Keeping an Open Mind to Connect with Community

 

To stay connected with friends and family and support the Allegany Arts Association and the Belfast Organization For Artists while we safely social distance in the winter months ahead, I have decided to re-open my page.

After almost four weeks being fb-free, it was brought to my attention that if my goal is to provide equitable access to local creative things, I must meet our community where they are.

Many local creators have turned to this social media tool to stay connected to each other and share their work with the public during these strange times. As the risks of in-person social contact continue, it is my hope that we will use this tool to share and celebrate our creative resilience.

However, for the most timely response; it is still best to contact me at my studio. My most-current posts about local activities and my art can still be found here on my patreon.

Subscribing patrons unlock the most art but anyone can "follow" for free and find lots of existing content in my public activity feed.

October 2020 SheilaLynnK Art Studio Updates

 As the safety of my patrons, visitors, and family are of utmost concern the studio is temporarily closed until further notice.

The most current studio updates can now be found on my patreon page. 

In need of something to inspire me to start drawing again, referencing the official #Inktober prompts, I am taking the leap into Inktober for the first time. 

Though I am not as consistent with the posts as I would like to be, my subscribing patrons are currently receiving extra rewards in the form of inky sketches based on the official daily prompts from the Inktober 2020 project. Unlock those here.

During these shifting times, I am uncertain what other changes will be taking place in the studio. For now, I am observing safety practices and doing the best I can to create while maintaining this "holding pattern" that keeps us wondering what will happen next. 

More thoughts about that can be found here: 
October 2020 SheilaLynnK Art Studio E-News

My website has become the web home for my portfolio and other PreCovid19 Projects

Though most purchasing options are currently unavailable,
Feel free to contact the studio to find out if there are any remaining options to purchase items shown on my website.

Watch Last Year's Welcome Video
Keeping Art Accessible to All Members of Our Rural Community
We believe Culture is a Human Right. #RightToBelong
Cultural Policy of Belonging

By visiting:
sheilalynnkart.com,
sheilalynnkart.blogspot.com,
and its project pages:
artforarachnoiditis.org
and belfastorganizationforartists.blogspot.com
you hereby accept the terms of and practices detailed in our
ONLINE PRIVACY POLICY.

If you would like to make a Tax-deductible contribution to support Charitable Art Projects at SheilaLynnK Art Studio you can find out more about that HERE.

By the end of the year I will be closing my facebook account. Get quarterly updates and studio news in your email when you Subscribe to the Studio Newsletter.

Intentionally American

"American Woman" ~sheilalynnkart.com

Living in the shadow of corruption which thrives on the general apathy of the people, active participation may be the most productive act of rebellion we will ever know.

To be a free citizen is a right which comes with great responsibility. Our nation is, and always has been, what we make it. Corruption will always take controlling action when the people do not stand in the way. Apathy and distraction fertilize the fields of corruption. America has not failed the people. Large portions of the American population got comfortable with the entitlements associated with being a “free” nation and, in our inactivity, we have failed the intent of her constitution.

In the midst of all of the accusations and epithets flying so loudly against “them” and “they” it is ever-so-easy to forget that “We, the people” has never meant, “They, the people.” The people of this nation must own the choices which brought us to this phase of national development. 

Understanding the part we have played empowers our inherent ability to create change. We are not victims of a failed intention but the owners of the opportunities which only responsibly active citizenship can provide. So many of our residents have failed to understand that the “They” we so often blame, is the same “They” that we allow to control the status quo.

It is easier to place blame and say, “What a lie!” than it is to take a hard look at the lack of responsible citizenship which allowed our nation to be lead by actions we can no longer tolerate. A constitution or declaration of independence only means as much as the paper and ink used to write it if the people do not read it, understand it, or actively ensure its successful implementation and equitable evolution. We cannot undo the past. There is no time like the present to get to know and understand the American Constitution and the power of the people which exists between its lines.

We, the people are required to choose leaders who believe and uphold those ideals providing them with the courage to act in service of our Constitution. We must select those who are unafraid to enforce its meaning, question its applications, and equitably interpret and implement its content to accommodate the growing diversity of our modern population. If those leaders do not yet exist, as free citizens who expect to benefit from leadership guided by the aims of such a document; it is our job to become them. Beyond that, we must be sure that we are creating them now. 

Merriam Webster's Definition of citizenship

"2b: the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community."

American Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities 

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: 

To those who have said, "Americans all have the same opportunities. Everyone has obstacles. It is up to each one of us to step up and meet those obstacles in order to "succeed." Blame is irrelevant."
I write:
AMERICAN CHOICES~ IMPORTANT QUESTIONS (Aug. 20, 2017)

It is my sincere hope that one day a New American Spirit will be born who will have the option to ponder these choices based entirely upon personal preference without any need to consider privilege or prejudice.

And 

#Still Proud To Be An American (Nov. 13, 2016)

Resting Between The Hoops

"Resting Between the Hoops" 

As my lofty goals of creative enlightenment and service flutter around my head among the expectations (and politics) of a Health and Safety Re-opening plan and the general administrative and marketing duties of running a business, I am pushed to consider the inevitable cost of holding space for others.

If I "jump through the hoops" am I allowing myself to be manipulated by the system OR am I doing the work that must take place to provide the space for wellness? 

Though I have always been selective about which hoops to go through and which ones to go around, over the years, I have learned that those hoops are only obstacles when I allow my ego to define them. 

Recently asked, what is the cost of navigating those hoops, I paused. 

Somewhere around 0:Dark30 this morning I heard the question,

 "What is the cost if you don't?"

And...there it was. 

Being "of service" to anything has never been the easy path to choose. 

So, I will continue to rest between the hoops and do my best to leave my ego sitting in the red tape as I move forward. 

Perhaps, I will also evolve a little bit along the way. 

~Blessings! 
["Hoops" 48" x 60" acrylic on stretched canvas 2001) ]

As I continue to manage and monitor the news
 regarding COVID19,

my most current studio activities and offerings can be found 
on my Patreon Page.

March 15th to June 15th 2020, I will be working on professional development, transitional strategies, schedule adjustments, technology upgrades at the studio, and Springing into the Creative Wellness Garden at the studio.

Online message response times 
may be significantly delayed.

Thank you for your patience as I modify studio procedures.

Re-Opening details TBA June 15, 2020

FREE Studio Services~ COVID 19 Update

FREE Creative Wellness Program 

During these strange times, as portions of the content may be useful to some people right now; I have decided to make my five module Creative Wellness Independent Study Program available for free.  

Anyone interested in finding out more can watch the video and access the complete pdf in my public patreon feed here: 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/creative-program-34938106

As I didn't take the time to make a brand new video...please disregard any references to payments for the content. 

Though this content may not be useful for everyone, feel free to share the link with anyone you feel might benefit from it.

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

If you enjoy this program, 

You might also like the book: 

99 Keys to a Creative Life; Spiritual, Intuitive, and Awareness Practices for Personal Fulfillment by Melissa Harris. 

It is available from numerous locations used and new.

I just bought a used one so that I wouldn't feel bad about writing in it. 

FREE Art Supplies for Allegany County NY residents

 As a single-employee business my studio is excluded from the NYS closings of non-essential businesses. Though I won't be open for regular retail business or sales, as a central location near the grocery store and pharmacy; I will be open by appointment to offer support services to our community. 

Allegany Arts Association has FREE Art Supplies for local youth working to meet
creative and academic goals. These will be distributed to Allegany County, NY residents from my studio in Wellsville, NY.

In June 2019, the Allegany Arts Association received a large donation
of these new, old-but-never-opened, and lightly used art supplies and puzzle books.
These are currently being stored at Sheilalynnk Art Studio in Wellsville.

Though this large assortment of items has not been out of storage or exposed to the studio environment since August, operating on the side of caution; to the best of my ability I am using CDC-compliant methods to clean any unwrapped items
and bundle things together for distribution to local families who have a use for them.

Contact the studio if you would like to pick up some of these items.

In compliance with CDC guidelines,  all pick-ups will take place outside of the studio
and appointments will be staggered to maintain safe social distance guidelines.

After you confirm your pick-up time, please send ONLY one person to pick up your items.
 (Home delivery is not available.)

It's a lot to sort and bundle. The Goal is to have some of these available for pick-up
by Tuesday March 24th and to continue scheduling pick-up until the supplies are gone. 

UPDATE (3.24.2020 3:00pm)

 Some packs are labeled Family pack "teen-adult"  and some are labeled Family Pack.

 The "teen-adult" contains sharpee markers and some activities which may be too advanced for elementary level learners. 

While the plain "Family Packs" have things that may be appropriate for Pre-K to Adult minus the sharpee markers. 

Pick Up times are available from 4-6pm today and noon to 4pm Wednesday the 25th. 

Additional options TBA  while supplies last. 

Please call ahead so we can keep the density low.  

_________________________________

DONATIONS WELCOME
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A TIME
TO DROP OFF CLEAN, UNUSED ART AND ACADEMIC
SUPPLIES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY VIA THIS METHOD. 

_____________________________

Didn't receive this news via your email? No worries.
You can Opt-in to the Allegany Arts Association email list.

Click here to sign up to be sure that you receive future e-invitations,
announcements, and updates about ad options and other opportunities and projects from
the Allegany Arts Association delivered directly to the email address you provide.

____________________

Governor Cuomo's Guidance on essential business determination 

Disinfectants for Use Against (Sars-Cov-2) Covid 19 

2020 SWAN Days Postponed until further notice

2020 SWAN Days Allegany County NY COVID 19 Updates

As the health and safety of studio patrons and visitors is of utmost concern, the public studio activities originally scheduled for March 2020 have  been postponed pending updates from the CDC, WHO, and our county health department. 

 Watch for updates about this and other SWAN Days activities in my public access feed on patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/SheilaLynnKart 

 Allegany County officials stress that these measures are precautionary in nature, it is better to err on the side of caution through support of social-distancing measures as we learn how this virus reacts. This is not a time for fear and panic but rather planning and precaution. 

Update 3.15.2020 9:10pm 

Two COVID 19 cases confirmed in Allegany County, NY. 

The NYSDOH has developed a Coronavirus hotline (1-888-364-3065) where the public may reach out with questions or concerns about travel and symptoms. If any Allegany County resident has questions or concerns regarding Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) or travel related questions, please feel free to contact their office directly at 585-268-9250 

~Wellsville Daily  

New CDC recommendation: 

Starting immediately and for the next 8 weeks, CDC recommends cancelling all events of 50 or more people.

Ongoing guidance recommends that, in areas where there is even minimal COVID-19, events likely to include 10 or more people at high-risk for serious issues should be cancelled. People at higher risk include older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions such as lung and heart disease, as well as diabetes.

If there is substantial spread in your area, all gatherings should be cancelled.
https://bit.ly/2xyUfDQ

2020 SWAN Days Allegany County NY

2019SWANDays Art Show entries by local artists: 

Kathryn Garrison, Betsy Orlando, Sarah Phillips, 

Vicki White, Kami Oberst, Kristen Kruger, and Eleanor Cott

Allegany County, NY artists, entrepreneurs, libraries, and other public venues are invited to host and post events and activities by, for, and about women in the arts. Through the months of March and April, updates are posted HERE in the order in which they are received. This FREE listing is shared with the international SWAN Day Calendar at Statera Arts. Held annually in honor of the local creators and patrons keeping the arts accessible to all members of our rural community, 2020 SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Days Allegany County, NY invites you to join us in celebrating women in the arts.

HERE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN 2020

$100 #SWANShelfie fund for a local library

One Allegany County, NY Library participating in the 2020 SWANShelfie social media contest 

March 1st – 25th, will be selected to receive a $100 SWANfund toward the purchase of any women in arts media of their choice. 

SWANShelfie Registration information is HERE 

$100 SWANSongs fund for a local female acoustic artist

One local female acoustic artist will be the recipient of a $100 stipend to perform a thirty-minute set at the SWAN Day Party on March 28th. Accepting work samples March 1 – 15th. Late entries will not be considered. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IS HERE 

SWAN Days Annual Art Show & Sale CALL FOR ARTISTS

Local women artists age 18 and up residing or working in Allegany County, NY, are invited to display their work in the annual art show & sale in the David A. Howe Library exhibition room. Pre-registration is required by March 6th. 

Ready-to-Display Media Accepted:  Illustration, Drawing & Painting, Fabric Arts, Wood Works, Mixed-media, and Up-cycled Art. Participating artists who submit a bio will be featured on our event pages.  

Entry Fee $10 per entry  

(Limit: THREE entries per person. This entry fee is required for works to be included in the voting process for the cash awards. Please indicate on your entry form if you are submitting a work without payment for "display/sale purposes only". Buyers will contact the artist to arrange purchase. Purchased art may be picked up after the end of the exhibit.)  

Art Show entry forms and details are HERE 

The 2020 SWAN Days Art Show & Sale will be free and open to the public 

March 16th – March 27th and March 30th – April 3rd during regular library hours.

Winners are determined by visitors’ votes. Voting will take place at the library 

March 18th 4:30-7pm. Light Refreshments provided. 

Each visitor wishing to vote will sign in at the door to receive ONE ballot. 

Winners will be selected based on the number of votes received for each award category.

AWARD Categories

“BEST IN SHOW” $100, “Best Craftsmanship & Presentation” $50, “Most Unique” $50, 

“Favorite Entry Featuring a Swan” $45  Winners TBA at the SWAN Day Party on March 28th.                                                                                   

SWAN Day Party March 28th 11:30-1:30 

at David A. Howe Library Exhibition Room in Wellsville, NY 

Receive your ticket to attend when you RSVP to SheilaLynnK Art Studio by March 6th. 

The SWAN Day Party is a free event to celebrate our local women artists and those keeping the arts accessible to all members of our rural community. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to pass. Those wearing or bringing a swan (no live animals please) will be entered for a chance to win a fun door prize. A table will be available to present your artsy news and biz cards. 

Now in its 13th year, Support Women Artists Now Day/SWAN Day is an annual international celebration of women’s creativity and gender parity activism, co-founded by Martha Richards of WomenArts and Jan Lisa Huttner of FF2 Media in 2008. SWAN Day is now a grassroots international effort that is being coordinated by Statera Foundation and WomenArts through the Statera Arts Website.  

SWAN Days Allegany County, NY is a charitable project of SheilaLynnK Art Studio in partnership with the Belfast Organization for Artists in Belfast, NY 

FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPORT SWANDays Allegany County NY 

2020 NEWS AND LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATORS

THINGS ARE CHANGING AT THE STUDIO IN 2020 

A fun adventure while it lasted (2016-2019),
The Gallery and class space at the studio are now closed.
For the first time since the spinal cord injury (2007), I am attempting to work outside of my live work studio space.
Studio visits are available by appointment during open studio hours,
and special events because The Art still happens.

FIND OUT MORE about this and opportunities for local creators

in the 2020 SheilaLynnK Art Studio News