I can't believe it is December already and 2021 is almost over! Where does the time go? I hope this update finds you well and safe. Many thanks to those of you who took the time to respond to my request for your thoughts regarding the information in the February Update. Your feedback is helpful and is an inspiration for me.
A lot has happened during this second year of the COVID pandemic. I'll begin this 'update' with a synopsis of what has happened along with the changes in and about Ninth Wave Studio. Following the synopsis I have shared more detailed information for those of you who want to learn more.
Linda
S Y N O P S I S
Ninth Wave Studio Exhibitions and Gallery Use
There were two 'virtual only' exhibitions, both running from May 7 through September 3 of 2021: 'Paintings and Prints of Donald W. VanAuken' and SWMP Suites & New Work'.
Opening during the October Art in the physical gallery rooms (and online) was 'impressions from the west of ireland: AN EXHIBITION' .
Currently showing in the physical gallery rooms of NWS (and online) is the Ninth Wave Studio's 7th Annual Group exhibition.
Both physical and virtual exhibitions are planned to take place in 2022.
First Artist in Residence: Doet Boersma
Dutch artist, Doet Boersma will be Ninth Wave Studio's first Artist in Residence.Boersma’s residency will focus on her ‘Fertile Soil’ series that deal with awareness of the processes in nature with living soil. She will arrive on April 16th for her month long residency.
Mary Louise Haynes House Studio Rentals
Ninth Wave Studio now shares the Mary Louise Haynes House with three other Artist Studios. Dave Middleton, Jeanne Fields and Randy Walker are now renting studio spaces on the first floor of the Haynes House. Middleton and Fields moved in during the summer months and Walker moved in during October.
The Photosynethesis Project
The artists and writers involved in The Photosynthesis Project continue to work on their research, experimentation and creative processes in preparation for their scheduled exhibition in September 2023 at the Richmond Center for Visual Arts.
Ireland Immersion Trip 2021
The Ireland Immersion Trip did happen. Eight people (which included me) made the journey to Ireland. We had wonderful experiences, got to know each other and saw amazingly beautiful landscapes.
• • • end of synopsis • • •
The Ninth Wave Studio Galleries . . .
I'm please to report that our virtual gallery continued to be active throughout the Spring and Summer of 2021. We were able to launch and maintain two exhibitions:
PAINTINGS AND PRINTS OF DONALD W. VANAUKEN May 7 through September 3, 2021
SWMP SUITES & NEW WORK May 7 through September 3, 2021
In October of this year, Ninth Wave Studio opened it's doors to our first physical exhibition since the onset of the COVID pandemic. The opening reception for 'impressions from the west of ireland: AN EXHIBITION' took place on Friday October 1st. Attendance was promising at over 60 guests.
The artwork in this exhibition consisted of the sketchbook work, studies, plein air renderings and finished work of the artists inspired by their travels in Western Ireland during the summer of 2019.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Melody Allen, Susan Badger, Tamara Hirzel,
Maryellen Hanes, Helen Kleczynski, Honore Lee,
Dave Middleton, Linda Rzoska, and Randy Walker.
On Friday, December 3rd Ninth Wave Studio hosted the opening reception for our 7th Annual Group exhibition during the ACGK December Art Hop. The artists in this invitational show were asked to display their very best work.
ARTISTS
Melody Allen, Mindi K. Bagnall, Gary Cialdella, Michael Dunn, Mary Hatch, Maryellen Hains, Anna Z ILL, Honore Lee, Dave Middleton, Linda Rzoska, Vicki VanAmeyden , Donald W. VamAuken, and Randy Walker
Spring 2022 Artist In Residence . . .
Dutch artist, Doet Boersma will be Ninth Wave Studio's first Artist in Residence.
Doet Boersma is a Dutch visual artist and educator living and working in The Netherlands. Her current work explores themes of ecology, environmental justice and the natural landscape.
Boersma’s residency will focus on her ‘Fertile Soil’ series that deal with awareness of the processes in nature with living soil. Her residency is from April 16th through May 17th.
She will be presenting her artwork and process during a Kalamazoo Institute of Arts ARTbreak session on June 7, 2022.
Boersma is the founder of Kunstacademie Friesland where she holds the positions of Director and Lead Professor. She attended Ubbo Emmius and Minerva Groningen Art Academy which is now part of the Hanze Univeristy of Applied Science Groningen.
Mary Louise Haynes House Studio Rentals . . .
Ninth Wave Studio now shares the Mary Louise Haynes House with three other Artist Studios. Dave Middleton, Jeanne Fields and Randy Walker are now renting studio spaces on the first floor of the Haynes House.
Middleton and Fields share a studio on the northeast corner of the first floor. Walker's studio is on the central room on the east side - also know as the fireplace room.
Fields and Middleton moved in during the summer months and Walker moved in during October.
Dave Middleton in his studio visited by Susan Badger.
Randy Walker in his studio.
The Photosynthesis Project . . .
As reported in the synopsis above the artists and writers of The Photosynthesis Project are continuing their research, experimentation and creative processes to prepare for their scheduled exhibition in September 2023 at the Richmond Center for Visual Arts (RCVA) .
Covid-19 had kept the Photosynthesis participants from their physical monthly meetings. They continued to meet via zoom and in August we met once again at Ninth Wave Studio.
During the social distancing time span about 13 participants met online for a sub-project we named “VOICES”. This project combined the development of both artwork and ekphrastic poetry under the guidance of Elizabeth Kerlikowske. It is planned that the physical results of this project will be part of our RCVA exhibition.
BOOK DISCUSSION:
DAVID ABRAM'S 'THE SPELL OF THE SENSUOUS'
Anna Z ILL is currently leading a group discussion of David Abram's book 'The Spell of the Sensuous', which is serving as a research text.
This book explores how the human mind came to renounce its sensuous bearings, isolating itself from the other animals and the animate Earth and why humans feel free to exploit other animals and the Earth itself.
The Ireland Immersion Trip 2021
This year's participants were Helen Kleczynski, Vicki VamAmeyden, Brian Rowden, Barb Sine, Max Sine, Joanie Weaver, Vivian Abramowitz and Linda Rzoska. We had a lovely time.
Anna Z Ill
Beth McCann
Beth Purdy
Dave Middleton
Vicki VanAmeyden
Randy Walker
Ninth Wave Studio
Mary Louise Haynes House
213 West Walnut Street
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
The mission of Ninth Wave Studio is to promote, support and nurture the ingenuity and individual growth of the artists of Southwest Michigan by providing collaborative opportunities for exhibitions, creative events, experimentation, practice and dialog.
