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FREE Two Tales of A City: Saving an Architectural Gem Emerging Young Artist Award ~ Sunday Morning Game Night Art Therapy as a Treatment Tool ~ May Submissions

May 2020

Issue

Breanna Trent

Serving Up Art, Music, and Culture for the Metro Area’s Enjoyment 1 GessoMagazine.com Gesso Magazine

Inside Page

May 2020

Editor’s Word – May 2020 Straight Up Magazine is now Gesso Magazine and it is here with its 58th edition ‘Serving Up Art, Music and Culture for the Metro Area’s Enjoyment’.

The St. Louis Metro deserves its own arts and entertainment magazine.

And here it is. It’s called Gesso!!!

We are so very pleased to have Breanna Nicole Trent (AKA Bre Knickless) as our featured cover artist. She is a multi-media artist from Bonne Terre, Missouri. She has displayed in many art galleries and a handful of Plein Air events. Her subjects and many styles, like this cover image, often have a whimsical flair.

In March, we proudly sponsored and curated another Governor French Gallery exhibition, Jacque Davis's "Dreaming in Color", which, technically, ran through April 10th. Technically, because right after the March 13th Artist Opening Reception, the world shut down. And, though the exhibition is still hanging, it can only be seen from the sidewalk windows as the Gallery - and the Governor French Academy - is quarantined until further notice.

The Governor French Gallery is located at 219 W Main Street in beautiful Downtown Belleville, IL. Walk or drive by and see the amazing textile artwork of Jacque Davis.

Gesso sponsored "Pizza, Pencils & Pints" A Social Drawing Event was Corona cancelled on the third Tuesday of the month. This regularly occurring event at Bennie's Pizza Pub on Main Street in Belleville is co-sponsor by Belleville Screen Print Company and would normally provide pencils and pens and crayons and markets and drawing paper - tons of art supplies - free of charge as a delectable addition to the family friendly environment that is Bennie's.

Diners would draw, converse and share their artworks at this refreshing alternative dining experience. This, too, is postponed indefinitely. In the meantime, feel free to draw at home and post images of your artwork on our Facebook alternative: Pizza, Pencils, and Pints - COVID 19 Edition. And be reminded that Bennie's is open for curbside pickup. Let's eat Bennie's Pizza by calling 618-4116-0019. 124 East Main Street, Belleville IL. We thank our writers for their poignant features and all those who contribute to this project. We appreciate all of those individuals who have submitted their works for publication. And “Likes” to all you followers on Facebook!!!

We are grateful to you, the reader, for picking up this latest issue of Gesso Magazine – issue #58 in the Str8 Up Magazine legacy!!!

Like Straight Up before it, the mission of Gesso Magazine is to support local arts and artists and the businesses and organizations that support local arts and artists. We invite you to contact us with ideas, comments, information, etc. that might assist us in our mission to serve you, the residents of the St. Louis Metro area.

WE WANT YOU! - All you artistic and creative types out there! You should contact us. Show us your work. Tell us of your craft and brief personal/ artistic history. Submit any art form that you’d like. Perhaps, you can be one of our next published contributors or even a featured cover artist.

Check out the Submissions Pages to see who’s featured this month. Next month, that could be you!!

Enjoy Gesso! Tell your friends. Send us your work. And visit our website at GessoMagazine.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook daily for new and additional events and content. For the time being, you will not see Gesso Magazine at hundreds of area distribution locations! And we will not see you at the clubs, theatres, galleries, and festivals all over the St. Louis Metro Area. We will be online only till the brave new world returns.

P.O. Box 412 Belleville, IL 62222 * (314) 266-9199 Editor@GessoMagazine.com

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May Credits

Staff

Editors: Jake Bishop, Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Layout Design Artists: Jake Bishop, Dylan Seibert, Mark Polege Sales: Thomas W. Allred Sr., Jake Bishop, Jake Choate, Dakota Kramer, Michelle McGee, Jennifer Lynn Reida, William Schmitz, Paul Seibert, Dylan Seibert Ad Artists: Jake Bishop, Mark Polege, Dylan Seibert, Wil Sullivan Calendar: Dylan Seibert, Paul Seibert Website Design & Up-Keep: Mark Polege (MarkusDesignWorks.com), Jake Bishop Photography: Mark Polege (PhotographyofMarkPolege.com)

Contributors

Cover Artist: Breanna Trent Cover Logo: Jake Bishop Comics: Jake Bishop, Henry Collins Game Page: Dank By Design Fun Page: Jake Bishop Photography: Courtesy of: Belleville Historical Society (p.4-5), Susan Norsigian (p.8-9) Submissions: Leroy Binks, Breanna Trent

All material in this publication and its affiiated on-line content are copyrighted to the individual contributors or Gesso Magazine, LLC and may not be reproduced without written consent. We are very grateful to those who have submitted material to be considered for publication. However, the opinions and views of those contributing content to Gesso do not necessarily reflect those of Gesso Magazine.

The Gesso Movement Relies on Your Support!!

We are committed to supporting local artists, musicians, & businesses and providing this printed material FREE to readers month after month!!

We invite you to reach out to us!!

Together we can discover how we can best help you, your band, your business or organization, etc. and how you can best help us in our continuing mission.

Hit us up on Facebook or Instagram or via GessoMagazine.com Editor@GessoMagazine.com

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Table of Contents

May 2020

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Two Tales of A City: Saving an Architectural Gem

by Jennifer Ferguson / Belleville Historical Society

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Friends of Gesso Membership Program

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May Comics

by Jake Bishop / Henry Collins

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Sunday Morning Game Night from Dank By Design

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May Fun Page

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2020 Emerging Young Artist Award

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Using Art Therapy as a Treatment Tool for Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma

by Susan Norsigian, LCPC

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May Submissions

featuring: Leroy Binks, Breanna Trent

June 13th

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May 2020 Two Tales of A City Saving an Architectural Gem

BellevilleHistoricalSociety.org

Tale One: Old Hotel Belleville / Meredith Home

by Belleville Historical Society Editor’s Note: Over time, project costs to build a park soared as compared to the initial estimate. The family decided it was a project they no longer wanted to pursue.

Tale Two: City of Belleville Sells Property Formerly Known as Hotel Belleville/Meredith Home

by Jennifer Ferguson City of Belleville Public Relations & Communications Specialist

In the 1920’s, Belleville civic leaders identified the need for a modern hotel in their city to draw businessmen and conventions to town. The Belleville Chamber of Commerce spearheaded the construction of the Hotel Belleville to meet this need.

During the early years of the Great Depression, local leaders raised tens of thousands of dollars for a down payment to finance the $400,000 facility. The Art Decostyled hotel opened in 1931 on the previous site of the Belleville House Hotel.

In 1962, the Belleville Diocese of the Catholic Church converted the hotel into a retirement facility called the Meredith Home and owned it until 2010, when it was purchased by the city of Belleville. In 2011, a resident paid off the city’s mortgage with the understanding that the building would be demolished and replaced by a park or plaza to honor the memory of his daughter.

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Belleville, Ill. – April 24, 2020 – The City of Belleville today announced that it has closed on the sale of the property at 16 S. Illinois St., the former site of Hotel Belleville and later, the Meredith Home to the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) and St. Louis-based Bywater Development Group.

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May 2020 “This has been a long process and we’re looking very Belleville community which has worked diligently to save this forward to progressing on this project as it is huge for important historic landmark.”

Belleville,” said Mayor Mark Eckert.

Despite the Great Depression, the building which was The City of Belleville acquired the property in originally Hotel Belleville opened in 1931, spearheaded 2010 after the Diocese of Belleville closed the by the Belleville Chamber of Commerce to provide Meredith Home, a retirement facility that it operated modern accommodations for businessmen and travelers. since 1962. In 2016, SWIDA along with Bywater The architecture boasts a strong Art-Deco style, highlighted Development submitted a proposal for Lofts by the geometrical patterns created by brick and terra on the Square, a senior living development cotta. The hotel’s architect was Walter P. Manske, of the St. with 47 independent living units open to senior Louis firm of Manske and Bartling. citizens who meet income restrictions.

Construction on the renovation of the building is slated to In 2017, the property was listed on the National begin in the next few weeks.

Register of Historic Places, and in 2018, the project To learn more: www.Belleville.net was awarded federal tax credits by the Illinois

Housing Development Authority in the amount of about $7.5 million. Then in 2019, the project was awarded State Historic Tax Credits in the amount of $2.1 million. The developers said the renovation would not be possible without the tax credits.

“It’s incredible to see that a building that was once slated for demolition will be back on the tax roll,” said Eckert. “This is a big win for Belleville. This project will invest nearly $14 million into our downtown.”

Lofts on the Square could bring as many as 60 new residents to downtown Belleville, generating an estimated $30,000 of property taxes annually. Eligible residents include those who are 55 and older and who earn less than 60 percent of the area’s median income. The senior apartments will be on the second through sixth floors and the first floor will be open as commercial space.

“This project will create about 150 construction jobs for more than a year’s time,” said Eckert. “This will create a strong economic boost for the region.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased about the closing of the financing and commencement of rehabilitation of Lofts on the Square,” said Jim Nations, chairman of the board of SWIDA. “This day has been a long time coming. Our team has worked hard to finalize a difficult financing, but we would not be here today but for the amazing and patient support of Mayor Eckert, the City Council, City Development staff—and the

Old Belleville Hotel: https://youtu.be/usQmXhvqjzg

Images & artist bio courtesy Belleville Historical Society: Artist Cari Casper-Bassler Presently a member of the Art Department at Belleville West High School, Cari Casper-Bassler is a Graphic Design and Photography teacher. She believes that it is imperative for her to continue working and thinking. Since the artist’s mind is never at rest, always thinking of things to do, create or improve; she finds it beneficial to surround herself with creative students who provide her with daily artistic challenges.

She has participated in many exhibitions including The Schmidt Art Exhibition, Fontbonne Graduate Exhibition where she received Second Place for Best of Show, and the Belleville West Fine Arts Festival. She is also owner and operator of Casper-Bassler Photography.

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Comics

May 2020

Find the right prose for your project.

by JW

by Henry Collins

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May 2020

FUN PAGE Word Search: RENAISSANCE ART

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-B ELLINI -BOSCH -BOTTICELLI -BRUNELLESCHI -CARAVAGGIO -DA VINCI -DONATELLO -FOUQUET -GHIBERTI -GIOTTO -MANTEGNA -MASACCIO -MESSINA -MICHELANGELO -RAPHAEL -TINTORETTO -UCCELLO -VAN EYCK -VASARI -VERONESE

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May 2020 Using Art Therapy As A Treatment Tool For Anxiety, Stress and Trauma

by Susan Norsigian, LCPC Art making can be a valuable tool for helping clients get through stress and trauma. But first a little practical information that might help as many of us are “stuck” at home with family 24/7. Because stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma are different for each individual, the first thing to remember (this goes for everyone, professional, family member or friend) is to accept, acknowledge and validate a person’s feelings. Anxiety often has little, no, or distorted logic to it, best illustrated in one extreme form of anxiety, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) One person’s stress can be another’s walk in the park. So please avoid telling someone “You shouldn’t feel that way.”

Giving your loved ones space and putting aside your need to be right or convince another of how right you are (even though you may be right!) is the best way to keep the peace.

You can ask yourself “How important is this in the big scheme of things? What’s important now during this pandemic?” I suggest walking, running, journaling, singing, dancing, artwork or puzzles to engage in when you become frustrated. OK, enough preaching!

When working with trauma victims I find art making can be a helpful “bridge” to eventually talking about the trauma. I often ask clients to make some kind of representation of their feelings, and this can be through abstract colors and shapes, or representational. One example of this is a boy who witnessed his mother being abused by his father. He was more agreeable to drawing a picture about the incident than verbalizing. After doing this, he was able to discuss his emotions around the abuse, his conflicted feelings and his fears about either being hurt himself or his mother being hurt again. It was also important for this boy to see something positive about his father, 8

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who he loved. I asked him to make a drawing of himself and his father and discussed with him that adults at times make mistakes and bad choices, to help him hold the dichotomy of his father being mean sometimes and being loving sometimes.

Often trauma victims have nightmares or flashbacks that are violent. One of my clients made a drawing of her nightmare, and in looking at it and talking about the elements in the dream, she was able to relate the dream to her past abuse and current fears. It may seem that discussing trauma would make it worse, and it does usually cause emotional responses. The role of the therapist when the client becomes distressed is to assist him or her in coming back to “homeostasis” and feeling calm again. This can be done by drawing or painting a positive picture, focusing on the client’s strengths, using positive self-talk, challenging distorted thoughts, or other similar means to help the client feel safe.

( “Big Heart”, 36h x 36w, Acrylic on Canvas, by Susan Norsigian )

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May 2020

The subject matter is important, but the act of drawing or painting, indeed any creative activity such as play or music or dance, is an avenue for “getting it out” through symbolism or direct reference.

Beneficial for all ages, this is especially helpful for children who don’t have the intellectual reasoning and verbal skills to discuss complex things. Play is often useful for children to express their fears. It’s important to allow the children to express negative thoughts and feelings during play or drawing/painting, and try to calmly discuss what’s going on and how to change behavior.

I wish all of you good mental and physical health during this difficult time.

Susan Norsigian is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in private practice in the StL Metro area.

She can be reached at 618-223-4502 or snorsigian@gmail.com. www.norsigiancounseling.com

One last example of the use of art in therapy is making a “Time Line.” For adults who have lived through many ups and downs, this is a good way to take a look at the “big picture” to get a perspective on life and see their strengths as well as their challenges.

Sometimes we forget how strong we really are, and we allow a current setback to send us spiraling downward. A time line can also allow a person to recognize patterns in their behavior, and try to change the problematic ones.

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Introducing:

The Friends of Gesso membership program * Donate any amount to become a member * Donate $10 or more and receive a Gesso sticker as a thank you gift * Donate $100 or more and receive a Gesso sticker and a T-shirt as a thank you gift All Members will be thanked in print in the next issue (unless they wish to remain anonymous) All members who provide a valid email address will periodically receive invitations to access special bonus content on GessoMagazine.com, as well as other perks!

(No email addresses will be sold to any third party EVER) Gesso Magazine reaches THOUSANDS of people on both sides of the river & serves the local art & music scene by continuing to make this publication available to the public free of charge.

This community project relies on the support of the community it serves. Help us keep LOCAL art and music ALIVE.

May 2020

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

To become a member, send us an email at Membership@GessoMagazine.com Or send us a message on Facebook Or cut out this form and mail it to: Gesso Magazine P.O. Box 412 Belleville, IL 62222 Your name, or that of your business, band, group, or organization: Email (optional): Donation amount: Would you like to have your name excluded from print in the next issue?: (those who do not answer will have their name included) GessoMagazine.com

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May 2020

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May 2020

Attention Gesso Readers: We are seeking to continue highlighting in our digital magazine, on our website, and on social media those local artists, bands, musicians, performers, and businesses that are continuing to do their thing during this Corona Shutdown time period.

Please help us in that mission by sharing with us any such examples that you are aware of either via email at: editor@GessoMagazine.com or via our Facebook Page Thank you so much and please stay up with us via social media and GessoMagazine.com GessoMagazine.com

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May 2020

2020 Gesso Magazine Emerging Young Artist Award Madelynn Kohn is the winner of the 2020 Gesso Magazine Emerging Young Artist Award. Madelynn was among dozens of art students from high schools across the 12th Congressional District of Illinois to exhibit and compete for prizes at the annual High School Student Show and Congressional Art Competition sponsored

by Illinois Congressman Mike Bost and the Schmidt Art Center at Southwestern Illinois College Belleville (IL).

Her acrylic painting “Soul Eater Sun and Moon� was

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May 2020 selected by the Editorial Staff of Gesso Magazine as the exemplary work to receive this Gesso Award.

The award was to be presented at the Opening Reception of the exhibition, Thursday March 19, in front of a packed house of friends, family and art enthusiasts from across the region. Due to the Covid-19 Social Distancing orders, the opening was cancelled. The exhibit was mounted at the gallery to be on display and open to the public through April 16.

The exhibition was quarantined and remained behind closed doors.

Madelynn is a graduating Senior at Valmeyer (IL) High School where she has studied art under the tutelage of Jodi Venhaus. She plans to include art in her studies this fall at Saint Louis Community College - Meramec.

Madelynn states: “Art and anime have always been a coping device throughout my life. The series Soul Eater has always been one of my favorites for its animation style. Atsushi Ōkubo, the creator of Soul Eater, has always been an idol to me, and his show inspired this piece because I love the sun and moon in his show.” (https://souleater.fandom.com/wiki/ Atsushi_%C5%8Ckubo)

Congratulations, Madelynn. Like the sun and the moon, Gesso thinks your future looks very bright! #BeYourArt Madelynn can be reached at:

maddiekohn01@gmail.com GessoMagazine.com

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During the Corona Shutdown, You are invited to Join the Pizza, Pencils, & Pints Social Drawing Event Facebook Group and participate every day at: www.facebook.com/groups/518322762218025/

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@blvscreenprint 618.277.9600

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May 2020

Attention Gesso Readers: We are seeking to continue highlighting in our digital magazine, on our website, and on social media those local artists, bands, musicians, performers, and businesses that are continuing to do their thing during this Corona Shutdown time period.

Please help us in that mission by sharing with us any such examples that you are aware of either via email at: editor@GessoMagazine.com or via our Facebook Page Thank you so much and please stay up with us via social media and GessoMagazine.com GessoMagazine.com

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Submissions

May 2020

Breanna Trent Breanna Nicole Trent is a multi media artist from Bonne Terre, Missouri.

She had joined the Ste. Genevieve Art Guild back in 2018. From then on, she has been in many art galleries and a handful of Plein Airs. She covers subjects and many styles, most with a whimsical flair. Her works range from pen, watercolor, and to acrylic. Â Facebook.com/BreTrentArt

( A Chance Meeting )

( A Million Thoughts )

( Storm Upon the Lake ) 22

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( The Tiger Sleeps Today (Gracie) ) ( Unknown Woman in Pen )

(My Fish in Starlight ) GessoMagazine.com

( Drunken Mermaid )

Submissions

May 2020

Leroy Binks Leroy Binks is an artist and designer having worked in a number of creative fields, including landscape design, graphic design, and product design, before obtaining his BFA, with honors, from The Illinois Institute of Art in 2016. He cofounded Stray Cat Studios that same year, where he is currently producing indie video games and other mutli-artist projects. His personal art made its gallery debut in Alton, Il this past fall.

“My digital abstracts are comprised of a series of stock photo elements focused around a central theme, often involving the dualities of the subject. These are digitally twisted and pulled like taffy, then pushed to extreme saturation and finally layered together in a beautiful abstract distortion.”

To see more of his work, check out his Portfolio – LeroyBinks.com

( A Geisha in Wolf’s Clothing )

( Dauntless and Sagacious )

( Deathmask )

( Tiger Tiger )

( The Witches Cauldron ) GessoMagazine.com

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Governor French Gallery Exhibition Dreaming in Color Textile Arts by Jacque Davis

Opening Reception: Friday, March 13, 5-8pm Due to the Covid quarantine, the Gallery is closed.

This exhibit is continued indefinitely.

"You can't come in, but... you can see the exhibit through the windows."

Sponsored and Curated by Gesso Magazine Governor French Gallery 219 West Main Street Belleville IL 62221