Normally a call for artists means something different. Normally it’s an invitation to enter a show or exhibit. Needless to say, these are not normal times.
Hurricane Katrina has disrupted and dispersed our art community. Many artists fled and have yet to return. Others, returning to find their homes, businesses and studios devastated, have sought shelter with family or friends elsewhere. Those remaining here are caught up, like so many others, in the day-to-day struggle to survive.
Trying to locate the 200-plus members of The Arts, Hancock County is almost impossible since Hurricane Katrina devastated our small Mississippi coastal county. In a community like ours, we were used to picking up the phone to call someone or simply stopping by their studio to deliver a message. If we needed to reach all our members, we could always email a message. It’s not so easy anymore.
One might ask why it’s so important to locate area artists when there are still so many other pressing needs. The answer is simple. Funding is available, on a national level and state level, to assist artists and art businesses in need. We need to locate our artists and document their needs as quickly as possible to take advantage of any emergency funds available.
We sent an email to all members with the hope that those artists who have taken shelter elsewhere will receive it and respond. The email asks: Where are you? How are you? Describe the extent of your losses. What are your immediate needs and your long term needs? How can you be reached? And are you planning on coming home to Hancock County?
Our local newspaper, the Sea Coast Echo, helped by publishing an article entitled “Calling all artists”. Flyers were also distributed to try and reach local artists. We asked the same questions. We slowly began to get results. As we receive new addresses and phone numbers Kathy Holland, our membership chair, has updated our roster of artists. Still, we have only been able to contact about 60 percent of our members. This is a tedious and ongoing project.
If anyone reading this is one of our displaced artists, please know that you are missed. We want to hear from you. You can reach me at 228-263-6530.
Shopping, sort of
EMAIL THIS
TRACKBACKS
Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do no appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/454638/3761615
advertisement
Local well known artist, Kat Fitzpatrick, has produced "Images of Katrina" that depict the soul and spirit of what is occuring to our beloved communities from Waveland to Long Beach and beyond. They have been printed on note cards (pack of 15)and sell for $25.00 a set. A portion of the proceeds will go to Gulf Coast Artists. They will absolutely take your breath away. If anyone is interested in purchasing a set or sets, you can email me at mombigk@aol.com and if you live on the Gulf Coast, you can purchase them at the Funky Rose, Main St. Bay St. Louis. I am selling them here in Virginia for her, and can take orders through my email address.
Scotty Jonte, Charlottesville, VA. (formerly of Waveland) (Sent Nov 30, 2005 10:15:05 AM)
My house burned to the ground in 2003, we were just starting to rebuild when the storm knocked us back down to our knees, 15 feet of water in our neighborhood (Bayou Portage in the Pass). I love art but am not that creative but since the fire and flood I have recovered some unique things. It seems that extreme heat and hours under water can work some strange transformations. Everything that was in some form that I could recognize (and other things you had to let your mind wonder)I have collected and as I clean the muck off it becomes a "work of art". I am certain that this is a reminder of what can be salvaged when we think there is nothing left to work with.
mary, pass christian (Sent Nov 30, 2005 10:54:32 PM)
please help me get in contact with my old friend, kat fitzpatrick. I thought I found an email for her and it came back. I used to live in Long Beach but moved in 2002. I have tried her phone and even called Coast Episcopal School but have not been able to get in touch. Thanks, in advance, for your assistance!
Fern Singer
R.R.1 Box 443
East Lynn WV 25512
email: fern.singer@gmail.com
phone: (304) 849-3913
Fern Singer, East Lynn, WV (Sent Oct 6, 2006 11:10:30 AM)
SEND A COMMENT
PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.