DANA RICHARDSON & SARAH ZENTZ: ARTIST COLLABORATORS

ProVisions Artist Community

2010-03-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Our most recent collaborative project has been Co-Founding ProVisions Artist Community in Honey Grove, PA. This summer ProVisions is offering two one-week workshops for beginning to advanced level artists seeking to develop skills in sustainable methods of constructing and designing jewelry. The first session, "Merging the boundaries of art and nature," focuses on utilizing found objects and integrating a variety of artistic disciplines—from sculpture to drawing—into bodily adornments. The second session, "Reclaiming Resources," will give students the opportunity to transform unused, unwanted, excess jewelry into new innovative pieces of adornment.
Please download or print our application and send it in by April 16th, 2010!
For any questions, please e-mail Sarah Zentz or Dana Richardson at: provisionsartistcommunity@gmail.com Provisions Application 2010

Serving Artists: An alternative to Food Stamps.

2009-10-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

In July 2009 we had our first experience with asking for support from the government, specifically Food Stamps. Encouraged by a fellow artists living in San Francisco, Ca we first wondered, are we really qualified? As self employed artists, just out of college without a home, we thought we were. We live a very minimal income and consumer lifestyle.

The selling point for swaying us is when we were told a high sum of money that goes towards food stamps is actually recirculated back to the government when it is not fully taken advantage of by the public. Each year, we were told, funds are recirculated because not enough people that are qualified are asking for support. So we got an application in Pennsylvania.

At first, we felt uncomfortable with the process for the following reasons:

1| It requires a proof of a permanent address that you are paying rent to.

Problem: We don't have this. For the past year, we have been traveling.

2| It requires proof of a steady income or salary.

Problem: We are self-employed artists. We have received income through independent commissions, self-promoted art sales, and lectures. To say the least, this income is not stable and we could not prove that for the amount of hours we were working, and the amount of money we earned was more than minimum wage.

3| It requires to agree to "job-readiness."

Problem: Due to us being "capable" workers, with degrees and no physical handicap, we would have to take any job they found for us that we were capable of doing. If we denied the job opportunity, the food stamps would be taken away immediately.

2nd Problem: We do not consider ourselves "unemployed." We are self-employed artists who feel we work well more hours than a typical 9-5 job. This did not matter under their terms of recognition. Said more bluntly, we quickly learned an alternative lifestyles or specifically emerging independent artists were not considered applicable for Food Stamps. No wonder the title "Starving Artist" surfaced.

4| It required signing over permission for the government to have access to monitoring our bank accounts and statements for the next 6 months.

Problem: This seems fishy.

2nd Problem: If we deposited an amount more than what would equal to minimum wage, we would be immediately taken off food stamps even if the next month, we were not expecting any income.

Note: We could get around these small obstacles by ways of altering (stretch the truth) to be applicable for their ridged application.

Problem: This is against our ethics. Having to lie to eat = dirty food.

Bottom line, someone brought up, what are your alternatives?

1| Plant a garden on someone else property (since we don't own our own).

Problem: In most cases, illegal.

2| Steal.

Problem: Also illegal.

3| Dumpster dive.

Problem: Again, illegal.

Do alternative lifestyles, in our circumstances, have to break the law to eat? A major part of our lives involves constant creative problem solving.

Our Solution:

In August 2009, we Co-Founded a project titled "Serving Artists." To learn more about this project and how to start your own food reclamation project, please view:

http://www.servingartists.blogspot.com/

Best,

Dana Richardson & Sarah Zentz

Lancaster Screening: RJM

2009-09-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, a huge thank you goes to Christina Miller & Susie Ganch! Without the two of you, the project would not exist! We feel honored to have had this opportunity to collaborate with you in documenting Radical Jewelry Makeover! The genuine dedication both of you put into RJM is truly infectious! We hope that our time and effort helps launch your dreams of this project!
Secondly, we would like to send out a special thanks to the stars that showed up with sincere enthusiasm towards the project! Your time and willingness to share your experiences with us made this film come alive! Not only has it impacted us hugely, the film will continue to influence others across the world!

Lastly, if you haven't heard, the first screening went fabulously! We couldn't wipe the tears or smiles from our faces!

Stay tuned for future screenings and for when the dates the DVD will be available for purchase!

Premiere Screening!

2009-08-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce the first two screenings of our 12-minute documentary of "Radical Jewelry Makeover."

Please, take the freedom to spread the word and we sincerely hope to see you there!

Progressive Galleries Exhibition

2009-08-09T21:10:00.000-07:00

Take a look at our video installation!
Thank you Progressive Galleries!

X Chromosome Exhibition

2009-08-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Come view our video installation at Progressive Galleries in Lancaster, PA.

When: August 7th (First Friday)
Where: 323 N Queen St (Keppel building)

Click here to view Progressive Galleries newsletter including the description of our work.

Akademie Schloss Solitude

2009-07-31T16:22:00.000-07:00

The Akademie Schloss Solitude fellowship is a residence fellowship.

The next application round will take place between July and October 2010 for a fellowship during the time period 2011-2013.

The fellowship includes the following:

A combined apartment / studio, furnished with electricity, water and heat free of charge.

Conditions:

Duration of residencies
6 to 12 months
Grants
a monthly stipend of 1000 Euro
Allowance granted to artists
- One time travel expenses incurred by the fellowship holder travelling to and from Stuttgart from his/her primary residence.
- A supplement for "double housekeeping" (rent subsidy)
- freight cost subsidy for the transport of materials, tools and instruments to and from Stuttgart
- a project promotion subsidy and one-time materials subsidy
- in the case of guests from non EU-countries, assumption of part of their health insurance expenses.
Applications:
- for international artists up to 35 years old or artists who have completed their university or college degree within the past five years (and are not currently enrolled)

RJM @ MAD

2009-07-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

The first screening of the Radical Jewelry Makeover promotional video that we are producing will be screened at the Museum of Art & Design, NYC on September 12th, 2009.

Stay tuned to when it will be available to view online!

Radical Jewelry Makeover: Penland

2009-05-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

Location: Penland School of Crafts, North Carolina
Date: June 21st-July 3th
Subject: Video and sound documentation of Christina Miller and Susie Ganch, designers of Radical Jewelry Makeover, in their collaborative workshop at Penland School of Crafts 2009(4th RJM to date).

Click here to view specifications of this years RJM Penland.
Click here to view the RJM Blog.

Palos Verdes Library Lecture

2009-05-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

On Saturday May 23rd, 2009 at 1-3pm.

Click here to view the link to the advertisement through PVLD website.

national park grants

2009-03-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

Additional information on the Save America's Treasures program can be found on the NPS website at : www2.cr.nps.gov/treasures
the NEA website at :www.arts.gov/endownews/news00/2000SATlist.html
Travel links to outdoors living/ sites for potential art grant proposals in CA:http://www.totalescape.net,

Volunteer Ecuador: The Colibris

2009-02-12T13:17:00.001-08:00

Click here to view a website that will further inform you of what we will be doing and where we will be in Ecuador. When you go to the website, on the right hand side is different photo albums (ex: "My Life in Ecuador," "Artesanias," "Colibris Community"). In the album Artesanias, there are photos of the jewelry these women are creating. In the album Colibris Community, you will get a feel for the village we will be living in. In the album Cloud Forest, you will get a feel of the environment that surrounds the village. After viewing these photographs, I felt much more aware of what it will be like to volunteer with this women at the Colibris.

And of course, soon enough you will be seeing pictures of me in Ecuador! Our adventure begins February 13th and we are there until May 10th!

"TerraSante"

2009-01-27T21:11:00.000-08:00

Finally, the first "wwoofing" host will be just outside of Tucson, Arizona. A place called TerraSante: A Place Under the Stars caught my eye and Dana and I will be traveling there February 1st and staying one week. I am interested in many of their projects. From learning solar power to helping build an earthen home, I feel this community has much to offer. They are also close to a Native American Reservation. There, I feel their ways of creating jewelry or adornment pieces will influence what knowledge we take to Colibris a week later. In Arizona, we will also be attending the Tuscan Bead and Gem Show on the 7th. There, I hope to meet artists from around the world who are making all natural jewelry pieces and beads. From bone to bamboo, from glass to wood, there will be much to collect and take to Colibris.

Click here to view the TerraSante website.

Ecuador: Sustainable Jewelry Community

2009-01-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Looking to travel, volunteer, and visit Colibris Women's Artisan Cooperative in Ecuador this March.

New York Times: Gold Mine in Peru

2009-01-21T18:14:00.000-08:00

Click here to view a multimedia posting through New York Times concerning Gold mining in Peru.

"Brick Projection"

2009-01-06T23:30:00.000-08:00

Click here to view documentation of a site-specific video installation.

Location: Gettysburg, PA

Medium: Digital Projection, Digital Sound, Digital Video

"Windmills"

2009-01-06T23:01:00.000-08:00

Click here for a documentation of a site-specific video installation.

Location: Centralia, PA

Medium: Digital Projection, Digital Sound, Digital Video

Black Rock Foundation Grant

2009-01-06T20:44:00.000-08:00

Giving grants to artists in support of interactive installations and performances across the country. $500-$6000 budget range. The 2009 Grant Cycle will begin to accept applications Februrary 13, 2009 at 9am. The deadline for application and supplemental material submissions is March 13, 2009 at 5pm. Does not fund art destined for the Burning Man event.

Visit Our Collaborative Website

2009-01-06T19:53:00.000-08:00

Since June, 2008 we have been collaborating on a body of work. Mainly video installations, we classify our work as public and environmental art. Dana Richardson received her BFA in Video and Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2008. Sarah Zentz received her BFA in Multimedia from Millersville University in Pennsylvania in 2008. Now living in Southern California, we are looking forward to a year of travel, investigating landscape and culture and multiple mediums to convey ideas. Any recommendations or references for artist residencies, artist grants, and other artists programs are welcomed and appreciated.

Click here to view our online portfolio, resume, and contact information.

Oxfam America

2009-01-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

Oxfam America works on the scene, helping people gain the hope, skills, and direction to create a new future. We are also active in the global arena, addressing social injustice through our advocacy, public education, and emergency assistance programs.

ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL

2009-01-06T19:17:00.000-08:00

Wild & Scenic: The largest environmental film festival in the United States.

March 14th: On tour in San Diego, CA

CLUI

2009-01-06T19:09:00.000-08:00

THE CENTER FOR LAND USE INTERPRETATION is a research organization involved in exploring, examining, and understanding land and landscape issues. The Center employs a variety of methods to pursue its mission - engaging in research, classification, extrapolation, and exhibition.

The Wendover Residence Program: Located in the desert town of Wendover, Utah. The program enables participants to live in Wendover and produce work related to the unique and inspiring geographic region, which includes the Great Salt Lake and its desert and salt-flat environs. During the course of the residency, participants are asked to produce work that explores themes related to the area, work which will then be exhibited.

WWOOFing

2009-01-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms:

WWOOF is a world wide network - It started in the Uk in 1971 and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living.

WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.