The Day Arrives

I have completely lucked out with having clear weather every day I've been out at the Garden with a scheduled event. The opening last Sunday was no exception. It was a great day to see friends, project helpers and new garden goers as they interacted with the installed pieces. All three pieces are up and will be in the garden for at least the next month. Stop by and see them in the rose garden, bee garden and at the visitor center! A big thanks to the helpers and to Queens Botanical Garden for hosting the project!

Here are a few photos from the day:

Installing

 

I think making her hat was my favorite part of the project!

The bee keeper at the reception table before being installed

Susan Springer Anderson speaking with QBG Executive Director, Susan Lacerte

Opening of Exhibition and Artist Reception

Don't forget to come out to the Queens Botanical Garden this Sunday, October 17 from 3-5pm to see the finished sculptures, rain or shine. Refreshments will be served and we hope to be playing the short documentary about the project " the making" during the reception. Prints of the pieces will be on sale in the shop.

Here are a few shots of finished pieces to entice you to come!

Also, check out the article from Lisa Fraser in the Queens Chronicle about the project!

Last Community Work Day

Last night wrapped up the end of the community participation in the making of the sculptures. I had about twelve people stop at the tables and work with me for awhile. A few women earned the title of worker bees, making at least 6 patches each. Thanks for your help ladies! 


I'll be finishing up this piece and the last sculpture over the next week. Then they will be installed in the garden for about one month. Don't forget, the exhibit opening is on Sunday, October 17 from 3-5 pm at the Garden. Make sure to come by!

Sharing Opportunities to Create

Saturday was a great day to be at the garden. The morning was pretty chilly, so much so that by lunch my fingers were numb! But by the afternoon the sun warmed things up and made for a beautiful day.

 Although the weather was a delight the high points of the day were sharing the opportunity to create with a diverse crowd. In the morning two mom's stopped by and worked on patches for close to an hour. We had a lovely conversation and it turns out that one of the women had studied to be a scenic designer years ago, but went in a different direction career wise, and hasn't had much time since to spend creating and working with her hands. Then in the afternoon a daughter and her elderly mother came to the table to work for a bit. The daughter mentioned that her mom grew up in China and was from a generation that didn't participate in art-making. She said her mom was going to be talking about this opportunity and remembering it for a long time. Plus, today, Sunday is her 89th birthday- congratulations! It's those kinds of moments that make the long hours of preparation 100% worth it.


This Wednesday, October 6 from 3-5pm is my last community workshop. Come on out if you haven't already done so. And, just a reminder, Sunday October 17 from 3-5pm is the opening reception.

The second piece. She'll be sitting on this bench for the installation.

The dress is made from fir branches; another tree that was damaged in the recent storm.

Fox tail (the plant)  is added to the jacket to make it a faux fur coat.

A mom and daughter come by. Today, 10/3/10 is the mom's 89th birthday!

1 Done, 2 to Go

After a few solo hours at the garden I finished the first piece. The theme ended up changing along the way due to the materials available. What was first to be a Han dynasty inspired garment ended up closer to an Emilie Floge, Schwestern Floge, dress. You'll notice I also took the grass off the sleeves. It just wasn't working.

The final materials were willow branches and amaranth.