Photo Credit: Midjourney AI
It is great to be connecting with you again!
This summer we are ready to be social We’ve survived the long, cold
spring and are ready to get outside and get offline We want to be IRL (in real life) with our families, friends and our new friends who we haven't met yet We want to find more ways to support local businesses and our community We want to dig deep into the concept of being social, not just skim the surface
Right now in the world of social, there's a myth that everything related to social needs to be online. Keeping social media social means that we intentionally and routinely get offline and then bring those moments, relationships and memories back online.
You’ll find ideas and inspiration to get offline on page 12, where we highlight some of our community’s favorite apps to use to help them get outside. Then, you’ll learn some stepby-step photo tips to capture your memories on page 14 Finally, on page 26, we’ll help you intentionally celebrate your memories online with a step-by-step Instagram Reel tutorial
This summer let’s explore the word social, and turn it inside and out Let’s challenge ourselves to go deeper, past any preconceived definitions of the word Let’s dream of a world where the word social is not polluted by politicians, monetized by the greedy or exploited by ego Let’s keep social real Let’s keep social kind Let’s keep social social
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and are able to get offline together
"Spending quality time on the water with family "
- Maxwell B, Georgia
“Laughs and quality time at Tahoe with my friends!”
“Cafecito dates, leisure strolls in la plaza and slow living under the sun ”
- Adriana A, Nevada
“Even if my mental health isn’t in a poor state, I still dedicate a lot of my summer to be offline to focus on mental and physical health
(as I am currently working on art as we speak ) For me as a student, this is my opportunity to reset The summer flies by quickly so I set goals for how to get offline in May. When I’m online all day, I feel as though my thoughts aren’t centered and grounded or 100% my own, and I turn into a working robot. During the summer I make an effort to read all the books I’ve purchased throughout the year, start projects I’ve been thinking about, go on walks, finally see the people I’ve said I missed all year and so on Although when I’m online I’m often alone, it doesn’t feel like it Being offline allows me to actually be alone and be comfortable with it, and let time pass slowly ”
- Eva R, Colorado
“Wildflower hikes and dog walks in the park!”
- Bren M, Colorado
"My friends I've been working on being more present and intentional in my relationships. Spending time with friends is so much richer and more rewarding when I'm not constantly on my phone."
- Rick D, Colorado
“A concert at Red Rocks ”
- Amanda M, Colorado
“Outdoor fire pit conversations with friends and s ’ mores with my kids and husband! Spending time stand-up paddle-boarding and picnicking with friends at the park I love summer! ”
- Sarah S, Colorado
“A post-rose nap in the sun. ”
- Derek M, New York
“Time with friends. ”
- Larry G II, Colorado
- Eva R, Colorado
“Birdwatching! And enjoying nature The real version can’t compete with the digital version because there are smells and sounds with it ”
- Linda M, Wisconsin
“Repairing estranged relationships ”
- Emma M, Colorado
- Ciara C, Nevada
©McLernon LLC 2023 The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in whole or part without consent of the copyright owner For permission to reproduce any article in this publication, or if you'd like to be a part of the next issue, contact elayna@mclernonandco com
Cover Photography: Larry
Amanda McLernon Founder & CEO Publisher
Elayna Hixon Editor-In-Chief Photographer
Adriana Anderson Contributing Writer
emma marlow Contributing Writer & Designer
Larry george ii Contributing Writer & Designer Photographer
eva Reish Contributing Writer
jb bissell Contributing Editor
helen thompson Contributing Designer
THE LANDSCAPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS IS REMINISCENT OF THE WEATHER; ALWAYS EVER CHANGING. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST RECENT UPDATES AND HOW
While shopping on the Amazon app, you might notice that there is a i icon at the bottom of your screen When you click on it you can scroll through Creators' storefront videos like you would on TikTok or Instagram Reels Business owners or marketers who are selling on Amazon should prioritize their Amazon social Creator/Influencer relationships "Scripting" is a new term that is popping up across Creator and marketing channels. It is the act of creating a list of details before going into content creation mode to ensure a smooth content process and strong output. Think of it like using a recipe to bake cookies! Scripting can include things like a shot list, set times, story boarding or even an actual script with content that you are going to speak about. This has helped content Creators stay organized and it makes the content creation process more efficient... and smooth!
We have been noticing that employers and employees are utilizing social media, beyond LinkedIn, to hunt for jobs and fill roles One of those ways is by posting Instagram Stories – with either party posting what they are looking for and the details of the role This has especially gained popularity with recent tech layoffs Social media makes it easy to put yourself out there and utilize your hard-earned networks If you are looking for a job, or looking to hire, consider publishing your next post on Instagram
WES ANDERSON IS BACK ON THE BIG SMALL SCREEN. HIS CINEMATIC STYLE, FORMALISM, HAS TAKEN TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM REELS BY STORM. SEARCH #WESANDERSON FOR INSPIRATION TO CREATE YOUR NEXT MASTERPIECE
by emma marlow
YOU CAN LEVERAGE THEM IN YOUR CONTENT STRATEGY
Located in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado, SereniTEA serves English high tea High tea is a beautiful experience where you get to sample unlimited teas and enjoy small sandwiches, scones and sweets
SereniTEA also offers their tea room for wedding showers, baby showers and micro weddings
Learn more and book your tea time at sereniteastearoom com
You're not alone if you ' ve ever felt guilty throwing something away and wishing that you could do something more sustainable with it
Meet The Happy Beetle! They provide the Denver area residential and commercial pickups of hard-to-recycle items that can’t go into curbside recycling bins but also don’t belong in the trash
Example items they take: baby food pouches, plastic bags, toys, shoes and much more!
Subscriptions start at $14/month. Learn more at thehappybeetle.com.
As you may have guessed by the name, this brand was started as a quarantine project, but Rick has been passionate about hot sauce for his entire life
The difference between his hot sauces and other hot sauces? His were made for food! They taste great on eggs, mac and cheese and so many more foods. He recently launched his Tot Sauce, a hot sauce suitable for kids.
Learn more and shop now at quarantineprojectsauce com
“Growing up I used to go on Sunday morning walks with my abuelo We’d go to the park, say buenos días, and chit-chat with the neighbors And then we’d stop to admire the world around us
Amongst the many things that made my abuelo special was his capacity to find beauty everywhere and to highlight the little details that make nature so amazing: the intricate pattern of a leaf, or the feel of the bark of a tree trunk
Abuelo would encourage us to notice new things Were the birds chirping more cheerfully that day? The smell of sage Or lavender New blossoms A fun game was to try to name flowers or imitate birds
Fast forward to today, I still enjoy morning walks. Without my abuelo holding my hand and whispering the answer to my endless questions, I turn to apps to learn more about something that catches my eye.
Mi abuelo was a bottomless source of knowledge. No app will ever replace his wisdom, kindness, and joy for life I am grateful for the time we spent together and for planting the curiosity seed in me ”
StorybyAdrianaAnderson Photo Credit: Elayna Hixon
“This is a bit nerdy, but Fantasy Hike encourages you to walk by taking you on the journey of Lord of the Rings as you walk! You get badges at different milestones from the book It’s PERFECT for LOTR fans and anyone who wants to make a normal walk a bit more of a magical adventure ”
- Annabelle N
“The Seek app identifies species in real time and provides cool information. It also offers rewards for identifying species or joining challenges.”
- Adriana A
“Identifica especies en tiempo real Se puede participar en concursos y ganar premios ”
- Adriana A
“My abuelo must have pointed out dozens of stars to me, but I can’t remember them I downloaded this app for a refresher. It’s a very robust tool. There’s so much to learn about stars, planets, comets, and other twinkling objects.” - Adriana A
“Excelente para aprender acerca de estrellas, cometas, planetas y más ” - Adriana A
“AllTrails offers community-sourced information of hiking and nature trails all over the world You can share reviews of hikes, bike or run trails ”
- Adriana A
“Da información acerca de senderos en todo el mundo Los usuarios comparten su opinión acerca de las condiciones de los senderos ” - Adriana A
“AllTrails is GREAT for finding places to hike for all levels of hikers ” - Annabelle N
“AllTrails helps narrow down and find fun hikes and trails based on the areas I want to explore, which is great when I'm traveling It has an engaged community of users that provide pretty up-to-date trail reports and reviews too. And it's free!”
- Powers S
Navigate to your phone’s camera settings Once you ’ re in the settings choose the highest quality format For some phones, that will be a version of RAW for others it will be the format that captures the largest file size The larger file size usually yields greater ability to edit the files Before you close the settings, make sure to turn on your grid if that is a setting
Taking advantage of the grid system can help you with composition When taking photos of people, the subject should be centered or placed on one of the lines of thirds If a subject is placed on a line, their dominant (or most forward eye) should intersect with the cross of the uppermost block
The next step is to open your camera app of choice For this example, we are working with the default camera app on the iPhone The normal photo mode allows the ability to choose between the lenses on the back of the device
Choose between the lenses here
After choosing the desired lens, the next step is to adjust the focus The iPhone allows for the user to choose the focus point by tapping the screen on the desired focal point To ensure that the focus does not change, you can tap and hold on the desired focus point to lock the focus
The next step in the process is to determine the light The iPhone allows for the user to adjust the light by tapping the screen of the desired focal point This brings up a box with a sun icon next to it By tapping and holding the sun icon, you can then slide your finger up and down to make the image brighter or darker respectively
Creators with a smartwatch or Bluetooth remote can trigger the camera when they are not holding it. A smartwatch allows you the ability to view what your camera sees. This would require the camera to be propped up or use a tool like a tripod to hold the camera steady. This allows for more interesting shots beyond the standard selfie.
Most social media platforms are prioritizing vertical content compared to the traditional horizontal format Shooting and creating vertically allows your content to take up more screen real estate on social platforms and mobile devices
Did you know that more than 80% of marketing industry experts integrate some form of AI technology into their online marketing activities? In the Spring 2023 issue of Keep Social Media Social, I wrote to you about how the rise of artificial intelligence caused a rise of concern In this issue, I’d like to discuss how artificial intelligence can be used as a tool for success
As this tool continues to be explored and developed, we must find a way to use it ethically In this article, I’ll explore specific examples of how content creators and social media professionals can make the most of AI tools. I’ll provide specific prompts and responses to help yield better results Finally, I’ll discuss the potential challenges and limitations of using AI in this industry
This particular industry is constantly changing Even since the last article, there have been several new AI tools that have gained popularity and several new laws proposed and passed about how and where AI can be used. Companies such as Samsung have even banned access to websites like Google Bard or ChatGPT on companyprovided devices
As social media creators, we can all understand the importance of keeping up with and understanding trends
I'm 5:
"Prompt Engineering Is a technical term used to describe the process for improving what you are asking the robot to do when you are interacting with the robot. The better you are at being clear and learning how the robot communicates, the better result you'll get from the robot!"
If you ’ ve taken a scroll through social media in the last few months, I’m sure you ’ ve come across several posts with tips and tricks to help creators maximize AI Even tools like Grammarly and Canva introduced AI elements to their systems in an effort to remain relevant and help their users
It is imperative that creators learn how to use these new tools and features This will not only help you stay ahead of the competition, but also help with content creation Tools like ChatGPT are excellent for generating ideas and outlines Midjourney is quickly becoming the go-to tool for image creation
A well-written prompt can save creators hours on the front end of their process, giving them that time back to actually create better and more engaging content for their audiences One specific example of this would be coming up with an initial concept and having a tool like ChatGPT generate five to 10 additional ideas in the same vein
These prompts are from KSMS Community Member Jay B Sauceda with Saltbox He used Midjourney to create May 4 Star Wars inspired photos
Another great example would be using a tool like Midjourney or Adobe Firefly to create a piece of concept art Once the creator lands on a visual concept they like – or sparks inspiration – they can use their skills to further develop or refine the artwork into an original piece
AI tools built into other suites also prove to be extremely helpful. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom have built-in features such as auto masking, detailed preset application, sky replacement and auto denoise to help creators speed up their workflows
As creators are able to increase their output, they have more time and space to improve content quality, quantity, and optimization Creators can use Canva’s bulk upload feature to create repeatable graphics en masse This allows the creator the volume and time to analyze the success of posting those types of graphics
For the prompt section of this article, we will focus on the popular AI tool, ChatGPT And for the sake of accessibility, we will only be using the free version I have used ChatGPT to help with outlines, copywriting assistance and even developing variations of ideas
I used ChatGPT to create a base outline for this article using the following prompt:
"I'm writing a magazine article that would serve as a guide to help creators use their smartphones for content creation The article should include at least 3 helpful tips and be around 400 words The target audience is social media creators in their early to mid-twenties I would like your help generating an outline for the article Ask any other additional questions to help me be successful "
I used ChatGPT to generate questions from my target audience so that I could create additional content using the following prompt:
"I am writing a blog post about motion blur I would like to start the post with a question that would gain the interest of someone who has questions about motion blur in street photography. Generate 10 questions a beginner street photographer may have about motion blur when shooting street photography "
I used ChatGPT to help craft a response to an inquiry from a potential client using the following prompt:
"I'm a photographer responding to an inquiry I no longer live in the state that the request is coming from How should I respond?"
The usefulness of tools like ChatGPT relies heavily on the correct prompt to yield useful results The prompt examples I’ve provided are detailed and interactive with the tool Unlike a simple search, I provide background and context to help the tool assist me
When creating outlines and guides, asking the tool to "ask any other additional questions" creates a conversational tone with the tool This conversation helps establish a clear path to the desired result
Although using AI tools can be helpful, there are limitations to using the tool for social media creation. Three of these challenges include privacy and data security, algorithmic bias and misinformation
Privacy and data security continue to be concerning challenges as AI makes its way into mainstream use AI algorithms and large language models analyze an incredible amount of data to learn and create personalized content, ads and recommendations The main concern here is how data is collected, stored and used Many worry about the security of their data and how it's being used
Algorithms play a huge role in determining the content that users see on social media. But algorithms learn from user behavior to produce more of what users interact with. These practices can introduce biases and create harmful echo chambers that limit a user ' s exposure to diverse viewpoints
Finally, most AI tools currently feature a disclaimer that some of the information provided may be inaccurate AI can also be used to create and spread information at scale Current deepfake technology can create highly realistic photos, videos and even audio As creators, it's our duty to use AI in an honest and ethical manner – and fact-check the results provided
The rise of artificial intelligence has opened new doors of opportunity for social media creators By harnessing the power of AI tools, content creators can maximize their success and stay ahead in this fast-paced industry As we learn to embrace and take advantage of these tools, though, we must do so carefully and ethically
Before we could use Midjourney for art, we had to download and start using Discord – a voice, video and text chat app
Once in the Midjourney Discord channel, we could start to create the art. To create, you use /imagine and then type your prompt
We were creating art for this magazine, so we decided to pay for an annual subscription to Midjourney for $288. This gives us 15 hours of creation per month at a higher speed than given to free users
Clicking on the U1, U2, U3 or U4 will pull that photo out for you to use, or to continue to tweak with additional prompts
Clicking on V1, V2, V3 or V4 will give you 4 additional options that are similar to the original
We decided to try the word robot In this prompt, but the results were not what we had pictured In our mind, so we continued to tweak our prompt
At this point we were having a hard time finding our art because new art from other users was popping up every second We used the search bar to search our username to find all of the versions of our art
Success! This was closer to what we had In mind We decided to click "V2" to get a few more versions of our favorite We chose U1 for the art In this article
People can see, react to and download your art on Midjourney This is a very public platform and none of the art you create is really " yours " Legally, you cannot copywrite AI created art or copy
Color Code:
Blue: User Input
Pink: ChatGPT Response
Q: What general advice do you have for prompt engineering and learning to work with AI for someone who considers themself a newbie?
A: For a total newbie, I want you to think of ChatGPT as a virtual assistant (VA) who can write at a college graduate level but who might not know the context of the domain that you are in, and who can't talk to you in any other way other than through this "instant message " interface How would you ask this VA to write something for you? My guideline is for you to be very clear and specific in your instructions to this VA and understand that the more detail you provide, the more you can guide the VA to the output you desire. There are many tactics that can achieve this but one way I like is known as “few-shot learning” where you give a few examples and then ask to give a response for another example.
Here's my example of few-shot learning and what you can put into your ChatGPT prompt:
“text”: I'm over the moon, I just got accepted into my dream college!
“label”: positive
“text”: I'm so frustrated, my computer crashed right before I could save my project
“label”: negative
“text”: I had a good day at work today, nothing too exciting but it was alright
“label”: neutral
“text”: The concert was fine, but the sound quality could have been better
“label”:
This should yield “neutral” as the response
Q: What resources do you recommend for learning how to be better at prompt engineering?
A: Working for Microsoft, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you to go to our "Introduction to Prompt Engineering" article (https://learn microsoft com/enus/azure/cognitiveservices/openai/concepts/prompt-engineering).
Additionally, there is a free "Prompt Engineering for Developers" course put on by DeepLearning AI and taught by Andrew Ng (a prominent Stanford professor) and Isa Fulford (a member of the technical staff at OpenAI, who created ChatGPT)
It is for developers so there will be some code, but you don't let that scare you! That's not what you ' re there for! You can still learn the techniques they use for how they do prompts and just put that into ChatGPT that you know!
Q: Do you have any specific prompts that you, or people you know use that you can share?
A: In my workflow, I tend to do a lot of distilling complex information into easier to digest messaging Here's what I like to do
Summarizing:
text = '''Copy and paste some text here'''
Please summarize the {text} above Please write the summary in a way that is clear and concise but does not lose relevant information Also write it in a way that is professional but not too formal My audience is my coworkers and I'm trying to convey a message to them
Another way to summarize if you ' re in a hurry and don't particularly care about the format:
Copy and paste some text here
TL;DR
Program Manager
Extracting information from an email (usually a person who adds me to a long thread but didn't bother summarizing – a pet peeve of mine):
email = '''Copy and paste some text here'''
From the {email} above, please tell me the most important pieces of information I need to know and what actions I need to take or if there is an answer I need to provide
For the email that Amanda sent me with the requests for this Q&A, here is ChatGPT's response:
The email is a request to feature the recipient as an expert in an upcoming article about prompt engineering in the recipient to take is to respond to the three prompt Keep Social Media Social Magazine. The recipient is asked to respond to three prompts related to prompt engineering and ChatGPT by EOD on 5/12. The most important action for you is to respond by the deadline mentioned in the email. No additional information is needed from the email.
christian Montecillo
Sr
| Azure OpenAI Customer Experience Engineering (CxE)
I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn
Creating a Reel doesn’t need to be difficult! You can make a “Summer Memories” Reel with your favorite photos from summer in just a few steps.
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Prep: 15-30 minutes
Create: 15-60 minutes depending on style
Total Time:
Approximately 30 minutes90 minutes depending on skill level & style
On your phone create a favorites list of your most memorable summer photos Let your style shine through with your selections!
On the Instagram App, use the + button to select Reel
Swipe up or use the photo + button on the app to access your photos.
Toggl to your favorites album
One-by-one add your most memorable photos in the order you want them to appear in your Reel When adding, adjust the time at the bottom to 1-2 seconds Click “Add” after each photo
Repeat step 5 until all of your desired photos are added
Add special features as you see fit We have labeled these features for you Then, press “Next”
Preview your Reel - if you want to edit, either use the features at the top or go back and “edit clips”
Once you are happy with your Reel, press the blue “Next” button to get to the final page.
You’re ready to publish! Add a caption, tag featured friends and edit your cover. Remember to use #KeepSocialMediaSocial in your caption and tag us so we can see and celebrate your online creation. Press “Share”!
Earlier this year, a new social media platform swept the internet and many young adults off their feet Were you part of this crowd? If so, you already know about the amazing Lemon8, and its exciting video and photo sharing capabilities
It’s a fresh take on social media that pushes people to be their most authentic selves, as well as create a community of people that are similarly minded. I like to think of it as a mix of Pinterest, Instagram and a personal blog Lemon8 is very much catered to lifestyle influencers and people who want to share their life online You can find categories such as fashion, beauty, food, wellness, travel and home
Lemon8 was created by the same company that owns TikTok, ByteDance, and launched in Japan in 2020 Only recently did it start picking up steam here in America In the last few months it has become all the rage among young content creators It has been downloaded by a whopping five million users and counting!
Unlike other platforms, Lemon8 does not welcome advertising, promotional content or pushing sales on your profile This app is purely about connection with real people and telling your story Along with your best snaps, it favors long captions that take an almost blog-like approach
Lemon8’s Official Creator Guide profile @captainlemon8 pushes “infodumping ” The platform says:
“
Instead of posting a picture with few words, share more about the story behind it. This can be what about it caught your attention, some tips or hacks you would like to share with the community, and much more! Let the community hear your story. If you are sharing your favorite jacket, maybe you can tell us where you bought it, how much it was, and what you think of the fit. This will help the community to get to know you more.”
So for the writers who love to journal or tell stories, this app may be for you
How can this app push you to have a #SocialSummer? Here are a handful of ideas for you
Post your favorite summertime recipes to share with your friends and family.
Create a montage of all of the places you’re visiting this summer.
Share a list of books you’re reading this summer and encourage others to recommend their favorites in the comments section.
Post about the best spots in your city to meet new people and be social offline!
This app provides endless possibilities. Whatever hobbies or interests you have, I guarantee there is a community on Lemon8 waiting to hear from you Who knows, you may find a group of likeminded people that become the friends you never knew you needed
When on the app you can search for your interests and if you come across a person who creates content you really enjoy, you can follow them and continue interacting with their content If you continue to do this you will build your own unique community and feed
I encourage you to try out this app, find your people and take it the extra mile by making a few friends! Invite people to a social summer get together or ask someone to get coffee (via Zoom or IRL). Be SOCIAL!
A new platform is the perfect opportunity to make new friends and try new things Often, when we ' ve been on a platform for 5-10 years (ahem, Facebook & Instagram) we can outgrow the viewpoints, friendships, or creators who we follow That's ok! It's normal to have evolving opinions, relationships, and interests If you decide to try Lemon8, I want to encourage you to think about hobbies you enjoyed as a child that you may have put aside What activities would spark joy this summer?
Social media is meant to be fun and playful, and the E of Entertainment can help remind us to create content that is entertaining.
How can your brand or content be entertaining while still being authentic?
What is my brand's humor style?
Have I seen anything recently that made me laugh that I can be inspired by?
Are there any pop culture things going on that I could relate to my brand In a funny way?
Remember; We do not need to be cruel or self deprecating to be fun or funny.
Meta recently introduced a subscription-based verification process that was met with mixed reviews. We've covered the FAQs so you can consider the choice for your brand and determine if the hype is worth it.
Many people have a very challenging customer service experience with Meta, and often don't know where to start if they have a problem Verification claims to help streamline the long wait times, however Meta cautions that verified users can still have long wait times
Verification requires proof of personhood with IDMe, an identity platform and often a selfie video While imposters can still create lookalike accounts, they will look less legitimate if your account is verified.
Verification Badge + Status
This gives your account the blue check mark Social Media users tend to view accounts with check marks as stand-out accounts
Fun Features!
Verification offers exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram Stories and Facebook Reels, plus 100 Stars a month on Facebook so you can show your support for other creators
Instagram and Facebook Require Separate Subscriptions
The cost does not cover both platforms, you must subscribe on each platform separately
Limited Availability
Right now, it is only available in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
You Must be 18 or Older
IDMe only reviews individuals who are 18 and older on and off Meta
Only Available For Individuals & Content Creators
Brands and companies cannot obtain a verification subscription yet.
Monthly Fee
$11.99 for web browsers
$14.99 for iOS or Android devices
Once you ’ re verified, you cannot change your username, profile photo, profile name, or date of birth
Meta and Twitter Blue have different requirements to receive the verification and the subscription costs add up quickly!
It’s more difficult to differentiate those who pay for verification versus those who are notable public figures.
“In this museum, no one is telling you what to think or feel. And getting used to that discomfort is important ” Sitting in the audience of the Bold Women Make History The Summit , hosted by History Colorado, Joyce Tsai’s words hit me hard
Joyce is the Museum Director at the Clyfford Still Museum, and after hearing her speak, I knew we had to interview her for our summer ’ s GTFO! Get to Freedom Offline article.
This museum is special for a few reasons:
It is a museum completely dedicated to one artist – that’s rare! Clyfford Still believed that this was how art was supposed to be experienced, and in his will he gave his entire collection to an American city that would build a museum just for his works of art.
Denver went hard to have this museum – it took Denver city officials two tries to get it! Former Mayor John Hickenlooper and other leaders sat down with Patricia Still, Clyfford’s second wife, to convince her that Denver was the place for Clyfford’s art
All are welcome in the Clyfford Still Museum From babies to grandparents, the combination of approachability and accessibility of this museum is truly unique.
Abstract Expressionism
Key Characteristic
Imagery
Technique Scale
Personal Expressio
All-over Composition
Movement
“These are not paintings in the usual sense; they are life and death merging in fearful union. As for me, they kindle a fire; through them I breathe again, hold a golden cord, find my own revelation.”
We sat down in the museum, in front of Joyce’s favorite painting, numbered PH-1049 1977 and pictured on our cover, to dig in deeper to these topics
Amanda: Hello Joyce, it’s great to be here with you, surrounded by these great works To start our conversation today, can you tell us a little bit about Clyfford Still and this museum?
Joyce: The Clyfford Still Museum is a really unique institution We have 93% of everything that the American abstract expressionist painter Clyfford Still ever made He decided early on in the early 1950s, that he didn't want a gallery to represent his interests And so he set the terms of who got to buy his works, and how they were shown. Over the course of his very long career, he assembled this amazing cache of paintings and works on paper
many incredible museums and cultural institutions here in Denver We are a city that, in terms of culture, is really punching above our weight, so to speak
A: What did Still believe about art?
J: Still believed in the power of the work of art to make us respond in all sorts of different ways. This is an artist who decided early on to stop giving his works titles It was a pretty radical move And he did that because he wanted to make sure that each individual would be free to respond to his paintings and bring their own perspectives to bear on their experience of the work He wasn’t interested in some sort of preconceived notion of what you ' re supposed to get out of the work
A: Can you tell us more about Still’s background?
A: Why was Denver chosen for this museum, and why is this such an honor?
J: We have this collection in Denver, not because Still had any sort of relationship with Denver, but because Denver really went after this collection –twice! This was something that then Mayor Hickenlooper was very committed to, as well as a number of cultural leaders
Civic leaders and philanthropists felt strongly that this collection could really transform our community And it's significant that Still decided to will his entire collection, not to an art museum, and not to a gallery, or even an individual. Still willed these works to an American city that would care for them, and trusted that it would find ways for them to have a profound impact
We belong to a community that sees the importance of culture and that our community deserves beauty That is not a small thing. This is why we have so
J: Still was born in North Dakota He grew up in the southwestern plains of Canada on a farm, and he didn't come from an art family He pursued his interest in art at the Washington State College (now Washington State University) and trained in fine arts He became a painting professor, and then later was the head of painting in the San Francisco Art Institute.
A: What about this time period inspired the deeper introspection about what it means to make art?
J: Still made art during the Great Depression and at a time of major ecological catastrophes Artists asked who their art was for Still belonged to a generation of artists who would form the core of the abstract expressionists; they were really trying to forge their own path. Instead of looking to Europe to lend them legitimacy or give them a ready-made language or allegories that would lend some sort of depth to their work, Still was one of the most radical by dispensing with titles for his work
A: And that radicalism really helped establish him Then what happened?
J: Still’s reputation was really established in the 1940s and 1950s, when he spent time in the Bay Area and New York City The Modern Museum of Art in New York was knocking on his door and there were major collectors and galleries that sought his attention You could say he was at the height of his power He was then represented by Betty Parsons, who was an incredibly important woman in helping establish abstract expressionism as a thing in the art world.
A: And then, when he was at the height of his success and abstract expressionism was becoming mainstream, he took a big step back Why?
J: He decided to step away for a variety of different reasons; he didn't want his paintings to be simply commodities that you invested in. Still was trying to come up with a different system of values for his art.
Still wanted to show his paintings in a manner that treated them as a cohesive project Still wanted his paintings to be shown together in the same room And he didn't do that just for himself When his work was shown at MoMA as part of the groundbreaking 15 Americans exhibition, other artists, including Pollock and Rotko, benefited from his insistence.
A: Still also believed that art was for all people – and in today’s world, we might phrase that as making art and other cultural experiences accessible to all Why does this personally matter to you?
J: I'm an immigrant I came to the United States when I was seven I didn't speak a lick of English American culture was very foreign to me. I grew up in St. Louis, where art museums were free and beautiful and amazing and super exciting But, just because something is free, doesn't mean that it is accessible As a child, these didn't feel like they were made for me I was lucky enough to be trained in these places and to have had mentors who worked very hard to make the kind of unspoken rules of a space clear
With this experience, I became really committed to the idea of making cultural spaces accessible to all and especially to the students I taught as a professor at flagship public universities For us to feel welcome in a space, it helps to have somebody clearly lay out the practices and habits of these spaces.
A: Tell me more about how you take a museum like this, which you have described as a “jewel box,” and make it accessible to all?
J: Accessibility is about making people feel comfortable to come in right off the street But we have to acknowledge that abstract art is not something that everybody's going to feel comfortable around We have worked hard to make this museum a much less intimidating place for adults and children For example, if you bring your child into the space, we get on their eye level, and we offer them a sticker And the sticker is an “Art Protector'' shield, and we ask them to join us in becoming art protectors We’re taking care of the collection and we are clearly sharing the rules of the space in a friendly, accessible way.
“As before, the pictures are to be without titles of any kind. I want no allusions to interfere with or assist the spectator.
Before them I want him to be on his own, and if he finds in them an imagery unkind or unpleasant or evil, let him look to the state of his own soul.”
- Clyfford Still
A: One of the things that blew me away was how kid friendly your museum is – from the benches to the programming Why is this a focus for you all?
something very powerful about gathering in real life as a community And this shared community space allows us to slow down
J: We love having kids in the museum space There’s a specific painting here that kids love, and when a kid gets up in front of that painting, they throw their arms up in the air. This is a painting that is enormous; it is big enough so that when you stand in front of it, you ' re going to be responding to what the artist is doing
Children can teach us to be open to experiences that we ’ ve forgotten
A: This museum encourages us to slow down and get offline, intentionally. Why does that matter?
J: We're living in the golden age of apps and the internet I don't want to discount that, but there is
There are so few spaces we can come together, get grounded in a shared reality, and partake in joy together Art, especially abstract art, allows us to learn to be with one another in new ways and find new forms of togetherness. It can even challenge us to recognize that we can disagree
A: We agree, that is the incredible power of intentionally getting offline Joyce, thank you so much for everything you and the team are doing in our Denver community
J: Thank you for having us. We invite the entire Keep Social Media Social community to come experience the museum
June 18 – Messy Art Making Part 1 –
Clay Time!
June 21 – Messy Art Making Part 1 – Clay
Time!
June 24 – Messy Art Making Part 1 –
Clay Time!
July 26 – Messy Art Making Part 2 – BIG, BIG Paintings
July 29 – Messy Art Making Part 2 – BIG, BIG Paintings
August 20 – Messy Art Making Part 3 –
Printmaking
August 23 – Messy Art Making Part 3 –
Printmaking
August 26 – Messy Art Making Part 3 –
Printmaking
Curtis Park
2401 Welton Street
10AM - 2PM (Saturdays)
June 17, 18, 24
July 8, 15, 22, 29
August 5, 12, 19, 26
September 9, 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14
Asked to name the characteristics of the ideal summer marketplace, Beverly Grant replies with the "Three Fs'': food, folks, and fun And it's those exact elements she was hoping to bring to life when she launched Mo'Betta Green in 2010
Located in Denver's Park Hill neighborhood, Mo'Betta Green is a farmer's market focused on establishing a sustainable food model that fights food access and health disparities within the North East Denver Food Desert (NEFD) A food desert is an area with limited fresh food outlets, and Grant's mission is for Mo'Betta Green – powered by the Three Fs – to not only help cultivate greater access to fresh food and food education for those living in the NEFD, but also be a catalyst for small business development within the community
But the Three Fs aren't the only thing inspiring Grant's mission In 2018, her son, Reese Grant Cobb, tragically lost his life in an incident of violence
“For every horrible act that occurs, there is good that can emerge thereafter, and the good has to be our foundation to move us forward,” Grant said
With this in mind, Grant celebrates the memory of her son through Mo'Betta Green's impact on the community She also launched "Random Gestures of Compassion Day" to honor his legacy and inspire others to perform the random acts of kindness for which Reese was so well known Starting in 2022, Denver Mayor Michael B Hancock even declared July 7 Random Gestures of Kindness Day in the city, and Governor Jared Polis is currently working to have it become a nationally recognized day
2700 Arapahoe Street
12PM-4PM (2nd and 4th Sundays)
July 9, 23
August 6, 20
September 10, 24
October 8
Bring your park gear!
Thursday, July 20
Curtis Park | 4:44PM - 9PM
Food Trucks
Live Music
Meet Youth Organizations
Family Friendly - All Welcome
Denver, Colorado
Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18
24th and Welton | 10AM - 5PM
Local Live Bands
Fashion Show
Community Painting
Food and Drinks
Family Friendly - All Welcome!
You can perform a random act of compassion by Intentionally reaching out to someone yoU know (or don't know!) and saying something nice.
The Surgeon General of the United States recently announced that we are in a loneliness epidemic. He argues that this is a public health crisis.
Qué ironía In the age of social media we are more lonely than ever
Unlimited access to thousands of people through social media leads us to believe that we have lots of amigos We can see what they are doing, what they are wearing, who they are with However, how well do we really know these people? We admire their picture perfect sunset on a dreamy beach But their Instagramable life does not reflect what they feel, what’s really going on with them, or how fulfilled they are
makes it hard to create these ties The ability to post and edit what we say, to “be on brand”, to alter our voice, face, body, to pose, to give a quick “like”, are hurdles to create strong relationships. Real relationships are complex, demand time, attention, authenticity and vulnerability. We hide behind filters online to protect us from showing our true self
It’s only human to have a need for connection and community Social connection is beneficial for individual health It also improves the resilience of our communities Evidence shows that increased connection can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and depression Communities where residents are more connected with one another fare better on several measures of population health, community safety, community resilience when natural disasters strike, prosperity, and civic engagement
Social media gives the illusion that we are never alone, that someone is always listening and that we can control our time and attention ¿Será cierto? To be honest, after a session of dumb scrolling, I feel lonely, empty and regretful for wasting my time.
I am not rejecting social media. It’s here to stay, and used con moderación is a valuable tool that can enhance our lives. This is a call to use it with restraint and to go back to basics and face to face convers
This summer I am spending a few days in my hometown I am looking forward to cozy chats with mi gente My plan to be fully present, enjoy an intimate discussion and engage with the word around me is:
No phone zone: Turn off and put my phone away while I am sipping cafecito with friends Notifications are distracting I will keep 100% of my focus on my conversations
Life is here and now It’s what I am doing in this very moment, who I am with, what’s going on in my surroundings Not the pasta dish that my “amigo” is posting
Be myself: Face to face conversations do not need filters I am who I am, express myself the way I do in real life accent, hand gestures, body language, Spanglish and all
Adriana Anderson has been a KSMS community member since 2016. She is a social media strategist and Hispanic communications specialist helping organizations forge powerful relationships – online and offline – with the Hispanic/Latino audience Say Hola! Adriana is on LinkedIn @Adriana Anderson and Instagram @adrianahanderson
Floral infused "cocktail cubes" from Flouwer Co. help elevate any occasion – including your sparkling water! We recommend 3-5 cubes.
Socializing does not always require spirits. Here are a few options for Nonalcoholic bevies and mixers that will keep you sipping all summer long.Sweet Rose Petal Sparkling Botanical Beverage Orange Blossom
Whittard Tea from the UK
You can use reusable tea strainers and compostable tea bags to steep loose leaf tea
Boulder Dushanabe Teahouse has dozens of tea options!
Tea can be a morning, afternoon or evening beverage depending on the caffeine level.
Black Tea – Morning
Green Tea – Morning
White Tea - Morning or Afternoon
Herbal Tea – Morning, Afternoon or Evening
@Whittardofchelsea1886
@boulderteahouse
@sereniteastearoom
You can look for decaf tea when browsing!
SereniTEA Made in CO
Musicians and artists across the globe are feeling compelled to step away from social media and get back into the physical world Here are a few songs that have lyrics that remind us to love life by getting offline
Your old iPod still works! Grab your fav pair of headphones, get outside, and GTFO!
CALMA - PEDRO CAPÓ
"Vamos pa ' la playa, pa ' curarte el alma, Cierra la pantalla, abre la Medalla."
CASA EN ÁRBOL - SALOMÓN BEDA
"No estamos vivos solo activos, No disponible sino perdido, Estamos atados a la pantalla, Mira pa ' arriba."
APARATO - ALEJANDRO Y MARIA LUNA
"Desconéctate del aparato (Busco algo más) Y conéctate conmigo un rato (Que me vuelva a enamorar) "
BLUE SKY MIND - TREVOR HALL
"Mother standing right next to me, showing me what I need to see. "
SPACESHIPS ON I-285 - DAILY BREAD
"I'm changing course, we are going for a walk "
:
are a great way to be social in your neighborhood this summer.
Whether you want to start your own or support someone else's visit littlefreelibrary.org to get started.
Keep an eye out for these upcoming holidays to inspire your CONTENT CREATION!
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
1st: Global Day of Parents
1st: National Say Something Nice Day
2nd: National Donut Day
4th: National Cancer Survivors Day
5th: World Environment Day
6th: D-Day
8th: National Best Friends Day
8th: World Oceans Day
11th: National Making Life Beautiful Day
14th: National Flag Day
14th: Army Birthday
JULY
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Plastic Free July
1st: International Joke Day
1st: National Financial Freedom Day
2nd: National Made in the USA Day
3rd: International Plastic Bag Free Day
4th: Start The Conversation Day
4th: Independence Day
7th: International Peace and Love Day
7th: National Day of Rock ‘ n ’ Roll Day
9th: Fashion Day
16th: Wear Blue Day
18th: Father’s Day
19th: Juneteenth
21st: National Selfie Day
21st: Go Skateboarding Day
23rd: International Women in Engineering Day
24th: Upcycling Day
29th: National Camera Day
30th: Social Media Day
30th: National OOTD Day
10th: Global Energy Independance Day
10th: National Piña Colada Day
National Black Business Month World Cancer Support Month
1st: Colorado Day
1st: Start Up Day Across America
4th: Founder’s Day
4th: International Beer Day
6th: National Sisters Day
6th: Hiroshima Day
8th: International Cat Day
10th: National Spoil Your Dog Day
10th: Vlogging Day
11th: Mountain Day
12th: Garage Sale Day
15th: National Relaxation Day
11th: National 7-Eleven Day
11th: National Swimming Pool Day
12th: Amazon Prime Day
12th: Malala Day
23rd: National Parents’ Day
24th: International Self Care Day
25th: National Hire a Veteran Day
26th: National Disability
Independence Day
27th: National Love is Kind Day
17th: National Nonprofit Day
18th: Never Give Up Day
18th: World Breast Cancer
Research Day
19th: National Photography Day
19th: Humanitarian Day
21st: Internet Self-Care Day
23rd: Find Your Inner Nerd Day
24th: Kobe Bryant's Day
26th: National Dog Day
29th: National Sports Day
31st: Eat Outside Day
