The Phoenix Art Project Community Exhibit
August 15th, 2020
The DAC is holding a Gallery Exhibition to reflect creatively on the challenges, resilience, and strengths revealed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to see and hear how Covid-19, quarantine, and social isolation have impacted your life. We are accepting many forms of artistic expression: paintings, photography, sculptures, and audio recording of poetry to name a few.
This exhibit will be shown in the DAC windows facing East 2nd Avenue. Buyers will be encouraged to window shop.
Please reach out to Jen Olguin at jen@durangoarts.org or Liz Clare at liz@durangoarts.org for any questions.
Deep Water and Fearless Heart Malas – Alisa Hjermstad
+1 970 430 1023
abhjerm@gmail.com
Hand-knotted on silk with precious and semi- precious stones found from different parts of the world. The stones are pieced together with the intention to help calm and support. The meditative practice of passing the beads one by one through your thumb and heart finger help to tone to the circadian rhythms of the natural world. One mala helps support the heart “Fearless Heart” and “Deep Waters” help calm and ground in unsettling times.
Fearless Heart Mala
By Alisa Hjermstad
44” Silk-knotted precious and semi-precious stones
Price $173.00
“I got me a fearless heart.
Strong enough to get me through the scary parts.
It’s been broken many times before,
But a fearless heart just comes back for more.”
Song lyrics by Shawn Colvin
Artist Statement:
With all the life changes that have happened since the introduction of the virus, I now realize the importance of clear and positive communications from my heart.
In early February, I and my best friend had returned to Durango from Tucson loaded with gems and beads. I was ready to enjoy the colder months of winter making malas and clearing my crystals for this year’s shows and indoor events. Little did I know, how these plans would change.
Covid-19 suddenly entered our lives, and the malas became my companions. Their healing powers gave me strength and guidance during my time as a single woman in quarantine.
The following gems and crystals were especially supportive to me during this difficult time:
Rhodochrosite- A healer of wounds and calls to the ones you love to commune together
Kunzite- Heals a broken heart by filling it with blood and renews the heart’s energies
Pink Tourmaline- Infuses your aura with love and kindness
Rose Quartz- Unconditional love
Moonstone- Balances male and female energies
Lepidolite- Calms and clears the negative spaces in the heart
Rudraksha Seed – Protects your heart from others rage
Etched Pearl with the Prayer of Compassion- Om Mani Padme Hum
Shiva Shell-Protection and knowing thy true self
Deep Water Mala
By Alisa Hjermstad
44”Silk-knotted precious and semi-precious stones
Price $137.00
Artist Statement:
In March, I found myself suddenly confined to my house with no partner, no family, and no friends, completely isolated. For several days, I worked with my malas and waited for Covid-19 to miraculously disappear. But after several weeks, I began yearning for conversation and relationship. I realized how lucky I was to have two cats, a trove of houseplants and crystals. They became my support and my companions.
My cats became responsive to my voice; they answered when I asked questions—and I understood. My plants helped me mark time by growth of a new bud of the increasing height of the shishito peppers. I added a victory garden of herbs and veggies. It provided me with many new “friends” that added to my daily wonder and joy. I then ventured out- of –doors to search for wild seeds to plant.
Loneliness and isolation have taught me to see the living things around me and to appreciate their companionship. Although I am now able to visit the humans that I hold most dear, I am still single. I am still lonely at times. But I have learned to invite loneliness in, offer it a sip of water, and watch it disappear as I remember how I was nurtured by that which was already there.
And these are the gems and stones that were especially helpful:
Aquamarine-The Sea, exhilarating and calming
Botswana Agate-A comfort stone
Etched Pearl with the Prayer of Compassion- Om Mani Padme Hum
Shiva Shell- Protection.
P.S. I had to post the artist statements here and could not upload the file below. Thank You!
COVID Craze – Alyssa Joy Miyat
+1 808 741 6021
alyssamiyat@gmail.com
Acrylic paint pop art on 9”x11.5” Canvas.
COVID has allowed many of us to spend more time with our loved ones & to indulge in our passions while having to stay/work at home. I was able to create this piece which depicts the “craziness” COVID has caused in my life. Although this year has been rough, life is still beautiful…just like this piece of art.
Home Bound – Ann Smith
+1 505 320 3132
I’ve been experimenting with acrylic paints during this strange and frightening time of the coronavirus pandemic. Feeling very “at home” with mostly large scale, loose watercolor paintings I have challenged my current (dis)comfort level even more by restricting my studio time to creating small, tight acrylic paintings as if to force myself to confront the significance of the passage of time and the necessity of opening up oneself to new, unexplored, risk taking experiences.
For me, painting is always a meditative time of self-discovery and this little painting represents the many tentative moments of venturing out of my home yet always coming back HOME to where I feel safe, centered, loved and loving. May it be so that “SAFER AT HOME” rings true for everyone and that a period of disciplined physical distancing brings an end to COVID-19. After all, we are all (BOUND) in this together.
Bright Side -Avery Wickes
+1 970 903 4872
averywickes@yahoo.com
My name is Avery Wickes, I am an 18-year-old local artist, and a 2020 graduate. My intention in creating Bright Side was to share my view from inside my home during quarantine in my favorite medias: Soft Pastel Acrylic Paint, and Charcoal.
The pandemic has been stressful and nerve racking and I found my sanity by admiring the beautiful view outside my window. This piece reflects how fortunate we as citizens of Durango and the surrounding areas are to be quarantined in such a beautiful area. I chose to depict the La Plata Mountains, Aspen Trees, and the Southwestern White Pine in vivid color to remind my audience of what to focus on during the Pandemic other than cleaning, quarantine, and face masks. When looking at this piece I ask that you reflect on what you may have had the opportunity to experience amidst the pandemic for instance, the outdoors, the views, good hikes, one of our numerous lakes, etc. Thank you for taking the time to observe my piece and I hope it brings about a calming effect to your day.
Dimensions: 12 x 16
Medium: Soft Pastels and Acrylic Paint on Velor Paper
Frame will be included
Price: $260