April, 2020 Newsletter

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I hope this newsletter finds you healthy and well. Its probably impossible to send a newsletter right now that doesn't include something to do with Covid-19 and its impacts. As an artist living in the uncertainty of Covid-19 I can say I am lucky. I have a full-time job that is continuing to pay me during this time of quarantine. I don't have the same worries as so many others who have lost their job or are furloughed waiting to go back to work, all the while, living on less income than they had budgeted for. In many regards, this makes me even luckier because this time has become something akin to a month-long paid residency for me. The time I once spent at work I can spend in the studio thinking up new things as well as finishing current projects. But a huge part of what makes me not worry is that behind me is a gallery with a group of artists that I deeply admire. I see all of them making new work and I can't help but be inspired (and slightly intimidated) by them. I have been represented by the Abigail Ogilvy Gallery for two and half years and still can't help but get excited to tell people about the gallery and the amazing women who run it. With their help, I was accepted for a solo show in March/April 2021 and I didn't even know they had applied. I can't express enough how lucky I am to be working with Abigail Ogilvy Gallery. Not all artist have people behind them who promote their work and actively support them. During this uncertain time, if you are a lucky one I would like to encourage you to think about the artist community that relies heavily on supporting one another. Whether it be a gallery that supports its own artist, other artist through shows, or artists that support each other. Purchasing art through a gallery supports the gallery as well as the artist and purchasing art from an artist gives them money for living expenses and supplies to make new art. It doesn't have to be an expensive purchase to make a huge impact. Some ways to support the arts are: Abigail Ogilvy Gallery has put together a list of art by its artists that is under $1000 (Here). MassArt Auction massartauction.org/bid Artists have been posting work on Instagram that they have for sale. Inquire with an artist about a commission. Just reach out and let artists know how much you love their work. Participate/initiate art swaps Purchasing/renewing Memberships with non-profits.* Donating to a non-profit* Museum memberships* And as things reopen and resume operations most importantly take time to see art, go to that local performance, or anything thing else that shows support to the art community. Should you chose to purchase any of my work this year, know that a large portion of the proceeds will be passed along to support my fellow artist or art organization, through the ways listed above. *Reminder a portion of donations to non-profits is tax deductible MassArt Auction In spite of quarantine and all things Covid-19 taking center stage I am happy to be share that one of my Boston Athenaeum pigment prints is in the MassArt Auction. I am especially happy to be helping support an art school and future artists. More information about the auction can be found HERE. You can preview and bid on all auction artwork starting Friday, April 10th at 12:00pm EST through Saturday, April 25th at 9:30pm EST via massartauction.org/bid. A final update on A Seat at the Table While the physical exhibition has come to a close the Edward M. Kennedy has launched a website that documents the entirety of the A Seat at the Table exhibition. This of course includes my "seat" that recognizes the accomplishments of Senator Barbara Mikulski. So if you want to see more of what this project is about or to see how you can become involved through designing your own seat that embodies one of the goals of this project go to https://bringyourownchair.org/   Looking Toward the Future Boston Athenaeum Project Update Volume II of the An Archive of Time, A Life Lived in the Boston Athenaeum is coming together with bound copies this Fall. While I am behind my originally planned release, I don't regret giving this project sufficient time and making sure it is absolutely perfect. I am excited to be including a new essay in Volume II written by an acquaintance with a background in bookbinding, writing, and with connections to the Boston Athenaeum. Even more exciting is the prospect of limited run of offset print copies of Volume I! Yes, indeed. I will release more information as it becomes available. I suspect Covid-19 will slow down this process some but I have high hopes for copies to be available come Fall. Additionally, I have taken the card project off hold and am looking forward to having a set of tarot-sized cards being printed. (They will not be tarot cards just that size) Solo Show in March/April 2021 at Acton Memorial Library Featuring photos from Boston Athenaeum Series.   Copyright © 2019 Kristina McComb, All rights reserved. Receive this email in error or want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.