from the (Art)fields
a milestone event that connects, energizes, and inspires
Hello there! It's Jocelyn Mathewes from my studio in Appalachia.
The sun is setting over the building behind me, casting long shadows. I'm seated in a woven chair in the back courtyard of Acline Studios, and DJ Love has started a beat. I bask in the shade and watch the sky change color.
I look around me, and I am not alone. There are artists all over this courtyard, mingling inside the gallery, talking, moving, connecting. And I'm one of them.
I'm chatting with Ashley and Nick, who I met earlier today in a hair salon. Andrés makes late entrance after taking down his inflatable chrome-colored interactive installation. I won't deinstall my work until tomorrow because it's going to take awhile, and there's too much to soak in.
Earlier in the day, I witnessed the triumph of artists who have worked hard and persistently for years. They got paid. They got recognized. They were celebrated. Even the ones who didn't win prizes were appreciated. Many of us sold work. Some received exhibition opportunities. The ground seemed to drift away from my feet a little.
My face started to ache from smiling during the closing ceremonies. My chest twinged and my stomach churned as thoughts rolled in — Why not my work? When is it my turn? As my fellow artist-participant and companion for the weekend said, "Sure, 'everyone's a winner,' but I could sure use that $50k prize!"
Envy and jealousy stood in a close and fierce embrace, threatening to choke each other out.
The next morning, I share my feelings with Marcy while her youngest crawled all over the couch in our shared AirBNB. We talk about the despair of being lost in a crowd, finding out your ideas are not that new or original, or your work isn't as powerful or great (yet).
We held these things alongside a desire to level up and get to work. Seeing high-level quality inspires you for what is next, reveals what is possible, and helps you understand where you can improve.
Together we traced the shape of where we are and where we want to be.
We piled in our twin minivans and drove to the ROB Gallery to pick up our work. On the way, Marcy got a phone call that made her scream with astonishment and delight. It was the gallery designer with the news that her piece had sold.
We are exactly where we need to be. We are here, doing it!
in the studio
I’m still struggling to find time in the studio, but with ArtFields I’ve got more fire under me to invest the time and resources that it will take to generate new work and get to a new level of quality, formal cohesion and depth.
(And maybe sales, ha!) 🤑
So you heard it here first—I’m going to do it! Apply to residencies, take the class, apply butt to chair—whatever it takes. It’s going to get messy in here.
Can you give me your best advice for prioritizing your artwork as inspiration?
in the community
I’m facilitating the upcoming panel discussion, Listening, Learning, Leveraging: Shaping Our Region’s Creative Ecosystem, spearheaded by Create Appalachia and hosted by Fischman Gallery on May 15th.
Four leaders from the community will talk about the importance of the arts for community and economic development in the East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina region. We will follow with a listening session to generate ideas from attendees and tap into what artists, musicians, creatives, and businesses need to thrive and grow here and now. So if you’re an artist from 'round hereabouts, please come! It’s important that we hear as many voices as possible.
Also, the call for the 3rd Annual Yard pARTy is wide open!
This year’s pop-up event also includes a 1-month exhibit in Tipton Gallery in downtown Johnson City. Artists from all over are welcome to apply. Yes, that means you.
(And yes, I’ll probably extend the deadline.) 😉
in the wild
It’s fun to compare Para(site)dise with my miniature works for the TERRAIN biennial—
It’s time to get to work!
xo,
jocelyn
see my work on my website
for speaking/exhibition inquiries & connection, send me an e-mail
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Sounds like a well-deserved and wonderful event