Art Makes Anchorage

Giant, 5' tall letters to be displayed at the opening of the district's art show. The "R" is made of recycled, plastic bottle caps and the "T" is wrapped in paper recycled coffee cup sleeves. 

This week I have the opportunity to assist with the Anchorage School District's art show at the Anchorage Museum. We have approximately 350 - 400 pieces of art to display that were juried by district art teachers for grades K -12. I have been so inspired by the work that I've seen! This is one of my favorite events to attend and being able to be part of the installation team has been an honor. Anchorage is fortunate to have incredibly talented art teachers at every level. Over 30 years ago I was selected to participate in this very exhibit and I can honestly say that the support and encouragement I received from my art teachers helped to chart the course for a successful career in Art Making.

Anchorage School District  

District Wide Art Department’s 

40^th Anniversary Year in recognition of 

National Youth Art Month 

March 2 – April 1, 2012

Art Makes Anchorage

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

This large, paper maché Lion is almost 6' tall.

My pin I'm pointing to is from the Anchorage School District Youth Art Month 30 years ago, "You Gotta' Have Art" when I had an oil painting selected for display in the very same place! I remember how proud my family and I were to attend the show and have a piece of my art in a museum that was painted by a kid! I shared this fond memory with the team and we took great care honoring and hanging each piece of student created art.

We had two large walls for the
elementary 2-D art, large museum display
cases for the 3-D works and the upper
level of the Museum will
display Senior high works including
pieces of jewelry, pottery and fiber.

A Student with a sense of…

DESIGN can create and appreciate human-made objects that go beyond function and may be perceived as beautiful, whimsical, extraordinary, unique or emotionally engaging;

STORY communicates effectively with others by creating, as well as appreciating a compelling narrative;

SYMPHONY synthesizes ideas, sees the big picture, crosses boundaries, and combines disparate pieces into a meaningful whole;

EMPATHY understands another’s point of view, is able to forge relationships and feels compassion for others;

PLAY creatively engages in problem-solving, benefits personally and socially from flexibility, humor, risk-taking, curiosity, inventive thinking and games;

MEANING pursues more significant endeavors, desires and enduring idea, has a sense of purpose, inspiration, fulfillment, and responsibility in making informed choices towards higher-order thinking skills and transformation.

             -courtesy ASD 2012 Art Makes Anchorage bookmark/brochure

Student created fabric wrapped birch branches made for a FAB backdrop to the hand painted "Starry Night Piano."

Detail from one of several large banners that hang in the Atrium of the Anchorage Museum.

Getting My Fix

The EYE of the Beholder Wearable Art Show needed a “People’s Choice Award” trophy and I jumped at the chance to create something fun out of metal. It was a chance to get my “metal fix” with all this fiber art I’ve been working in lately! The show already had a fab logo designed by fellow volunteer and graphic designer Deanna Teders. It’s great when somebody can email you a ready to go vector file that has been built right and corrupted! I edited part of the logo that had a large zipper and added a few of the buttons that were also in the logo and had it cut out of ¼” aluminum steel. I wanted a piece that could be held up by the winner as their name was announced –sort of like an Oscar! The trophy company is milling me an acrylic base and engraved name plate this week. It was fun to work with metal again but I had to unpack drill, grinder and even heavy duty gloves that I hadn't used since we moved.

We’ve been keeping up with our daughter, Kristen through the Great Belt Research Cruise daily Blog! She is currently at sea in the Southern Ocean with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences as a Research Technician. The 2012 Great Belt Research Cruise: Exploring Phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean An international team of researchers left Durban, South Africa on February 18, 2012 aboard the Research Vessel Roger Revelle and will arrive 35 days later in Freemantle, Australia, after collecting data and samples as they cross the Southern Ocean “25 Scientists, 35 days at sea, billions of coccolithophores.” Kristen works primarily with the CTD equipment, then will process the samples from the various stations in the on board laboratory. The CTD rosette is the primary water collection tool used on the cruise; CTD stands for Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth, referring to the set of sensors mounted on the bottom of the rosette.

There is an education link for the cruise that is interesting for any teachers you may know. The goal of this project is to increase ocean literacy by inspiring and encouraging students and the public to learn about oceanography, life at sea and career options in ocean science.  Photos and the expedition’s blog are by Rebecca Fowler.

That's our girl, GRADUATED AND gainfully EMPLOYED :)

Process of Intimidation

Detail of "Power Suit for Casual Fridays" 

My entries for the EYE of the Beholder Wearable Art Show Anchorage are complete. I was feeling satisfied and even somewhat accomplished because I felt I’d fully experienced the PROCESS from idea, production, deconstruction, back to reconstruction and finally the completion of each piece. There were structural and creative challenges and frustrations. Materials were unpacked, found, sought, purchased, tried out and many cast aside –for me, all symptoms of a full-blown creative process in a new medium. Sometimes when I get caught up in the process I forget the important details like deadlines, application forms or even sending in the fees associated with a Call for Entry. While confirming the entry form details on line, I went to a link for the Juneau, AK Wearable Art Show which then lead me to the link for WOW, the World of Wearable Art. Emphasis on W-O-R-L-D, entries with global talent and even bigger ideas that seemed perfectly executed from top globally successful creative types. Sculptural forms and inventive materials were adorning the human form that seemed even too creative for the Broadway stage or the best of a Cirque show. Looking at image after image in awe and admiration is when that nasty, dark feeling of doubt seeped in to my psyche.  Suddenly, my entries seem so amateur, unpolished and not worthy of any stage. I was feeling I didn’t even want to enter the show. Maybe I could come up with an excuse that I had a catastrophic fiber explosion that melted both pieces into a ball of crap. I was also feeling confident that I had the creative “eye” while looking at each of these entries with such admiration that it actually inspired me at the same time intimidation was beating me down and fizzing up my guts. Feeling my lowest and not coming up with a suitable excuse as to why I couldn’t enter my two lowly pieces in the Anchorage Show I found more links on the WOW site “Why Enter,” “Getting Started,” “Design Forum,” and even “Design Tips.” I suddenly felt welcomed into this new world of wearable art. I read of many other new artists and “never-evers” that had questions, fears and apprehensions as I did. I may not be entering the WORLD of WearableArt Show but I appreciated their supportive and encouraging approach to us beginners. That is how you grow, foster and support CREATIVITY. I’m going to try and apply this experience to our local Eye of the Beholder Wearable Art Show as I fill out my entry forms -today. As an artist, even if your medium of choice is not fiber, you need to check out some of these creations for inspiration. I also felt that a few of the WOW judges comments are helpful for any of us working in any medium -where you read the word “garments” and “fabric” simply insert your current medium of choice:

"Too Much Dress Up!" entry for the EYE of the Beholder Wearable Art Show -Anchorage by Cindy Shake. Original pattern and design, Barbie accessories, clothes, tulle, found objects, commercial fabric.

       

      "There were some great concepts but some garments had problems with form and design. Try taking a photo of your garment or looking at it in the mirror – this can help you see it more objectively. Remember, less is more!”

       

      “We loved seeing garments made of materials that have been manipulated or transformed by the designer rather than just using commercially available fabric.”

       

      “Some garments were broken on arrival due to poor packing. The firmer you can pack your garment, the better. You may also be able to collapse your garment to fit in a smaller box or even pack it in more than one box.”

"Power Suit for Casual Friday" entry for the EYE of the Beholder Wearable Art Show -Anchorage by Cindy Shake. Original pattern and design, plasma cut steel and copper, wire, hardware, denim, satin, faux fur and LED light embellishments.

"Too Much Dress Up!" entry for the EYE of the Beholder Wearable Art Show -Anchorage by Cindy Shake. Original pattern and design, Barbie accessories, clothes, tulle, found objects, commercial fabric.

Going Formal in Alaska

"Alaska Formal" Sticky Tie from evREwares, "Art with a PEEL, Reusable, Fabric Adhesives" Fishing Lure Tie and the "Alaska Formal" line designed by Cindy Shake

 Another advantage of working with a sales rep is the opportunity to meet and be exposed to other manufacturers. This winter Karen Sobolesky showed me this amazing new sub straight material that is a patented, peelable, reusable fabric adhesive that can be wiped clean and being manufactured by evREwares. I’ve been searching for such a material to have my illustrated alphabets printed on for classrooms, kid’s rooms etc. I used to print the alphabets on long strips of cover weight paper. But due to the rising costs of offset printing and having such an awkward shaped product, this is no longer a viable solution for wholesaling. During the process of designing and working on the new alphabet project ideas with evREwares, (which are still in the development phase), I’d seen their line of children’s “Sticky Ties” that evREwares produces and thought an Alaskan themed set of adult ties would be a big seller during our tourism season. Creative minds must think alike as evREwares was in the process of producing their line of “Big Guy Ties” and thought my idea of “Alaska Formal” ties for our market was a good one and bought the idea! I designed 6 different “Alaska Formal” themed ties including the iconic “Blue Tarp” tie, duct tape, fur, salmon skin, lumberjack, and my favorite the fishing lure tie! The ties are ready and orders are rolling in for evREwares. It’s fun to actually see Derek’s old blue tarp and favorite fishing flies and lures become immortal on the “Alaska Formal” Sticky Ties!

KTVA Interview!

http://www.ktva.com/home/outbound-xml-feeds/Local-Artist-Cindy-Shake-Turns-to-Fabric-for-Her-Art-139022214.html

Local Artist Cindy Shake Turns to Fabric for Her Art

Well-known craftswoman trades welder for sewing machine

By Lauren Maxwell
Bio | Email

Story Created: Feb 9, 2012 at 8:28 AM AKST

Story Updated: Feb 9, 2012 at 11:57 AM AKST 

ANCHORAGE - Anchorage artist Cindy Shake is well known for her metal sculptures, most of which celebrate themes in nature. From garden art ravens to a huge metal flower blooming on a corner in Mountain View, Shake’s prolific work can be seen on office walls and in homes all over town.

But recently Shake’s work has taken a more delicate turn. This tough girl artist has temporarily traded in her welder’s torch for a sewing machine.

“It really is a departure from the Carhartts, sparks and flames,” jokes Shake in her colorful studio, now filled with fabric.

Shake explains that when she recently moved into a older home in Anchorage’s South Addition neighborhood there was no studio space on the property to do the big metal projects she’s so well known for. Shake said she saw it as an opportunity to take a break and change direction.

And changing directions isn’t something new for this long-time artist. Shake started her career in advertising two decades ago. Eventually she owned her own successful graphic design business. But a diagnosis of cancer in 2000 turned her life around.

“It was really hard,“ said Shake, “ I'd been working a lot, I had a real large client load and that whole year of treatment forced our family to reprioritize our lives.”

For Shake that meant one thing, spending less time at the computer and more time devoted to hands-on art. It’s when she started working with metal, an obsession that would last for a dozen years. But Shake said some recent news about her health is pointing her in yet a new direction.

“I am technically in remission, and that is making a big difference. You know, I think when you have cancer that's always in the back of your mind, you may be cured, you may be in remission, but it doesn't go away. Now I think enough time has finally gone by that I can slow down and maybe start doing some creative work that is coming from the heart.”

Shake’s latest work includes a series of colorful art quilts that are hand-sewn and embellished. She said the small pieces can become so personal that she sometimes has trouble letting them go, even to sell to local galleries.

“It’s hard; I work on a something a long time and I do have trouble parting with it,” she laughs. “I have to have what I call a ‘cooling off’ period sometimes.”

Shake’s latest business venture is something much easier to part with. It’s a line of original sewing patterns packaged so that quilters can create Shake designs of their own. Shake sells them at quilt and fabric stores around the state but said she’s also getting orders from around the world.

Then there’s the line of original fabric she’s exploring, featuring her trademark designs, as well as wearable art pieces entered in an upcoming show. Like everything she does, it’s art from the heart, and in Shake’s case that means others are likely to love it too.

The Miracle of Life

All e-mails, paperwork, order filling, phone calls and art making came to an abrupt stop on Friday when our dear friends texted me to say that “today is the day!” Our friends are in Anchorage visiting from their far North village in Alaska for their baby’s impending birth. I picked up Eunice and Sulook at the hospital when the labor and delivery nurses said we needed to have Eunice go for a long walk to get the labor to be a bit more intense before they could admit her.  “Go for a walk?!” Anchorage was in the middle of yet another massive snowstorm complete with highway and road closures and weather warnings! Driving over to the hospital the radio warned that a section of the Seward highway was closed because a school bus (no kids on board) was on it’s side and a large semi was jack-knifed further down the highway. Go for a walk?! Where? The Mall of course! Still, I was so nervous to drive anywhere beyond a 3-mile radius of the hospital because her contractions, though not very strong were no less than 8 minutes apart all day long. I admit thoughts of my dad delivering me in the front seat of his truck were flashing through my head. After an afternoon of walking and shopping for baby things, Eunice was finally admitted and let Nature take it’s course through the night. Sulook and I took turns with small catnaps in the chair, each loving and coaching the strong and beautiful Eunice until it was show time. Time was distorted in the early morning hours in the comfortable, quiet, dimly lit labor and delivery room. What initially seemed like a week (probably longer to Eunice who used NO pain meds!) within minutes after I stepped out of the room to the nurses station to say Eunice was “ready” everyone was manning their stations and it was GO TIME! Ready, set, push, push, push and before I could get everyone’s cameras going the baby was here! It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of! Even though I’ve had 3 kids, watching a birth is very different than giving birth. Seeing this perfectly shaped, living, breathing, wriggling and SCREAMING baby get plopped onto Eunice’s tummy was almost overwhelming and took my breath away. Not knowing the sex before she was born, we all were so excited we forgot to see if it was a boy or a girl! Fighting back tears because I was trying to get pictures for their family it was hard to hold the smart phones without shaking. Derek and I are the proud God Parents of the beautiful Charity Frances, which also took our breath away. We will love this little girl like our own. 

Welcome to this beautiful world Charity Frances!

Charity Frances, 8 lbs. 11 oz. born at 6:08 AM on February 4, 2012.