About the Exhibit.

 Do you ever sit in your studio and wonder while you work about what you could do to effectively reverse climate change?

We do what we can when we recycle our paper and reduce our use of plastic. We do what we can when we commit to using sustainable packaging of our art when we ship to a buyer. But we often feel the inner urge to do more. But what? Take heart, dear Creative, we have a small solution that could have a BIG impact on our future as a planet.

No matter what medium we work in, we sometimes are drawn to the small sculptural beings known as Spirit Dolls. Since the dawn of history, humans have been drawn to small spirit figures that dance, protect, and charm. Most ancient dolls found in tombs were very simple creations, often made from such materials as clay, rags, wood, or bone. The manner in which these 'spirit dolls' were placed leads anthropologists to believe that they were cherished possessions. 

You are cordially invited to submit one art doll of your own design and creation to the upcoming juried exhibition.

 

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SUBMIT ONE ART DOLL OF YOUR OWN DESIGN AND CREATION TO THE UPCOMING JURIED EXHIBITION

THIS GROUNDBREAKING JURIED VIRTUAL

EXHIBITION WILL SPOTLIGHT ART DOLLS REPRESENTING EARTH, AIR, WATER, AND FIRE.

Artists who submit images of the art doll figures can choose the elemental category to celebrate. The dolls will be for sale in our online Elemental Spirit Doll gallery from November 18th to December 16th, 2022 with a portion of the sale (40%) going to FRIENDS OF THE EARTH. This organization's Climate and Energy Team envisions energy systems that are ecologically balanced, centered on community self-determination, and that recognize and address systemic inequality.

By joining this exhibit you can feel your art becoming a catalyst for conversations about personal responsibility when it comes to finding solutions to climate change. Imagine your art challenging and encouraging viewers and buyers to consider their own reactions and response to the climate change crisis.

 

Who we are.

We're Lyn Belisle, Ann Leach, and Waldinei (Wally) Lafaiete, artists who are each involved in community betterment through volunteer work and professional service. And we're each eager to expand the voice of art as a means of healing at home, in our country, and in the world. That's why we'd like you to join us in this special exhibition of symbolic elemental spirit dolls.

We believe that art heals, and we're committed to using our artistic voices in helping to heal our planet from the ravaging effects of climate change. We'd like to have your voice join with ours in taking a stand for our world and its future.

About the Juror: Helen Layfield, artist, teacher, scholar.

Deeply immersed in sewing by hand using visible hand stitching as a means of both construction and decoration, Helen's professional practice involves both two and three-dimensional pieces that overlap and weave together craft, fine art, and utilitarianism.

Helen's art incorporates her core philosophy of hand-made, adhocism, intuition, the slow movement, contemplation, and a nonjudgemental, non-achievement-led exploration of personal identity.

"I explore and develop my multi-cultural heritage through the adaptation of traditional and contemporary fiber art techniques," Helen said. "My influences include Kantha stitching and Kwandi quilting." The Yarrenyty soft sculpture artists Judith Scott, Louise Bourgeois fiber art, Tanglewood threads, and Sheila Hicks are also strong influences on her work.

Upon completing a BA in Illustrative Arts in London, Helen became a resident of Derbyshire. Initially specializing in relief printmaking on both paper and fabric she soon developed a style that was eclectic and covered a wide range of processes and techniques with a cross-country fusion aesthetic.  

After training to teach adult education in 1994 Helen began working as a community artist. She has vast and varied experience in teaching and facilitating experiential learning in Arts and Crafts in both educational and community settings.

Her doll-making classes are in high demand and introduce the student to various techniques and cultural styles.

 

 

EXHIBITION DETAILS

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY HERE!

Submissions will be accepted through the EntryThingy link only. 

A downloadable prospectus is available at the entry site.

Your work will be available for purchase through a safe and secure payment portal and we'll share a portion of the sales (40%) with the international non-profit, Friends of the Earth.