Sunday, December 14, 2008

It is Official

After months of waiting it is official, I received a grant to do beadwork from the Mn State Arts Board. First of all I was honored that they thought I was worthy, second I was thrilled that they would choose a beader! My project for the grant is to make 4 more beaded headdresses. Each one will be my interpretation of the four elements, air, earth, fire, water. I have one year to complete this project.

The other part of my project is to shine more light on beadwork as art. We have all seen beadwork that has taken our breath away. Why would that not be considered art? If you have any ideas on how I might accomplish this task, I am all ears.

Then because I like posts with photos, this is a peek at what I have been working on that has kept me away from finishing my monthly pages on time. This week is the deadline. After the holidays I will be beading away on my BJP, can't wait, I am tired of all those yellow beads!

11 comments:

Dulcey said...

Congratulations on the grant! I am so pleased for you - both for you and the world of beading, like you said!

As far showing beadwork as art, would there be a way to do a gallery showing somewhere that you would jury? That's my only thought right now - and if you were to do that, you'd have to start now for space and artists. Print publishing (an article in an art mag) would be the same thing, time would not be your friend.

Would there be an electronic way to fulfill that part of the grant? Do something with MNartists.org? A blog? An e-newsletter?

Brenda said...

Great ideas, Dulcey.

I hope to just set things in motion by the end of 2009, I want them to see some progress when I write my wrap-up at the end of the year.

Dulcey said...

I'm really looking forward to seeing the art you make, and what you decide to do....

Jacqui said...

Congratulations on your grant. It sounds like its going to be exciting year.

As for shine on beads, how about the Beaded Journal project.

beadbabe49 said...

Wonderful news...and I think the bead journal project would be a great educational tool.

Brenda said...

Thanks for your comments, of course the BJP will be used!

Denise said...

Wow!!! Congratulations! What an honour. I bet your mind is whirling with whimmsy!
Cheers, Denise

Marty S said...

Congratulations on your grant! I hope you will share the completed headdresses with us.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

KV said...

Gosh, I am so late in catching up with your wonderful news, Brenda. If anyone can do this superbly, I know it will be you!

A belated Happy New Year -- may it bring everything you wish for . . .


Kathy V in NM

Robin said...

Wowzer... I'm certainly behind on your news... yikes... it's mid-January already!

Congratulations!!!!! What a pleasure it will be for you to make those headdresses and for us to see them. I love the theme for them!!!

The second part of your project will be quite a challenge. We all know beadwork can be and often is ART... but how to shine light on it? I think you're smart to ask for ideas from others... why not post the question on all three BJP blogs and see what you get? You may get a glimmer that sends you into a doable idea.

Your yellow bead piece is soooooooooo you! You have a knack for sewing lines of same color beads in a way that makes a creative and dynamic pattern, subtle and yet distinct! Can't wait to see it all.

Timaree said...

Well very belated congratulations!! I'm not sure just what a grant is all about but it sounds like you have your work cut out for you. To bring beads into the mainstream world of art is a good thing though - it's definitely past time. I don't have any suggestions for you as I'm not sure what you mean about shining the light on beading but I sure wish you the best of luck.