So Long, Joe

Joe - a long time member of our Art Club died at the age of 72 last May which is the end of our yearly season so even though we visited the family, attended the funeral...it didn't hit as hard as the first meeting of the year.  Hard to process that empty spot across the classroom from me and I know the Craft Fair won't feel right without him standing by a table of his paintings at the end of the Activity Room in his 'Bavarian Suit' (it's like an business suit but with subtle embellishments that are definitely Alpen)  He painted one size and one size only!  Had to fit a 16" X 20" frame from Opus.  We would tease him about his frugality but we knew we could always count on his direct and honest approach to life along with his quiet humour.
He didn't take up painting till he retired but became one of the most active members of our group. 
This Kitimite got his 3 score and 10 - but he still leaves a significant hole.

Spoken word evening in Km@

Two months ago I finally attended my first evar! Spoken Word/Slam event in Calgary.  I'd only experienced Spoken Word/Slam poetry on cbc radio so  it was an inspiration to witness the process in person.  Sherri D Wilson was a wonderful host and I (and TwinB) enjoyed the performers and whole environment.  (But - My goodness...from the amount of smokes we bummed out could we ever tell we were in the presence of young, starving artists!)  I couldn't help but notice that I have heard comparable material and presenters in our lil' old  corner of the world so resolved to put together a similar event at the earliest and most opportune time here, so, seeing that 'Culture Days' were upon us this weekend - Sept. 24 to 26 - I  arranged to hold an Open Mic/Spoken Word evening.
Here's what we got:...old fellas Storytelling, and young gals angsting - in very subtle and subversive ways - and older broads reading a variety of poignant material.  We also were treated to a work in progress for young readers and a synopsis of a story I'd heard a couple of years back by a younger male writer.  The crowd loved his punch line/spoiler and I hope that this composition will eventually see it's full development into a completed story.
The fella featured in this photo-  (A well known local thespian - the reader should be wary of these creatures) was asked by my co-conspirator to read something - anything but Robert Service -  and even though he had to help his son retrieve a boat from the bottom of Minette Bay, arrived to sing his own little dittty based on 'If I Were A Rich Man' describing what he'd do 'If He Won The Lotto'.  It was very humourously delivered.
It was a great evening and everyone is looking forward to another.

Good Afternoon Mrs. Hutson...

telemarketer: "How are you today, Mrs. Hutson?"
Me:  "People keep pestering me with phone calls"
telemarketer:  "Well then...fuck off"

I do a half laugh and hang up. 
Wow.  I've just been totally burned by a telemarketer.  And I wasn't even crude, rude or offensive.  To my mind anyway.  The only reason I'd answered is because I'd been getting non-stop calls from them ALL DAY.
The entire conversation consisted of those very three sentences.
Apparently I'm The Straw.
Is this my hidden secret power - to push people over the edge with seemingly innocuous conversation?
It's happened before:  I occasionally toss off a comment or sentence that elicits a reaction so far beyond what one would expect that I'm beginning to finally understand (at my late stage in life) there is something innately provacative in how I communicate sometimes.* 
I really work towords that in visual art.  It's a challenge, really.  Not easy either since I like to convey my ideas in visually appealling ways.  I think there's a subversive and compelling strength in that.
Getting countless calls, then that response initially made me feel just a little bit violated - but now...now?!...I'm feeling empowered!!

Oh yeah, Baby - You talkin' to............The Straw!!

*The Husband would attest to that!

Rio Tinto Proudly Supports The Arts

The monthly issue of The Ingot - Rio Tinto/Alcan's company propaganda magazine arrived yesterday and what jumps off the front cover at me??  Supporting The Arts in BC page 9

So immediately I flip to page 9,quickly read through the article and subsequently had a rather undignified reaction because I was a tad pissed off...nay...outraged!  However I did realize that any response to this would have to be measured and reasoned if and when I or any other Children's Arts Supporter in Kitimat decides to make a peep about all this.

So what's my major malfunction??

The article gushed on about Rio Tinto's major contributions to the Olympics (GVRD) and Arts Umbrella* (GVRD).  A sub heading  reads Arts are essential to the social fabric of a sustainable community and it is this recognition that guides Rio Tinto Alcan's support for a variety of cultural projects.

Another part of the article quotes Richard Prokopanko, RTA exec and vice-chair of Arts Umbrella as saying "Arts Umbrella builds the confidence, self esteem and cultural skills of over 17,000 children per

year"

Well it's really too bad that none of those kids are in Kitimat, home to a good 900 of approximately 1200 RioTintoAlcan employees.  Another 200 - 300 live in Terrace.

I guess we don't qualify as a 'sustainable community.' 

Maybe our own shoe-string budget, home grown, Arts Umbrella type program Museum In The Classroom isn't...what?....big enough?...sexy enough?  Alcan did used to contribute 8 to 12% of our yearly budget (and yes, they always wanted 100% of the credit) though they haven't donated anything since being bought out by Rio Tinto.  Kitimat Arts For Youth did benefit from several thousand dollars for 2 or 3 years but then suddenly disappeared from the RTA radar. 

I know that RioTintoAlcan can give their money to any group they choose - I just don't want everybody thinking that here in Kitimat we're just wallowing in their largesse. 

I also can't help but feel just a little bit slapped in the face by this whole business.

*I don't have the best history with Arts Umbrella either

http://eileenhutson.blogspot.com/2007/05/little-helper-monkey.html

Hangin' @ the SK8 Park

Assorted images from our ongoing Nechako mural.  The first is by a grade 11 girl and very confident artiste.  The sugar skull was painted by featured art grad Jordan and the frog in-progress is my contribution to make the bubbles make sense.  The mural will probably continue next year and depending on how many people want to add their work, just might have to wraparound to the north side of the building.  Every little bit is an improvement.

Sea: Sick

Detail of Sea: Sick

20 years from concept to completion.  Took so long pondering this that I missed out on the original issue that launched this fella.  The original issue was clear cut logging...though given how many truckloads of absolutely raw logs are flying down the highway and off to China it may be re-ignited

It turns out we never had to spill a single drop of oil to spoil the oceans.

Ever since the Industrial Revolution they have quietly been absorbing carbon from the atmosphere as we burn coal and oil.  When you change chemistry, you change biology.  Of course this isn't the only assault on the ocean:
run-off from fertilizers create dead zones thousands of kilometres in area, lost nets - the infamous Ghost Nets indescriminately trap and kill every species they encounter, bottom trawling destroys habitat while discarded plastic collects where currents gather them into giant floating islands; one is reported to be larger than Texas.
No one can project what the outcome might be but already we've seen troubling effects such as the proliferation of jellyfish and the bleaching of coral reefs due to climate change
...right...climate change, let's add that to our litany of carnage.
Who could have imagined that a land mammal would have such far reaching effects on this massive aquatic environment?

Time Flies

...when Rio Tinto/Alcan cranks the juice.  Came home from a 3 week trip to find that all the clocks powered by electricity had gained about 22 minutes.  It's an odd local phenomenon that is usually discovered following a rash of unexplained punctuality throughout town.  The smelter sometimes pushes out more power than appliances are designed for and before we know it, the days go by just a little faster.