
To submit a nomination, contact the North Country Arts Council at artsallstars@nnyart.org with a short biography of the student, a brief explanation of why you are nominating the student, and three to five samples of his or her work.
New Art Space Celebrates with Soft Opening Tomorrow!
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The event will feature work by local artists, networking opportunities for organizations, artists, students, teachers, and corporations, and refreshments.
All arts-related organizations and individuals are encouraged to bring brochures, business cards, and flyers to share. Goal one at this new space is to provide a place for folks to go when looking for local arts information.
Arts on the Square is located at in the Franklin Building at 52 Public Square (formerly the YMCA) in Watertown. Promoting growth in and through all art forms, the space will be open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays beginning Feb. 23.
