American Artist Begins Exchange…

Sarah, at Posthouse Studio, sculpting wood. Photo by Antonius Roberts

When U.S. Ambassador Her Excellency Nicole Avant led the press conference about the exhibition “Master Artists of The Bahamas” which opened at The Waterloo Center for the Arts in Iowa earlier this month, she expressed hope that this move would foster rich artistic cultural exchanges for the future.

The effect of that exhibition to create opportunities for exchange is already underway, for one Bahamian artist’s work impacted a young American artist so deeply that she’s made the trip to The Bahamas to spend this next month working by his side on a few major projects.

Sarah Deppe, a recent graduate of the University of North Iowa (UNI) in Studio Art in Sculpture, will be assisting Antonius Roberts on his new project for Baha Mar. In this project, he will train 12 aspiring craftsmen by creating beautiful benches out of discarded wood from the Baha Mar site, which will be used on West Bay Street and a future hiking trail.

“I like my artwork to have a strong environmental content, and I do this through using reclaimed materials and also for the overall theme of it to relate to the environment,” says Deppe, whose large form sculptures incorporate indigenous wood.

Sarah sculpting stone at Popopstudios

“I was interested in Antonius’ work and his use of reusing reclaimed materials and his connection to the environment because I do a lot of that in my work, and I wanted to come down here and see what he was doing,” she continues.

The pieces that so moved Deppe were three sculptures Roberts created during his week-long residency hosted by the Waterloo Center for the Arts that coincided with the “Masters of The Bahamas” exhibition opening and symposium.

During this residency, he worked with students in a “Sculpture I” class from the University of North Iowa on public art pieces crafted out of local material–salvaged wood and stone from Sans Souci Island in the center of Cedar River in Waterloo, Iowa, which was ravaged by a flood in 2008.

It was arranged by the WCA Curator Kent Shankle, who hailed from the island that is now slowly rebuilding from destruction.

“The state itself is serious about funding public art and using art in public spaces to unify the communities,” explains Roberts. “I never thought that I would be so inspired by going to a place like Iowa. But talk about diversification and tolerance and integration–I was moved.”

While he guided students on how to approach the material, Roberts himself created three poignant and inspiring sculptures out of the indigenous oak and cotton tree wood, adding in stainless steel to incorporate a bit of hardware and even a stone from the river itself.

The resulting pieces — “Mother Nature’s Wings” in which the wood is carved to reveal a pair of awe- inspiring angel wings; “Colors of Sans Souci Island” in which a large river stone sits at the base of a hollow in a tall narrow piece of wood, evoking a powerful totem; and “Embrace” in which two pieces of wood which had been split apart from the disaster were brought back together again–tapped into powerful emotions about the event shared by the community.

“The wood was so beautiful and basically I just celebrated the natural shapes and forms that revealed themselves through the process,” says Roberts.

“‘Embrace’ has this feeling like that missing piece is being received back again and that piece is significant to me because what it represents to me is the fact that through all the negative impact of the flood, the human spirit rose above the water and it was through the human spirit that people reached out and helped each other,” he continues. “So that piece symbolized that whole spirit of community.”

He donated the three pieces to the WCA at the end of the week and returned home to The Bahamas–but Iowa was not finished with him yet.

Soon thereafter, Deppe — who had been away during the opening of “Master Artists of The Bahamas” and Roberts’ residency — returned and upon seeing the three moving pieces which reminded her of her own work, contacted Roberts to ask if she could spend some time with him in The Bahamas.

Funnily enough, she had been mentioned to Roberts already by a professor at UNI.

“He approached me after viewing my work and said he had a student who I should meet,” remembers Roberts. “I didn’t think anything of it but during the farewell reception, he came up to me and gave me this packet of her work and said he wanted me to look at it. When I saw her work I thought, you know what, she’s serious.”

Indeed, though she only touched down in Nassau on Sunday, Deppe has already completed sketches for some benches she hopes to work on with Roberts on the Baha Mar project and even some sketches on a larger sculpture they will be collaborating on for Roberts’ new studio space downtown.

“She will bring her own twist to it,” says Roberts.

“I’d love to show that connection because the whole interest in recycling and respect for nature is a universal one, is a global dialogue, and to have her here actually means that we are engaged in this conversation globally.”

Meanwhile she may work on other independent projects as she’s staying with a community of artists at Popopstudios International Center for the Visual Arts–and hopefully may lead a discussion of her work at the end of the month-long stay.

“The people at Popop are great and very welcoming,” she says.

“There’s a very nice community there and all around in the arts. There’s a lot I think I can learn from them.”

“I want to learn from Antonius and everyone here, how he makes his artwork and the materials he uses. I want to also have more experience with materials that are related to nature.”

Meanwhile, Roberts himself is excited about what the month holds, looking forward to continuing a significant cultural exchange started in a place as unexpected as Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.A.

“I love to share and I open up to people that I am interested in mentoring. And this young lady from far off decided to want to come and take advantage of it and learn more,” he says. “So for me that’s rewarding and hopefully this will inspire others to step up and show that they are serious.”

Sonia Farmer The Nassau Guardian Arts & Culture Published: November 5, 2011

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We’re All Innocent When We Dream Recent work by Heino Schmid

Exhibition opens Friday, November 11, 2011 at 6:00pm At the Cube West Gallery

Heino Schmid’s subjects float to the surface of a charcoal haze in “We’re All Innocent When We Dream”, the effect much like drawing viewers into their collective dreamscape where anything is possible and nothing is off limits — until awakened.

In the news: What Dreams May Come

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Anthea Bullard and John Cox in the November issue of Stylezine

John Cox is featured on the cover of the November Stylezine magazine along with fashion designer Anthea Bullard. Art direction was done by illustrator Jace McKinney, who recently held a studio at Popopstudios.

Anthea Bullard and John Cox, November Stylezine

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Antonius Roberts and Popopstudios are hosting Sarah Deppe, a sculpture student at the University of Northern Iowa. Sarah is participating in an international exchange programme which came about as a result of a week-long residency recently completed by Antonius Roberts at the University.

During his residency, which was motivated by the Master Artists of the Bahamas Exhibition, Roberts worked with art students to create sculptures using wood and river stones salvaged from the 2008 flood in Sans Souci and Chatauqua park neighborhoods, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Antonius Roberts and Sarah Deppe

“Art is a universal language”, stated Roberts, “and it is an excellent way to develop and promote links around the world. I am sure that this exhibition will be the start of many more exciting collaborations.”

Through her art, Sarah says she seeks to “inspire the viewer’s interest in the earth, change their view of the environment and inform them of critical problems humans are causing to the environment, in a way that doesn’t waste the world’s resources but rather borrows or reuses them.”

On display at the Port of Dubuque until June 2012. Cottonwood bark, rebar, wire mesh, and zip ties. 8' x 11' 5"‘x 13' 5". 900 lbs. $5,000

She says her aim is to “give the Earth a voice.”

One of her sculptures, “Exhaling Dissolution” is currently on display as part of the Art on the River installation of sculptural work along the Riverwalk at the Port of Dubuque. Sarah created the sculpture out of bark  collected from the ground without harming any living trees. In her artist’s statement she says, “This sculpture uses resources productively without endangering the environment on which we depend.”

About Sarah: Sarah Deppe was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1988 and raised in the much smaller town of Maquoketa, Iowa. Sarah has always had a strong passion for the arts. She has been drawing and painting nearly since birth and eventually became very interested in sculpture. She is currently getting her BFA in sculpture from the University of Northern Iowa. While at UNI, Sarah earned a One-Year Department of Art Scholarship from 2007-2008 and earned a place on the Dean’s List in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts from 2006 – 2010. Since 2007, she has exhibited the Annual Department of Art Juried Student Exhibition at the UNI Gallery.

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Artist Dylan Rapillard taking a creative break from painting at his studio at Popop.

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The group of artists with the WCA’s curator and Director and the filmmakers

Bahamian Art is flourishing and it has made a huge impact in the international arena when a group of Bahamian visual artists opened the MASTER ARTISTS OF THE BAHAMAS Exhibition and Symposium in the United States at the Waterloo Center for the Arts (WCA) in Waterloo, Iowa.

The journey for the Exhibition began in 2008 when the WCA’s Director, Cammie Scully was suitably inspired by the documentary “Artists of The Bahamas’ produced by Filmmakers Karen and Tom Neuwirth (www.artistsofthebahamas.com). WCA, which houses the largest collection of Haitian art in the U.S., also had a large collection of art by the late Bahamian artist, Amos Ferguson.

The panel of artists prepare to speak at the symposium surrounded by Amos Ferguson paintings

The present Exhibition therefore boasts over 100 pieces of Bahamian art including 68 pieces by Ferguson and the late Brent Malone and Jackson Burnside together with the works of Antonius Roberts, Dave Smith, Eddie Minnis, John Beadle, John Cox, Kendal Hanna, Max Taylor and Stan Burnside. The Exhibition will run through January 2012 and then travel to various art venues throughout the U.S.

In addition to the grand Opening attended by Mayor of Waterloo Buck Clark, participants were treated to a two day symposium by the artists as well as musical performances by Eddie Minnis and junkanoo drumming by Reuben ‘Ruppapumpum’ Deleveaux, in addition to viewing the premiere of “Match Me If You Can”, the Amos Ferguson documentary that was produced by the filmmakers.

The Bahamian artists with WCA’s curator and Director at the Exhibition’s entrance

Bahamian art and culture was on display for the entire weekend. Cammie Scully, Director of the WCA, was overjoyed with the response of the participants, some of whom travelled from other states to attend and meet the artists.

“This has been a memorable event that has added lots of colour, movement and excitement to us here in Iowa. The two landscapes are so very different and everyone is now eager to visit The Bahamas!” Youth participating in a Junkanoo workshop presented by WCA education staff also took part in the festivities on Saturday. NAGB’s curatorial assistant/videographer, Jackson Petit accompanied the artists to document the entire trip and the video will be available for viewing shortly.

Well known Bahamian sculptor, Antonius Roberts travelled to Iowa earlier in order to complete a one week residency at the University of Northern Iowa. He worked with art students to create sculptures using wood and river stones salvaged from the 2008 flood in Sans Souci and Chatauqua park neighborhoods, in Waterloo, Iowa. Roberts also produced three sculptures of his own which he donated to the Center.

As a result of this endeavour, plans are underway to host an Iowan sculptor here in Nassau next month to work with Roberts in an exchange programme. “Art is a universal language”, stated Roberts, “and it is an excellent way to develop and promote links around the world. I am sure that this Exhibition will be the start of many more exciting collaborations.”

The Bahamian contingent prepare to return home from Waterloo, Iowa

For further information on the Exhibition please log on to the WCA’s website at www.waterloocenterforthearts.org

Transforming Spaces is now in its eighth year and has become a significant component in the development of visual art in New Providence. Our tours have provided a window into the galleries, studios, artwork and lives of the best visual art organizations and practitioners in the country.

The Transforming Spaces mission has been to promote local artists, reflect current trends in Bahamian art, and expose and educate patrons to the inner workings of the Bahamian art industry while challenging both artists and audiences to create and perceive art in new and innovative ways.

In the spirit of our mission to expose, innovate, challenge and encourage a unique cross fertilization between the creative disciplines, Transforming Spaces 2012 will engage in an exciting new exercise — a curated tour with a single theme. In conjunction with the Creative Nassau Initiative — a local committee of artists, designers, craftspeople and writers working to have Nassau designated a UNESCO City of Craft and Folk art — we present FIBRE.

FIBRE is a call to fine artists, designers of all types, architects, photographers, as well as, other LOCAL artisans to put aside the traditional scope of materials and to engage your creative processes within and without the limitations of fibrous materials from any part of the country’s indigenous plants (e.g. banana, palm trees, sisal, coconut palm). We are also interested in literary, poetic and historical responses.

The goal of FIBRE is to challenge participants to look at the history of local materials and to re-imagine their original purposes, characteristics and contexts.

We are looking for a response to these materials that honor the past, but more importantly, seek to breathe new life into how we see these materials in the modern world. There are no limitations to what form your solutions take. Both utilitarian and non-functional objects are acceptable.

Participants should ‘push the envelope’ with regard to how the materials are manipulated and fabricated. Other support materials may be used to assist in the structural or mechanical aspects of your designs but the majority of the material must be made from fibres. Both individuals as well as teams may submit ideas. Conceptual responses will also be accepted.

If you are interested in participating in this unique event, please read the guidelines. You may also contact the Transforming Spaces Committee at 328-7916 or Ms Luann Morris at the NAGB at 328-5800 or send an email to transformingspaces2012@gmail.com

Consider the Possibilities!

John Cox

The Popopstudios ICVA art community warmly welcomes artist and designer, Margot Bethel, who has taken a studio at Popop for the next several months.

While at Popop she will be preparing for her upcoming exhibitions, one at Albany on November 4 and the other at Cube West Gallery in late November.

About Margot Margot Bethel is an artist and designer with an active interest in the environmental movement. Born in Nassau Margot worked at The Nassau Guardian as a student reporter in her early twenties and shortly thereafter migrated to her mother’s homeland, Canada. In Toronto she worked with a number of artists and designers in furniture and retail design and in the film and television industry. She studied Permaculture at the Ecology Retreat Centre and more recently Architecture at Ryerson University. In 2004 Margot followed her heart back to her birthplace and formed a company, Nomad Design where she intertwines her love of the natural environment with her design experience.

John Cox, who teaches art at the College of the Bahamas, brought his students to Popopstudios to see “Fallen Transitions” – the current exhibition.

Fallen Transitions is a two-person show by June Collie and Richardo Barrett, both College of the Bahamas students themselves. Collie and Barrett were junior resident artists at Popopstudios this past summer and the show was a culmination of their work and experience.

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