Sharing Memories

We had such a great response to the show. We have finally gathered everyone's memories and are fortunate enough to share them with you. Here are some of the wonderful shares:

"When I was a child, I used to think that tornadoes were called 'tomatoes.' I asked my mom what we would do if a big tomato came through our house and she was so confused." -Verity E.

“I remember that I always win at checkers everyday! Yay!” From: Rose Emily Coller

“I remember losing at checkers to my 5 year-old daughter!” From: Dad

“I was sad when I got a new car. I misd the blue car.” From: Rose

“I remember winding up my red bell music box and placing it on my wooden window sill because it played louder there. It was summertime but my bedtime was still 7 PM so it was still light out. I would rest my head on the window sill while “Silent Night” plated from my bell and stare longingly at the younger kids who were still outside playing down below.”  <3 mle

“I remember arguing with my best friend as a child- if this is right and this is left, what happens when you turn around? We didn’t agree.” –Linda W.

“This will be the memory- wandering in here unplanned and seeing the beautiful creativity. And thanks for the memory of a great trip to Ireland!” 

“The clouds rolling in, wind howling, and creatures stirring all around as I wait for the rain storm to come in during a backpacking trip on Mt. Garfield in the White Mountains.” –Liz

“Oh yeah, I remember when I was eating stir fry and the ceiling collapsed and maggots fell into my plate of rice! Nice!” –LS

“On my paper route, most people didn’t tip very well.” –Anonymous

“I remember the day I did not receive a wedding proposal.” –Anonymous

“I remember my mom making egg drop soup when I was sick. Mom’s rule!”

“I remember looking at the memories of others + writing an X= in front of the quadratic formula.” –Adam S.

“Sometimes if I’m lucky I remember that everything is perfect all the time.”

“Sometimes, when I am lucky, I remember that even though everything is not perfect, it is still very good.”

“I remember swimming naked in the moonlight with my girlfriend at Eagles Lake in Wisconsin. The Northern Lights were shining.”

“A+W Rootbeer car hops when servers attached trays to car windows. Small frosted glass mugs.”

“Music has memories.” –Cindy P.

“My first kiss. Bing Theater in Springfield.”

“Thanks for brining me back to my Botto Days of living in The Village and drifting into galleries- it’s nice 2 know that the girl’s still in there.”

“Seeing and being at this show reminds me of participating in Art shows with my mother, and motivates me to get back in to painting.”

“I remember feeling stuck in the routine, and wanting to be impulsive so we put on our bathing suites & drove to the Connecticut River w/ Matt Karlin & jumped in the cold water while the rain fell from the dark sky. It was beautiful.” Caitie D.

“P.S. We felt alive!” Caitie D.

“I remember peeing my pants in second grade at recess and sitting in a puddle to cover it up.”

“The black bird is our favorite although the challenger memory is pretty amazing!” Molly + Roger

“Holding my grandfather’s soft hands.” Areth T.

“In kindergarten, since I didn’t like the spelling of my name, I changed it and spelled it phoenetically instead. Lesu looked better to me than Lisa. Then my teacher scolded me.”


I remember that

will solve the roots of a quadratic equation.

We Would Love Your Help!

The process of creating this exhibit has been introspective and inviting. Over the past few weeks we have been working tirelessly on our trees. 

Trees you ask? Why would there be trees in an art show? The purpose of the trees has been to represent our growth as artists over the past year. Each tree has our memories, values, or quotes that we have collected over the span of our lives. We invite you to take a memory from each tree with you. 

We had a preview of the show this past Sunday. At the preview, people were surprised to take a tangible object away with them. I was asked questions like, "This is free?" and "Are you sure?" We are sure. We want you to walk away with our memories. Please take. 

Now, there is something that the guests can participate in as well. We want to hear about your memories. While the gallery is open, there will be a large piece of butcher-block paper hanging near the entrance of the gallery. Please write a memory that you are comfortable leaving. Please don't leave a memory that will leave you exposed or worried of others being able to read it. We would like your first name and last initial. Below is an example of a memory that I am happy to share:

"When I was 15 I dyed my hair blonde without professional help. I looked like a skunk." -Sarah M. 

At the end of the show we will posting the memories we have collected right here on the blog. If you are unable to make it to the show, feel free to email sarmoh82@yahoo.com with your memories. We will begin posting them as soon as we receive them. We look forward to connecting and sharing together as a community this Saturday, December 11th at Eastworks. Eastworks is located in Easthampton at 116 Pleasant Street. We are in room 137. 

Best,
Sarah

Gallery Reception

This weekend is our reception! We are so very excited to see friends, family, old faces, and new faces to come together to celebrate art. "Inward and Upward- A study on memory and growth" has had great publicity. We really enjoy networking and being a part of the Easthampton Art Walk. Looking forward to seeing you all there. 

Saturday, December 11, 2010

5-8 PM

Eastworks, Room, 137, Easthampton, MA 01027

Feel free to email sarahmohajery@yahoo.com if you need directions or have questions.

We made it to the Valley

So we have worked with great effort to make it into all of the local newspapers. We are very excited about adding the Valley Advocate to the list.

Valley Advocate Plug

The Berkshire Gazette!

Event Listing in the Berkshire Eagle

Please check us out! :)

Group Debuts on Craigslist

Allison, Sarah, Greg, and Leslie have worked tirelessly to promote their gallery debut at Eastworks. Their exhibit titled "Inward and Upward: A study on memory and growth" has been in the "works" for several months now. Each person has taken initiative to contact local news resources. Sarah stated, "A majority of the media that we are contacting are paperless. It is our intent to utilize as many green resources as possible to inform our communities about this amazing project." You can check them out at:

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/vnn/2040007159.html

Easthampton Art Walk

Please come and help us celebrate our opening with Easthampton's Art Walk. 

December 11, 2010 from 5-8PM

Read more about Art Walk directly from their site:

Looking for something fun? Come to Art Walk Easthampton on the "Second Saturday" of the month from 5-8 pm. Locations all over Easthampton host free visual, music and performance art events in an energetic sampling of local, regional and national talent. Just look for large, yellow Art Walk banners outside each participating venue.

There's lots of free parking all over town and many locations are in easy walking distance of others. So grab a friend and come explore Easthampton's best galleries, shops, restaurants, pubs and music venues during the Art Walk.

http://www.ArtWalkEasthampton.org/exhibit_info.php?Eid=1115

Press Release Designed by Allison Biggs and Written by Mike Murphy. Collaborative Photography by Sarah Mohajery and Allison Biggs.

The Venue

Photograph Taken By The Daily Hampshire Gazette (Photographer Unknown)

Eastworks is committed to fostering the growth of an interconnected community by offering affordable space in a context that is friendly and secure, with a variety of support and service elements that benefit the operation of tenants’ day-to-day business. You can view their site at: 

http://eastworks.com/

Shubie's Marketplace Providing Refreshments

Shubie's Marketplace will be providing refreshments (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) for the Gallery Opening December 11, 2010 from 5-8 PM at Eastworks in Easthampton, Massachusetts. 

Shubies is located at 16 Atlantic Avenue in Marblehead, Massachusetts. They specialize in wine, cheese, and prepared foods. You can follow them at http://shubiescorksandforks.blogspot.com/

Press Release Created By Mike Murphy

 ‘Inward and Upward’ to Debut in December

A local arts group displays its study on memory and growth. 

EASTHAMPTON, October 18th, 2010:  A group of local artists in an effort to promote individual artistic rebirth will be displaying their work in Easthampton during the month of December. The exhibit, which is titled “Inward And Upward: A Study on Memory and Growth,” will include such mediums as photography, mixed media, drawing and painting.

The four participants -- Greg Konkol, Allison Biggs, Sarah Mohajery, and Leslie Stasko -- met over a year ago with the goal of greater artistic output and progress in mind. "The purpose of the group was to seek other creative individuals to share ideas, discuss roadblocks, and encourage all creative endeavors,” said Greg Konkol. “Each member dedicated time to their creativity, allowing it to grow and transform. The show is to recognize and acknowledge our creative selves through memory and growth."

Beginning December 5th, the group will be displaying their art in Eastworks at 116 Pleasant Street on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. An Artist Reception and Gallery Opening will be held on Saturday, December 11 from 5 to 8 pm, during which catered food and wine will be served.  The exhibit closes on December 19^th.

Postcard Designed and Created by Allison Biggs

Sarah Mohajery

Sarah grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She was an active student member of Amnesty International and organized several benefit concerts to raise awareness on Human Rights. One of the concerts headlined Anti-flag with donations from Rusted Rood and Blink 182. She worked closely with Ka Hsaw Wa (EarthRights International Co-Founder and Co-Director) while he spoke on human rights violations in Burma while visiting in the Pittsburgh area.  

Sarah was accepted at Chatham College and received her BA in Psychology and English Literature. She minored in theater and performed in over nine shows while at Chatham. Her most notable performances were as Estragon in "Waiting for Godot," M'Lynn Eaton in "Steel Magnolias," and Old Major in "Animal Farm." Sarah made her directorial debut with Lawrence Ferlinghetti' s “Ten Thousand Red Ants.”

Sarah obtained her studio minor and was then accepted into Springfield College's Clinical Art Therapy Program. She received her MS in December of 2007. She was a research fellow and graduate fellow for the Art Therapy Department. While working as a research fellow, Sarah corresponded with art therapists and published, “Examining Children’s Artwork for Commonalities and Differences through Victor Lowenfeld’s Artistic Developmental Stages and Beyond” in the International Networking Journal for Art Therapists (2007).

Sarah began working with the Carson Center for Development where she supported clients with diverse backgrounds in the Springfield Area. She became a registered art therapist and she continues to work individually with a small caseload and facilitates a woman's trauma group. Sarah was offered a position with Clean Slate in West Springfield where she is currently supporting clients with opioid dependence.

Sarah is very active in the community. She collaborated with Artistic Abilities and donated her photography to the 5th Annual Fundraiser for Best Buddies. She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the New England Art Therapy Association. She  donates to the National MS Society, Foodbank, and May Institute. Sarah was awarded the Gertrude Stein Award by the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) for her bold artistic achievements.  

Sarah collects Muppet action figures, enjoys hosting dinner parties for friends, seeing live music, and international travel. She has photographed many countries including South Africa, Ireland, Dubai, Iran, Switzerland, Germany, and Costa Rica. Spending quality time with her cat Cubby is one of her favorite past-times. Sarah is grateful to be involved with this art group and hopes to continue to grow.

Leslie Stasko

Greg Konkol

Greg Konkol was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was here he discovered his creative side and a passion for community service. He was very active in various clubs and organizations throughout high school. It was here by chance that he was encouraged to take an introductory art class. After this first year, he won an award to display his artwork in a gallery for a month with select other classmates. Through the process of creation, a passion for creativity grew. In his senior year, his art portfolio of various self-portraits had won a silver scholastic art award and moved on to compete for a gold award in New York City.

In pursuit of his creative passion, he chose to enroll at Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio. He moved to Ohio and began an intense study of art and design foundation courses his freshman year, incorporating all fields of art. It was his sophomore year; he chose to pursue a fine arts background. Through out his creative endeavors, he was always inspired by nature. He began to paint, draw and print make with themes of nature. Printmaking became the main medium for communicating and expressing nature. The process and steps involved to create a print created a love/hate relationship to the creation process which only excelled the creative passion. In March of 2007, he created and installed his senior exhibition. Prints of various techniques, size and shape were displayed. Nature in abstract form with emphasis to texture were key points to his artwork and exhibition.

It was during his time at Columbus College of Art and Design, where he continued his community service. He had become a leader in the peer group advisors, promoting educational decision making on topics such as sex, alcohol and drugs. The group promoted safe alternative events to participate in as well as provided individual peer counseling from topics dealing with school to depression. The desire to help others with his passion for art, lead Greg to pursue a career in Art Therapy.

He got accepted to Springfield College and moved to Springfield, Massachusetts in 2007 to start graduate school. During graduate school, he was able to extend his community service through being an AmeriCorps member. He did one year of service working as an intern with Health Care for the Homeless. Through this internship, he got a chance to experience the need of the homeless and was able to create art therapy groups in various shelters throughout Western Massachusetts. The second year of AmeriCorps service, he was placed as an art therapist and case manager at Brightside for Families and Children. It was here he was able to assist children with various mental/behavior issues and see the power of art therapy working with children from less then better backgrounds. His art therapy research showed his passion for the community when he and another art therapist did research on the use of art therapy in substance abuse treatment with the homeless population. Much experience and much passion came from the research process.

Through out the time in Springfield, Greg has made a commitment to give back and participate in the community. After the experience working with the homeless, his passion increased. He continues to help the homeless by being an active participant in Project Homeless Connect, a organizer for The Stories We Carry and still runs a bi-monthly art therapy group at a substance abuse house for previous homeless individuals. Since moving to Springfield, he has started to pursue another passionate area: Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. He is a three year active participant and a two year committee member for Relay for Life of Greater Springfield. Starting this year, 2010/2011, he is the online coordinator for a new event: Bark for Life. Bark for Life will be held on April 16th, 2011 and will recognize the care giving value of dogs to those with cancer and cancer survivors.

Through the giving back and participating in community, Greg also made a decision to pursue his creative goals and redefine his creativity. Since moving to Springfield, his art had taken a step back and almost any excuse was a good excuse not to create. He wanted to change this and pursued the interest of other artists to encourage all creative endeavors. Through posts online, he was able to establish a group of other artists to explore, discuss, overcome, weep and triumph artistic possibility with.

Though he is not certain in what the future may bring, Greg will continue to pursue his creative passions and his ability to give back to the community.

Allison Biggs

Allison Biggs is a product of Springfield, MA. She received her Bachelors Degree in Communications with a concentration in Graphic Design along with a minor in Fine Art from Fitchburg State University, in Fitchburg, MA in 2003.

She began her career as a graphic designer as a full time intern with FirstLight Communication and Design in Feeding Hills, MA. Afterwards, Allison went on to design for companies such as Turley Publications and MassMutual.

In May of 2007, Allison began her own business, Allison Biggs Graphic Design (www.amdesignworks.com), in which she specializes creating branding and print design for local small business owners and entrepreneurs. In the fall of 2008, she became an adjunct professor at Westfield State University, sharing her graphic design knowledge and skill with undergraduate students.

Allison currently serves as the Communications Chairperson for the Women Business Owner Alliance of the Pioneer Valley. She has been an active member of the organization for three years, and in 2007 was named "Outstanding New Member." She was also a participating member of Business Networking International for three straight years.

As an active person, Allison is involved in many events and organizations in the community, such as the Northampton Area Young Professionals, the Do What You Love Group, and the Relay for Life. In her free time, she loves to do anything that engages her creativity- art, design, photography, cooking, reading, music, film, hiking- well, you get the idea.

http://www.amdesignworks.com/

www.amdesignworks.com