Tuesday 11 November 2014

From Barrier to Beauty...


Noyo and Lighthouse High Schools in Ft Bragg are alternatives to the traditional Ft Bragg High School.  The campus is small, with portable modules surrounding a courtyard.  The complex is surrounded by chain link fencing that gives the school a harsh institutional look.  

At the school's request, we were invited in to undertake an experimental mural project.  The focus was to transform the fence and change the look of the school. The idea was an abstract exploration of oceans using a large-scale, open process that all students could be involved in.  We explored the flow of water.  Painting was done with acrylic paints on large sheets of tyvek--a very strong, flexible surface.  The paintings would later by cut up and woven directly into the chain link fence.

 


Together with 40 some students, we spent a bright afternoon working outside to create the mural panels. The process was fun, lively, blustery and satisfying. We used long-handled rollers, and brushes, and bright acrylic paints.  Everyone got involved.  From set up to clean up, the day was fun and the results were great.  A few days later, we cut up the paintings into long strips and woven three panels directly into the chain link fence in front of the school. 



It definitely changed the look of thing. Now rather than a barrier, the fence is transformed with an intriguing splash of color and line.  

The process worked well...the students had fun with the painting process and the weaving was a satisfying joint effort.

We learned some good things and there are a lot of chair link fences out in the world just waiting to be transformed.









A new Creative Community Door opening soon... Noyo PRINTworks!

Flockworks:  building community through creativity. 

You know our community exhibit series at Odd Fellows, and the murals and other creative work we do with children & young people!  In a new Flockworks initiative, we are launching a community creative space centered around printmaking, letterpress and book arts.  This  artist led  venture called Noyo PRINTworks will be located in the heart of Ft Bragg on Laurel street and will  provide opportunities  to  teach,  learn,  share and create in a professional setting with quality equipment and materials.  Is this a flock you want to be part of?  

Here's what Noyo PRINTworks will offer:

* Open Studio nights for letterpress, art printmaking, and book arts.  
* Demonstrations, events, and special activity sessions.  
* Workshops and classes for learning in letterpress, printmaking methods, and book arts.  
* Advanced, self-directed work in letterpress, print, and book arts for program associates.  
* Special workshops and hands-on activities for children and young people.
  
Here is the Leadership Team helping make this happen: 
  • Judy Detrick: artist, designer, calligrapher, retired instructor in graphic design, teacher at San Francisco Center for the Book , 
  • Larry Thomas: artist, printmaker, retired professor and Dean of the SF Art Institute,  
  • Jonathan Palmer: artist, printmaker, Art Faculty of Mendocino College, Ft. Bragg and Ukiah,
  • James Maxwell artist, writer, retired instructor in Art, 
  • Florence (Florie) Ashford: graphic designer, letterpress artist, 
  • Kathy Carl: artist, printmaker, graphic designer, business owner, FLOCKworks Board,  
  • Judy Tarbell: artist, wood worker, former owner of Black Bear Press
  • Zida Borcich: letterpress and graphic designer, business owner, publisher,  
  • Maureen Eppstein: poet/writer, retired Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Writersʼ Conference,
  • Sandy Oppenheimer: artist
  • Janet Self: community artist, Executive Director of Flockworks  
Community Support & Donations:   The space for this community studio, located on Laurel Street in the former Rec Center, is donated by the City of Ft. Bragg. Donated equipment includes: Vandercook letterpress, cabinets of type and related book making equipment, etching press, inks, paper, and essential elements to make a working studio. Tax-deductible donations and other in-kind support are welcome.

 If you want to know more and be part of this flock, let us know. flockworks1@gmail.com  
We are planning to an opening party in early February!