Let's take a moment. The world is upside down.
Hi friends,
I hope that you well and that you are safe.
I don't know if I will ever have the distance and perspective to express what, if any, meaning that this pandemic has brought to my life, but I do hope that we all get the privilege of having the long view. I'm lucky to be in a part of Canada that has successfully flattened the curve, but my heart breaks for the rest of the world. If you've been struggling over the last few weeks, I am thinking of you.
In the first few months of the virus, my inbox and social media channels were overrun with essays on the pandemic, advice on how to stay safe, bread-making zoom lessons, virtual cocktail hours...and yet another mask sewing tutorial. While some may have found it a needed distraction, I needed to just turn off the pipeline of information, hence my radio silence over the last months.
Being the true introvert that I am, I'm lucky to be working at home for my 9-5 job, and my nights pass quickly as I'm working my next book. The publishing date is fall 2021, and while I don't know what sort of appetite the world will have for a book on community-building and creativity by next year, I'm committed working on the project now, just as I would have done before. I sit down and work on it word by word, day by day.
In the weeks ahead, I hope that you get the opportunity to take care of yourself and that you find yourself turning to your own creative projects, however big or small, that keep you going.
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Submit to these cool projects
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Worldwide: Dear Textiles
A tiny little love letter to stitches and those who stitch
My friend and collaborator Betsy Greer has launched a new project called Dear Textiles, and she has an open call for collaborators!
Betsy says, "I would love to hear how textiles have influenced you, and made your lives better. I want to hear all the stories that I don’t read about in books. Your stories, your family stories, about what you’re making now, letter expressing all sorts of feelings about textiles and why you love them. Or admire them."
Learn how to contribute to this project here.
Vancouver, Canada: The MOV wants your Pandemic Diaries
Our newly adopted social distancing lifestyles look and feel very different than the lives we were leading just one month ago. We acknowledge every (indoor) life has a story to tell, and MOV wants to hear yours. In an effort to learn how you are adapting to the limitations and opportunities of quarantine existence the museum would like to see, read and hear your stories, testimonies, performances, art and confessions of your new reality. Share with us your videos, writings and performances on Instagram and Twitter by including the hashtag #IsolatingTogetherMOV or join our Facebook Group and post your stories on there.
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UK: Museum of You –
Be Connected
We believe that in these extraordinary times, the stories of ordinary people are more important than ever. Which is why we are inviting you to help us co-create an exhibition.
Everyone has an interesting story to tell and submissions are open to everyone, of all ages, whether you are an established artist or getting creative for the first time. We welcome submissions from individuals as well as community groups, from new creatives and the continuously curious, to domestic Picassos and everyone in between.
Building connections with other people has been scientifically proven to increase feelings of happiness and self-worth. Our connections help build a sense of belonging, they influence how we feel and how we behave. Now more than ever we are coming up with new ways of communicating and connecting with each other.
What makes it easier for you to feel connected to people? Have your connections to the people around you changed?
We welcome any creative response to the theme and invite you to be as imaginative as possible, using any medium - paintings, drawings, photographs, textiles, prints, mixed media and written responses are all welcome.
You can submit your stories and artworks by emailing them directly to Jemma.channing@canterbury.gov.uk
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Have an opportunity that you want to share with other creative co-conspirators? Send me 150-200 words and an image at info@leanneprain.com
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Have you heard of the Wara Art Festival in Japan? I stumbled across some incredible images a few days ago and now I can't get enough of these fantastical animals made of straw!
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The Lonely City: Adventures in Being Alone by Olivia Lang
I bought this remarkable book a few years ago, and never found the time to read it. Fortunately, the pandemic makes the perfect background for this memoir about what it means to be alone.
Following the life of the author, alone in NYC, experiencing art by Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, Henry Darger, and David Wojnarowicz, this book is perfect for those who love both art history and literature.
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Feminist Stitches by Haley Pierson Cox
When you work on a project for over a year and your release date falls in the middle of a pandemic, I guess that you have to laugh and cry and keep on keeping on.
My friend Haley just released this fabulous kit of 12 feminist projects that will help you stitch the hours at home away. And, when you are stitching, give her podcast Very Serious Crafts a listen!
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How to Cook a Wolf by M.J.K. Fisher
I first learned about M.J.K Fisher from the beloved 1990's DIY Magazine Readymade.
Written in 1942, this book is her answer to cooking well under wartime measures, and so much of it is relevant to today. Chapters tackle topics such as 'How to Boil Water', 'How to Be Cheerful through Starving', and 'How to Drink to the Wolf'
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Recommended Listens
Routines & Ruts is new to me, and tonight I stumbled across their special podcast on how 60+ creative people are getting through their days during self-isolation. I'd recommend listening to this episode: There Is No One Way.
I'm also going to take advantage of this list of binge-worthy art podcasts.
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2020 Challenge: Help Another Artist Out
Inspired by this, I've become quite enamoured with the idea of private artist residencies.
Do you have a yard, a balcony or a shed that you could lend an artist? Why not offer up a space for someone who is housebound and give them a desk, a chair (or a hammock), and some shelter and some supplies (snacks are great too!)
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Yarn Bombing: The 10th Anniversary Edition
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Crafted Reading Series: Postponed
Last month I mentioned that Kim Werker and I would be hosting the Crafted Reading Salon with the Crafted Vancouver festival. Due to the cancellation of all live events in Vancouver, the series will not be going ahead as planned. We will hopefully resurrect the series when Crafted Vancouver and in-person events can continue. In the meantime, we encourage local Vancouverites to purchase books from our gracious hosts Iron Dog Books. |
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Thanks for joining me for this edition of the Creative Co-conspirator newsletter!
I aim to send out a new edition every couple of weeks. If you enjoyed it, please forward it to a friend, and encourage them to subscribe!
Have feedback? Don't hesitate to reply and let me know what you think.
Stay safe out there!
:: :: :: xx Leanne
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