What's Irene up to?

I thought I'd kick off the "what I'm up to" section. Hopefully someone else will join in so I'm not just talking to myself! :)

I officially graduated from MSCD (drawing) in December 2005 & was part of the BFA show at the CVA in November 2005 titled "Mish Mash". Probably the biggest non-art related thing going on in my life is that I became a mom. My daughter Audrey Monet was born on December 24, 2005. She was due on graduation day but blessed me with a week of down time before her arrival. Audrey has become my sidekick, my inspiration, my best friend (all roles that my husband Joe also fills of course!) as well as someone who sucks up my time and energy. Also, my husband started working in Boston in January, so we all split our time between Denver & Boston. SO, needless to say the artwork production has been slow lately.

However, that is all changing! I received a grant/ associateship for 2006-07 for the Rocky Mountain Women's Institute (RMWI). They are a non-profit group in Denver whose mission is: "To promote the intellectual & artistic accomplishments of women by creating a supportive community of artists, writers & scholars." The institute has been around since 1976 & is based on the concept that talent & creativity can flourish best when supported & encouraged with adequate resources. That is all fine & dandy you say, but what are the details? There are 7 associates this year; 3 artists, 1 playwright, 2 novelists & 1 opera singer. We are to meet about once a month as a group, work on a project (individually) throughout the year & present it in April (it doesn't necessarily have to be completed by then), give a lecture at a UCD course called 'Imaging & Identity' and attend fundraising events for the Institute. We will receive a $1250 stipend to help fund our projects. The Institute's year ends in April with a presentation at the King Center at Auraria (including readings by the authors & performance by the singer) followed by a group show at Emmanuel Gallery. Since its inception, RMWI has supported over 200 associates. For all of you women out there (sorry guys! It is currently only open to women, I think! I'd have to check on that to be sure.), applications are taken in the spring, interviews conducted in May & acceptance letters mailed in early June. Let me know if you want information about applying and I can get that to you.

I was the Featured Artist for the month of July at Moondance Botanicals located at 11th Ave & Cherokee St in Denver. That is the only show I've done recently though.

I have posted a blog for my RMWI project on my website (which is under construction!), www.irenekeeley.info. You can keep track of the details of my project there if you're so inclined.

So that's me in 1000 words or less. As soon as I see if there is interest in getting this Alumni group going I'll throw out a date for us all to meet up in person.

Call For Entries

The Other Side Arts is having their annual Women's Show opening Sept. 1 from 7-11 pm.

Welcome!

A little history of how Blackberry Sketch came to be for those of you who don't know...
It was spring semester 2005 at Metro State College in Denver in Room 296 of the Art Building. Amie Bergeson was graduating at the end of the semester, but wanted a way to keep the momentum of a studio setting going after graduation. So she came up with the idea of Blackberry Sketch. It would begin as your basic college campus student organization. But the ultimate vision was for it to have an alumni chapter as well, serving students post graduation. That first semester was pretty much all about getting the club officially running. However, we did manage to put together a show with the MSCD Sculpture Club at The Other Side Arts (see photo). Irene Keeley took over the role as president for the fall semester 2005. Together with Sandy Lane, Drawing Department Chair, they brought in visiting artist Angela Ellsworth. (www.angelaellsworth.com) Jamie Plunkett took over in spring 2006, and currently resides as president of the club. She has been doing a wonderful job! She put together a show and artist workshop during her first semester with the club.
So here we are as alumni. And I wonder, how many of us are making art? And if we're making it, are we showing it? One thing I keep hearing is that it is very important for artists to have a community of artists to support them. Let's be that community!
Next on the agenda: set up a meeting time so we can get together and discuss our art and lives in the post college world.
Happy art making everyone!