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"I was the first, or maybe you would call me the " test dummy" resident, in the fall of 2010. It was a wonderful and beneficial experience and as soon as I can I want to return. Besides the uninterrupted time for painting, I treasured both the time alone and the time I got to spend with Camille. While there I worked from older drawings to produce new paintings and mixed media pieces of the artist at work. [The donated pieces] have shown at various venues in Charlotte and around the state, and the mixed media piece titled "Painter #1 was used for a book cover for "Suite for Three Voices" by Derek Furr."
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Model for the Original Building
 As previously stated, Camille has been working on a model for the new Azule building. The foundation of this structure was put in place six years ago, and as Camille explains in this video, "we stopped building at the level when it became wood".
This makes us remember an earlier model for an earlier building that Camille also painstakingly built by hand: the model for the original structure!
Previous newsletters and facebook posts have documented the creation of the model for the current building. This photo and the video below document the original model.
Let's fall back in time for a moment and remember the good old days when much of the current Azule structure was still being built - and then let's fall forward in time and review a future in which the future building is being built!
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Thanks to Bailey Barash for her wonderful video production "Azule... Imagine" - this segment specifically described the creation of the original model.
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 Amanda Kendrick was our highly prolific and incredibly talented painting resident for September. She received her BFA in Studio Art from Albion College in Albion, Michigan. Kendrick’s paintings have been included in several juried exhibitions including: the All-Media National Juried Show in Arnold, Maryland; The 6th Annual Armstrong National 2-D Competition Exhibition in Savannah, Georgia; among others.
Amanda primarily works with oils, and her interests lie in portraying memory and family through the aesthetic presentation of candy, toys, and other artifacts from childhood. While she was a resident she continued pursuing an innovative idea of making a reversible painting by affixing an old painted canvas to the back of another painting. She manipulated both paintings and the resulting two-sided canvas can be hung on either side so that viewers can enjoy two different creations at once. She also worked on some commissions and created an incredible quantity of work in her month-long stay at Azule. She also began working on a series of triptychs involving interchangeable toy parts - the example with the Barbie head, gumby body, and Dorothy feet is highlighted above right. More on Amanda can be seen here. |
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 Caitlin Cloninger, photographer extraordinaire, was another visual arts resident at Azule during September. Hailing from Knoxville, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Tennessee. A dedicated photographer since childhood, she has two decades of photography experience in spite of her very young age. Caitlin awed us with her outstanding camera collection, each one which she uses to capture a different essence in the subjects she portrays. Caitlin enjoys photographing reflections, light and darkness contrasts, and creates dynamic compositions through double exposing techniques.
"My process begins with a simple conversation – a study into our nature. Originating in the root of human emotions, I explore a fascination with the intricacies of the mind and how it can express itself through the body. My work evokes and questions the viewer about the internal versus the external. My photography aids to uncover ideas and knowledge or culture, providing a lens to understand and share."
When discussing what she got out of spending a week or so at Azule, Caitlin said "the location of this house is very beneficial to the light process. Due to all the windows, there is so much light in here. It is really beautiful, and really easy to capture due to being on a mountain". During her time here she also explored photographic collaborations with Amanda Kendrick. Readers can find out more about Caitlin here. |
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Meet Cristina Raquel Hernandez Almanza, our dynamic and far-traveling resident, come to Azule all the way from Panama. A writer, life coach, and consultant, Cristina Raquel came to work on future projects - a new book, and new workshops that help individuals, teams, and organizations reach their full human and creative potential. Her professional interests and credentials run the gamut from Myers-Briggs testing to emotional intelligence to live dance, a movement methodology that allows the mind to rest so that other channels of learning can open up.
"We consider the development of human potential to be a basic tool and indispensable towards the pursuit of more educated, integrated, and autonomous organizations and societies. We offer solutions with programs that maximize participants' capacities using interactive and experiential methodologies." Cristina brings a calming, serene energy to everything she undertakes, and her work can be seen here, Talleres y Conversaciones, and here.
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Cristina Hernandez at Madison County Group Home - An upcoming newsletter issue will document Azule's ongoing volunteer relationship with the Madison County facility for special needs adults. Cristina visited in early October, and her program, which focused on storytelling and included 15 minutes of live dancing, was a hit. All the residents loved the opportunity to enjoy music and movement. Cristina and board member Barbara Moloney had a great time as well.
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On the Grind with mOody bLaCk
A time-honored tradition since 2012, the semi-monthly skillshare retreat weekends allow artists and community activists to practice exchanging skills in the loose format of open workshops. From role-playing to the study of aesthetics and African dancing, the special quality of this activity is to build a sense of reciprocity, urgency, purpose - individual and collective. AZULE has made it a regular activity and an offering to the local community. Register for the next one if you can.
September's skillshare event brought a poetry workshop, a jamming hip hop session, and opportunities to learn and connect in community.
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Pierce Edens in the house!
Local singer/songwriter Pierce Edens and Kevin Reese are playing at our Live Auction event! Those of you fortunate enough to encounter Pierce at any of the numerous festivals and stages in the Asheville area and beyond know what a privilege this is. To have an insanely busy musician of this calibre agree to play for our benefit event - just the night before he will be performing at The Grey Eagle - is just huge.
According to Planefolk, Edens creates "some of the most original and powerful music coming out of the mountains." No Depression writer Bill Kopp says “[He] could just as easily- and accurately- be tagged with the singer/songwriter label; He’s a gritty troubadour who takes what he needs from each style, blending and bending it to suit the needs of his songs.”
Besides touring, composing, and wowing audiences locally and beyond, Edens was Recipient of North Carolina Artist Grant for his 2009 Album Long Days Above Ground.
Some recent accolades include reaching +1,000,000 plays on Spotify of their song “Montana.” As well, his song "Mighty Mighty" made the latest MDORadio Southeast Top Ten Chart. He also recently successfully Kickstarter-funded and recorded his fifth fully independent album (Stripped Down Gussied Up) and recently returned from a very successful four-week tour up the East coast and West to the Rockies. They're also making waves across the pond with their new song, Sirens, was premiered across the pond on Folk Radio UK.
Readers can find out more about this talented troubador here.
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 In case you hadn't heard yet (haha), we are planning a benefit event, because our artists community is growing and we are growing to meet their needs. We are raising money to complete a new building.
We are going to be having an Open House and Auction at Azule with emcee Chad Wilderness and live music by Pierce Edens. Besides great food, drinks, and live music, there will be many fun activities for young and old. Post-auction we will offer some of the items for bidding online.
Here is how you can be a part of this wonderful event:
- Come to the potluck on Nov 5th and bid. Or visit our online auction portal (TBD) if you cannot make it out to Bluff on the 5th. Bidding occurs from 2 to 5pm.
- Give a financial contribution. Every dollar will help transform the above model into reality. A 'donate now' button at the end of the newsletter connects to our Paypal donation portal (also found here)
- Participate! Both online by participating in the habitual social media offerings (via facebook, youtube, instagram, and twitter).
- Spread the word about Azule. We are always open to giving tours and are always accepting residents. As well, we would love a critical mass to partake of the silent auction and any other Azule events.
We are so grateful for your continuing support of this miraculous community art space in the midst of Madison County! Therefore we can't wait to see you November the 5th so that you can be a part of this exciting expansion.
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Artist Opportunities!
From the North Carolina Arts Council, here are a few samples from the following link which provides many interesting and potentially profitable opportunities for artists:
CRAFT
Carteret Health Care Foundation, Morehead City
Seeking wood working submissions for the “Celebration of Live Oak 2018.” Entry fee and cash awards.
Deadline: November 30
For more information: jabooth@carterethealth.org
FILM
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
Seeking films for their film touring program. Stipend.
Deadline: November 20
For more information: http://www.midatlanticarts.org/grants-programs/grants-for-artists/#on-screen-in-person
LITERARY ARTS
Black Lawrence Press
The Black River Chapbook Competition is a semi-annual prize for a chapbook of short fiction or poems. Entry fee, cash awards, and publication.
Deadline: October 31
For more information: https://blacklawrencepress.submittable.com/submit
The Writers Workshop of Asheville
Seeking submissions for the 27th Annual Memoirs Contest. Entry fee and awards.
Deadline: November 30
For more information: http://www.twwoa.org/
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
The Masterpiece Project, Raleigh
Artist Julia Caston is looking for participants who would be willing to do a video interview about their hypothetical masterpieces.
Deadline: October 31
For more information: http://juliacastonart.com/Hypothetical-Masterpiece
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TO ALL DONORS:
Thank you so much for helping AZULE board members and volunteers to move AZULE on its necessary journey.
Come, visit and participate. Invite your friends! THANK YOU:
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Maxine Dalton
Sherry Wilson.
Gwylene Gallimard.
Linda Scott.
Arlette Vacarino.
John Malpede.
Olivier Rollin.
Karen Handsen
Frederike Gravenstein
Lisa Mount
Katharine G Hastie.
T Bright Williamson.
Gary Allen Davis.
Geraldine Barraco.
Harold Finley
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Barbara Quigley.
Gary And Vivian Roy.
Sue Schroeder
Randy Bell
Elmer Hall
Christopher Jayne
Kevin.Duckett
Rebecca Gahagan
Bluff Mountain Nursery
Ashley Minner.
Lady Spirit Moon Cerelli.
Natalie Hesed
Christopher Jayne
Kate and Fairman Jayne
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You are all invited!
AZULE may bring you the opportunity to meet great artists, attend a SkillsShare or learn about a traditional Appalachian Skill, experience a rejuvenating space for residencies, retreats, staff or wellness meetings. Come and visit, give us a call.
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Supporting AZULE can happen in many ways! CHECK OUT OUR WISH LIST:
Tiles of any sort
Folding Chairs
Electric Heaters
Filing Cabinet
Stools
Clips on Lamps
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Folding Tables
Easels
Tools
Musical Instruments
Futons
Mattresses
CASH DONATIONS or
IN-KIND VOLUNTEER WORK
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For a visit of AZULE: call Camille at 828-622-3533
For information on AZULE's programs, to make a proposal, to apply for a residency or retreat, to book AZULE or to register for any of our offerings, visit AZULE website www.AZULE.org and e-mail us at AZULEart@gmail.com
(image courtesy of Britney Penouilh, past Azule resident) |
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190 Rabbit Den Rd
Hot Springs, NC 28743
AZULEart@gmail.com
FOR A VISIT, call CAMILLE 828-622-3533
FOR INFORMATION, on any of our programs call
GWYLENE 843-607-5811
For New Danger RSC Skill Share, call OMARI 803-378-2616
See you on FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Azule-A-Place-for-the-Arts-Community-Hot-Springs-NC/347266938699655
See AZULE IMAGINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8VIStnESkU
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"The transformation that occurred within our group could not have manifested as graciously had we not been in the beautiful and deeply accommodating environment of AZULE. This place has nourished me and allowed for a sweet opening of my mind and heart. Thank you." Liana Johannaber from GO, Green Opportunities, Asheville, NC.
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