From: frank_lw so i wuz playing jenga @ the art studio when someone spilled their drink. BINGO! new house idea. must renew membership
SEE MEMBERSHIP FORM ON PAGE 3.
A View From The Top Greg Busceme, TASI Director
AHHH, THE SIGNS OF summer are upon us! The TAN Garden Party and the annual termite swarm shared The Studio May 6 in a rare two-fer of summer omens. Our A/C unit fried a capacitor the same day as the GP. Oddly, the same thing happened to the A/C last year almost to the day and it was again on the day of the GP. Weird, huh? Ultimately the Garden Party helped us cover the cost of those capacitors. Thanks to Triangle AIDS Network for the critical work you do and for letting the Art Studio be a part of TAN and the GLBT community. See you guys next year, termites and all! Our May exhibition, although not typical, was a raging success. With Space Capsule working a wild original videomontage and ambiant sound/ music, and piles of art material and walls covered in paper, the Do-It-Yourself exhibition was an opportunity to open our gallery to spontaneous acts of creativity. Pastels, crayon, charcoal, tempera — all were available for anyone coming to the show to apply media to paper and make something happen. Guests and members wasted no
ISSUE Vol. 18, No. 9 Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Art Studio, Inc. Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Coughlan Copy Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tracy Danna Contributing Writers. . . . . . . . . . . . Elena Ivanova, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Dixon, Skyler Williams Contributing Photographers . . . . . . Elena Ivanova . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skyler Williams The Art Studio, Inc. Board of Directors President Ex-Officio . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Busceme Vice-President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angela Busceme Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Roberts Treasurer/Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Gallaspy Members at large: . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheila Busceme, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth French, . . . . . . . . . . Andy Ledesma, Stephan Malick, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Butler
The Art Studio, Inc. 720 Franklin Beaumont, TX 77701 409-838-5393 www.artstudio.org artstudio@artstudio.org The ISSUE is a monthly publication of The Art Studio, Inc. Its mission is to publicize The Art Studio and its tenants, and to promote the growth of the arts in Southeast Texas. ISSUE is also charged with informing TASI members of projects, progress, achievements and setbacks in TASI’s well-being. Further, ISSUE strives to promote and distribute the writings of local authors in its “Thoughtcrime” feature. ISSUE is provided free of charge to members of TASI and is also available, free of charge, at more than 30 locations in Southeast Texas. Regular features include local artists of note and reputation who are not currently exhibiting at TASI; artists currently or soon to be exhibiting at TASI; Instructional articles for artists; news stories regarding the state of TASI’s organization; and arts news features dealing with general philosophical issues of interest to artists.
Contents Summer Geek Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 Art Skool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Alternative Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 The May Show in Pictures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Fallingwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 The Smith House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11 Around & About. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Thoughtcrime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 13
See VIEW on page 15
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS AT THE ART STUDIO JUNE
SEPTEMBER
The Alternative Show. Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 2
The Annual Tenants Show Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 1
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ART STUDIO Membership in The Art Studio, Inc., provides invitations to all exhibitions and one year of ISSUE, the monthly arts magazine of The Art Studio. It also gives free eligibility for members to enter the annual membership art exhibition (TASIMJAE) and participate in various exhibitions throughout the year.
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Cover by Andy Coughlan
time in releasing their mojo and allowing the spirit to move them. Young and old, pros and novices all labored at the walls, sweating with chalky smears of carcoal and tempera on their now grungy clothes. Before our eyes a blank wall of paper became a melange of color and thoughts. The passions and beliefs of the artists (as you all were artists at that moment) were unified by material and environment, but individualized by the unique character of each artist and their contribution to the collage — a random collective of people drawn by a common desire to speak through color and form, without words, to leave a personal message others could comprehend in their absence. I want to thank everyone who was open and willing to jump into the unfamiliar, and to those who were willing to share their knowledge with those who were willing to take it. Here’s something to consider over the summer. You may not be aware that The Art Studio is an independently run non-profit organization. It has no sus-
Renewal?
Patron: Angel: Benefactor Life Member: Artist?
$500 $1,000 $2,000 $10,000
for office use pd in comp issue thanks
If yes, list medium
The Art Studio, Inc. 720 Franklin, Beaumont 77701
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4 • ISSUE June 2012
in the geek THEY ONLY COME OUT AT NIGHT; WELL I SEE YOU’VE all managed to pull yourselves away from your phones and computers and look what you’ve done. You’ve actually picked up a living breathing publication. The printed word in all it’s glory. And now, for your efforts, I will share with you the secrets of making this an entertaining summer, at least as far as movies, music and books go. If I have to explain to you the merits of grilling outdoors, going to the beach or watching a baseball game I think you’d be better off figuring out exactly what dimension you came here from and then devising a way to get back there as soon as possible. For now, onto the movies!
Commentary by Jeff Dixon (Jeff Dixon loves movies and comic books in a way that often terrifies him. You can follow his insane ramblings on Twitter @RoiVampire if he lets you)
SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED — Let’s start off with one you probably haven’t heard of shall we? In 1997, a classified ad appeared in the back of Backwoods Home Magazine, a sort of Southern Living for farmers and ranchers. The ad appeared as follows: “Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.” The film follows two reporters investigating the man who placed the ad and possibly getting in over their heads. Apparently, hilarity will ensue. But honestly, I’m just going because Aubrey Plaza (“Parks and Recreation”) is adorable and I love time travel movies.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN — I don’t care what you say, they never made a third Spider-Man movie. They stopped at the sequel for unknown reasons. Who know’s why? Maybe Tobey Maguire had problems with the mob. Maybe Kirsten Dunst is really a secret agent working the art house beat. The point is we finally have a new Spider-Man franchise. Directed by Mark Webb (“500 Days of Summer”) and starring Andrew Garfield (“The Social Network”) and Emma Stone (“Easy A”), this is the one superhero movie no one is talking about yet. I’m excited about this, for realsies. From all the footage I’ve seen this might actually be a faithful, wisecracking, web-shooter-inventing, neverstops-talking Spider-Man. And all I can say is it’s about time. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES — Oh c’mon! Like I even have to say anything. You could at least act like you’re making an effort! If I have to sell the sequel to the second greatest comic book movie ever to you (the first is Marvel’s “The Avengers.” Deal with it DC fanboys), then I’m frankly amazed you‘re able to read this publication.
Volume 18, No. 9
of the night Volume 18, No. 9
June 2012 ISSUE • 5
HERE ARE WAYS TO KEEP THEM BUSY There, I said it. I’m glad we’re being so honest with each other. Oh, spoiler alert: have you noticed there isn’t a lot of Batman in the trailers for this Batman movie? That can’t be a good sign from a story standpoint. THE BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE by BOBBY WOMACK — This is probably my most anticipated album of the year. When Bobby Womack ruled the soul scene in the ’70s I wasn’t even a twinkle in my father’s eye. I was introduced to Womack through old LPs and I couldn’t have been happier when he was featured on the most recent Gorillaz album. But what I really wanted was a new record by the master and now it looks like it’s actually happening. In a world where we can buy movie tickets on our phones and video chat with coworkers in other countries we often forget that we all need a little soul. SMUG LIFE by DOUG BENSON — Doug Benson is without a doubt my favorite stand up comedian working today. Benson is like that really funny friend that keeps the host of the party from losing his mind. His comedy is laid back and witty, and you will undoubtedly quote his routine for days on end. Also, just a personal note, if you have the means I highly suggest seeing him live. THE IDLER WHEEL IS WISER THAN THE DRIVER OF THE SCREW, AND WHIPPING CORDS WILL SERVE YOU MORE THAN ROPES WILL EVER DO by FIONA APPLE — Let’s just get past the fact that this is the longest album title of the year and just accept that, sound unheard, it’s also the best. Fiona Apple has a nasty habit of recording damn good music. She’s got a voice almost as good as her wit and that’s saying a lot. If this effort even approaches “When the Pawn...” in quality, we’re all in for an actual real life treat. And we don’t even have to listen for the ice cream man. MOST OF MY HEROES STILL DON’T APPEAR ON NO STAMP by PUBLIC ENEMY — If I have to tell you why a new album from Public Enemy deserves your attention maybe you’re not the audience for this record, or for hip hop in general. More than any other act to come out of the 1980s hip hop scene, Public Enemy brought rap, culture and politics together in a way that no one had even consid-
ered yet. I might have to drag the old boom box out just for this one, Radio Raheem style. Never forget and always do the right thing. AVENGERS VS. X-MEN — This movie came out recently called “Marvel’s The Avengers” — you may have heard of it. You also may have heard of the X-Men, or as you might know them, “all those other weirdos that hang out with Wolverine.” Well if you liked them before, you might enjoy the fact that these two teams are slugging it out to save the world at a comic shop near you or on your smart phone. Don’t worry about the details, it will all be explained. Just concentrate on this; recently Captain America punched Wolverine! In the face! And lived to tell the tale. The point is that Capt. Steve Rogers is not to be messed with. “Son, just don’t.” SAGA — This little book from Image comics could be the sleeper hit of the summer. From Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples, “Saga” tells the story of star-crossed lovers trying to protect their newborn during an intergalactic war. Also there are robots with television sets for heads. Also there’s magic and demons. I’m also pretty sure there was a talking lizard in the second issue. This book is just plain fun and the characters are so well written I often forget they’re not even human. Don’t miss what could be one of the best comics of the modern era. Check it out on the Image Comics app available on iPhone and Droid. And that’s all I’ve got for you wonderful folks. If you need me I’ll be listening to Red Sox games on my phone and trying desperately not to throw it against a wall every time Bobby Valentine makes a bad decision. I feel like this is going to be a long season full of heartbreak for Boston and honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way. Winning is overrated. Mahalo!
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Volume 18, No. 9
Art Skool helps imagination fly
TASI summer camp offers opportunities for fun, creativity The Art Studio will host its summer Art Skool for two weeks, July 16-20 and July 23-27. Classes are 9:30 a.m. until noon and 1 to 3 p.m., with a break for lunch. The Skool is open to ages 10 and up. The cost is $200 for a full week. Classes include drawing, instructed by Sheila Busceme; printmaking, instructed by Elizabeth Fontenot and Kailee Viator; paper maché, instructed by Andy Ledesma; and ceramics and sculpture, instructed by Greg Busceme. Students should “dress for mess” and bring their own lunch. “I want to have a loosely structured class that will allow for multiple age groups to participate and to allow for maximum creativity,” Ledesma said. “The emphasis is on having fun.” Ledesma said that there will not be any dead time as there will be multiple projects on the go at any one time. Some people are meticulous and others are more free form, so we want to keep everyone happy,” he said. With everyone working on many projects at the same time, Ledesma said it helps maximize the artistic enrgy. “As we all exchange ideas and influence each other, it makes for a better creative mix,” he said. To register for the camp, call 409-838-5393. The Art Studio is located at 720 Franklin in downtown Beaumont.
The six-feet-long paper maché flying paintbrush, top, was built and painted by particiants at last year’s Art Skool. Artist Andy Ledesma, left, works on a mural in his signature style during the recent DIY art show at TASI. Ledesma will be an instructor at this summer’s Art Skool which is scheduled for two weeks, July 16-20, and July 23-27.
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Volume 18, No. 9
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June 2012 ISSUE • 9
The Writing (and the art) is on the wall
ISSUE PICTURE STORY BY ANDY COUGHLAN
DIY art experience draws more than 150 to Studio MORE THAN 150 ARTISTIC souls showed up May 5 to participate in “______,” a Do-It-Yourself art experience at The Art Studio. The idea was to offer a chance for anyone to embrace their inner child and scribble on the walls — a chance that was gleefully taken by young and old alike. Established artists worked next to children with the art merging together to form a mural that was on display for the month of May. “It was a great success and everyone had fun,” Greg Busceme, TASI director, said. “In fact, it went so well we are thinking of having a show of this type every year. The Studio has always, as part of its mission, had the goal of including as much of the community as possible in the creative process. While we are proud of our exhibitions and the quality of the work on display in our galleries, it is also really important that people get to experience the sheer joy of making art — and do it in a manner that fosters a community spirit.” The consensus among the attendees was that drawing on the walls was a lot of fun — but don’t try this at home.
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Volume 18, No. 9
Creative waters run deep
VISIT TO FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE DOESN’T DISAPPOINT MILL RUN. Pa. — AS THE WEEKEND TRIP to Pittsburg for a family wedding loomed near, I began to wonder if the strict time constraints and added expense of sightseeing were going to be worth the trouble. Booking an earlier flight, renting a car, turnpike fees — I started to lose faith that I would be rewarded for my efforts with a MasterCard-esque “priceless” moment. But, as a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, the chance to see his Fallingwater house was too good to pass up. A week prior to the trip, my partner and I had booked the latest possible time to tour the house. With our flight leaving Houston at 7 a.m., and our rental car reserved at the Pittsburg airport for noon, we knew it would be tight to make the last tour of the day at 2:30 p.m. As soon as we touched down, I grabbed the keys to a barely broken-in Ford Focus and hit the road. We made our way through “The Pitt” with ease, our eyes treated to one of the most gorgeous skylines I’ve seen. The buildings seemed to bloom into view as we exited the Fort Pitt Tunnel, our pupils readjusting to the light as the skyscrapers loomed nearer. Downtown Pittsburg is nestled between the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, both of which were glistening in the noon sun, making the bridges and buildings dance with reflected light. Eighty miles, two tunnels, and one turnpike later, we rolled through a town of old-style general stores and six-pack shacks. The contrast between the metropolitan awe of The Pitt and the vast rolling greenery of Mill Run is stark. After passing the third taxidermy business in as many miles, we saw signs pointing us in the direction of Fallingwater. We pulled into the parking lot with 20 minutes to spare and I wondered aloud, “Where the hell is the house?” We started up a trail leading into the woods, marked with a huge stone sign engraved with “Fallingwater.” After a short walk, we found the welcome center, which is constructed in an open-air, circular structure with a 360 degree
Story by Skyler Williams
view of the woods. Still wondering where the hell the house was, we followed a gravel path through green-shaded woods for a fiveminute walk until we met our tour guide. About halfway down the path, my ears caught the first indication that Fallingwater was near. Amidst the bird chirps and chatting of the other guests, the unmistakable sound — low and constant — of a waterfall emerged from the woods. As I rounded the last bend to catch my first glimpse of the house, the sounds of cascading water, wind blowing through the tall trees, and birds and people talking in their respective tongues, all combined in a harmonious manner. My senses swelled as I walked — eyes, ears, and mouth agape — toward one of the most well-known pieces of architecture ever constructed. Our small group of eight was met by Joy Miller, a lovely docent whose job — and silk-printed Frank Lloyd Wright neck scarf — filled me with envy. We made our way to the side entrance of the house. By the entrance, as if you need a reminder of where you are, a small stream of water flows in an arc from a hole in the side of the house, collecting in a small pool on the porch. The entryway leads directly into the main living area, leading one to feel as if one is stepping back in time. Designed in 1936 and finished in 1939, the house was commissioned by the affluent Kaufmann family of Pittsburg until it was donated to the Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1963. For nearly 50 years, this house museum has remained frozen in time. I walked into the living room with a sense of wonderment that must have been shared by the more than 2 million guests who had come before me. Though it is what you would refer to as “ground level,” the majority of the living room is actually suspended over the falls of Bear Run Creek as a huge concrete cantilevered tray. Large windows fill the nearly 1,800-square-foot living room with sunlight, making the high-glossed stone floor appear wet. The room has no interior walls, yet Wright managed to create distinct nooks and spaces within the living area through the use of furniture design and placement.
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Everything in the house — including the furniture, the fixtures, the fireplace — was designed by Wright specifically for this home. Next to a small library and reading nook, the iconic staircase, hanging from the floor of the living room, plunges down toward the river. The large opening in the floor can be closed off with a set of built-in, sliding glass panels, so that even when closed, the river can still be enjoyed from the comfort of the library. Our group stood at the top of the staircase, forbidden to descend, and watched the water flow beneath us. As the docent pulled a nearby door open, the sound of the waterfall filled the room. I walked out onto the terrace, grabbed the concrete wall and peered over the edge. Above the roar of the falls, I looked at my partner and asked, “Can you imagine?” He must have understood every single question those three words implied, because his answer was a simple, “I know.” Next up were the tiny bedrooms of the second and third levels. According to Miller, Wright designed the rooms and hallways of the second floor to be small so that people would not want to spend much time in them. While that seems backwards by today’s standards, Wright logically saw the bedrooms as a place for sleeping and not much else. While nowhere near as grandiose as the living room, each of the bedrooms contained the same attention to detail and design. The walls are made of the same local quarried stone that comprises the house’s huge vertical support columns.
All of the installed lighting in the rooms is indirect, giving off a peaceful glow instead of harsh light. Each room has plenty of windows, some of which can be opened and folded away, allowing the line separating nature and dwelling to blur. Every room, every stairway, every window, door, couch, table, light, planter, desk — every view of the house — is Wright’s vision. Even more astonishing is that is was all accomplished without the use of computers. From the delicate balancing act of the cantilevered levels, to the impeccable fit and finish of all the handmade, odd-shaped glass windows, it was all the product of Wright’s talent and imagination. One man in our group brought up the subject of cost. Docent Miller said the total budget rung up at $155,000, including his architect fee of $8,000. Adjusting for inflation, Fallingwater would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.8 million dollars to construct today, and Wright’s cut would be a paltry $130,000. Not satisfied with Miller’s answer, the man asked, “Yes, but what it is valued at today?” She looked at him and said, “You can’t put a value on something like this.” Before leaving, I made the short walk to the outlook point to see with my own eyes the postcard-worthy view I’d seen online. Illuminated in the late afternoon sun, I snapped a few photos. I took a quick look at the LCD screen to make sure I got the shot. “Priceless,” I thought. www.fallingwater.org
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pa., was completed in 1939. All of the furniture and fixtures were integrated into the overall design of the cantilevered building. Interior photo courtesy of Fallingwater. Exterior photos by Skyler Williams
THE HOUSE THAT SMITH BUILT “Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.” — Frank Lloyd Wright How would you like to live in a Frank Lloyd Wright house? For most of us, this is a rhetorical question. Houses designed by the famous architect are on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. Even when those that are privately owned occasionally come on the market, the price and the stipulations are prohibitive. Besides, it is a well-known fact that Wright houses are not the most comfortable to live in. Even large-size houses, like Fallingwater, have tiny bedrooms, narrow and dark hallways, and a flat roof which needs constant maintenance.
Story by Elena Ivanova
The Smith House, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was commissioned by Melvin Maxwell Smith to be his dream house. ISSUE photo by Elena Ivanova
See SMITH on page 14
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Volume 18, No. 9
Around & About If you come across any interesting exhibitions, museums or other places on your travels, share them with us. Call 409-838-5393, or contact us through our web site at www.artstudio.org. Be sure to include the location and dates of the subject, as well as any costs.
Victorian London will come to the Port Arthur stage this summer as LAMAR STATE COLLEGEPORT ARTHUR, in conjunction with PORT ARTHUR LITTLE THEATRE, stage the classic musical OLIVER! “Oliver!” will be presented July 19, 20, 21 and July 26, 27, 28 at 7:30 p.m., as well as July 22 and 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the Lamar Theater on the LSC-PA campus at 1700 Proctor Street in downtown Port Arthur. “‘Oliver!’ is a wonderful script, with a justly famous score, full of the oddball Dickensian characters that made the author’s reputation while he was living and that keep us reading him a couple of hundred years later,” director Keith Cockrell said. “Oliver!” is based on the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist,” written in 1838. This is the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth, so it is the perfect time to revive the show, Cockrell said. The play begins in a London workhouse, where orphans are worked hard and fed nothing but gruel. After a rendition of the classic “Food Glorious Food,” young Oliver plucks up the courage to ask for more. He is promptly sold into the custody of the abusive Noah Claypole, before escaping. On the streets, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger and the rest of a crew of youthful criminals in the employ of the criminal, Fagin. As Oliver finds his way in the world, he comes
across a variety of recognizable characters — some good, such as the lovely Nancy, some bad, such as the evil Bill Sikes. The musical features such classic songs as “Where is Love,” “Consider Yourself” “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” “Oom-Pah-Pah,” “I’d Do Anything,” and many others. “This is one of the most loved musicals ever,” Cockrell said. For reservations, call 409-984-6111. ______________ ACT 1 SCENE 1 THEATRE COMPANY will hold auditions for the summer children’s show, LAW AND ORDER: FAIRY TALE UNIT, directed by Amber Martin, at 6:30 p.m., June 4 and 5. Auditions will be held at First Christian Church of Port Arthur, 5856 9th Avenue. Children ages 8-15 are invited to audition. For more information, email act1scene1theatreco@gmail.com. ______________ The ART MUSEUM OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS is hosting an exhibition showcasing artwork depicting classic marine and nautical life. CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MARINE ART: 15TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS
RECENT ART STUDIO NEW OR RENEWING MEMBERS Tamara Ferreira Lopes Ruth Schipper
through June 17. The exhibition will highlight America’s long history with the sea through 111 paintings and nine three-dimensional works by national and international contemporary marine artists who join together to celebrate the rich heritage of marine inspired art. This marine art exhibit presents work not just limited to ships on an ocean, but depicts a vast array of water scenes including breezy seashores, stark lighthouses, rocky coasts, a still pond, water mammals, fish and dozens of other water related subjects, animals and habitats in a variety of different media. Every few years, ASMA holds a national juried exhibition of its members’ works and this year marks the society’s 15th National Exhibition. For more information, visit www.amset.org or call 409-832-3432.
BAL unveils new hours, summer schedule THE BEAUMONT ART LEAGUE has changed its hours to better serve the arts community. Beginning in May 16, the league is open 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday.. “Our hope with the new summer hours is that participation and attendance numbers will increase at the League,” Sarah Hamilton, BAL
director, said. “We want everyone to be able to take advantage of the dynamic shows and lively events that happen here.” The league is planning an array of entertaining summer events beginning in June with a visit from William Jameson — a renowned landscape painter who resides in Saluda, N.C., Hamilton said. Jameson visited BAL in 2007 and is back again to teach an oil painting workshop, June 14 through June 16. The deadline for registration is June 1 and the cost of the three day workshop is $325.00. To learn more about this artist and the workshop visit www.williamjameson.com. In conjunction with the workshop, a selection of paintings by the artist will be on view for a limited time in the Brown Gallery from June 13 through June 16. He will also perform a painting demonstration and brief lecture on his work at BAL’s General Membership Meeting scheduled from 6-9 p.m., June 15. The remaining summer months will be filled with stimulating exhibitions of work in a variety of media, Hamilton said. The Beaumont Camera Club will fill the Brown and Scurlock Galleries with a photography
exhibition, July 5-27. The opening reception is set for July 7 from 7-9 p.m. In August, the galleries will contain the 3D & Figure Exhibitions, chaired by local sculptor Beau Dumesnil. “This is a highly popular annual exhibition at the League and if you are an artist, this is an inexpensive and professional opportunity to showcase your work,” Hamilton said. The show will be on view in the galleries Aug. 11-25, with an opening reception Aug. 11, 7-9 p.m. Exhibition entries will be accepted Aug. 3, 4, 8, 9 during BAL’s business hours. A prospectus will be posted on the league’s Web site and Facebook page. Local photographer Lief Wallace, who won first place at the league’s membership exhibition in 2011, will present a solo show in September. His work will be hung in the Brown Gallery Sept. 5 through 26. An opening reception is scheduled for Sept. 8, 7-9 p.m. The Beaumont Art League is located at 2675 Gulf St. near the old fairgrounds. For information, visit www.beaumontartleague.com or facebook/ beaumontartleague, or call 409-833-4179.
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Volume 18, No. 9
Thoughtcrime Submission Guidelines and Disclaimer ISSUE solicits and publishes the work of local authors. Poetry, short fiction, scholarly works and opinion pieces may be submitted for review. All works must be typed or submitted on a disk (using approved word processing software), or may be sent to TASI by e-mail. All works are subject for review by our editor, and may be rejected or edited on the basis of grammar, spelling or content. The opinions expressed in “Thoughtcrime” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TASI, its Board of Directors, ISSUE’s editorial staff, or donors to TASI.
before you and i get in a conversation
See the World and Make it Yours
Send typed works to: ISSUE 720 Franklin, Beaumont, TX 77701 or e-mail: artstudio@artstudio.org Authors must submit a daytime telephone number along with all submissions. Pen names are acceptable, but authors must supply real names for verification. All submitted works become property of TASI, and whether rejected or accepted, are not returned to the author. ISSUE does not notify of rejection by mail or telephone.
The Seduction of Sameness
about what's right why don't you and i get in a conversation about what's real we believe in the unattainable I reach for the unbelievable you cease I hold
Inside to hide what you can hide You can hide only what you see What you see is never what it seems It seems to me you won't believe Believe the soul that you can be
On to the beauty Sink into the hope
We are captured by the
You strive to hold it all inside
Be the air that you can breathe Breathe in life that you can see See the world and make it yours
Straight line. Do tomorrow what you did today. Captured by the narrow mind Getting in our way. We equate consistency with decency. Platitudes with gratitude. And the smiles on their faces With a sense that all is right. The sameness paints a portrait
Hang
Yours to hold and manipulate
with the lingering
Of upright standing.
Manipulate what you can take
Thought
At our feet the sands are shifting
Take only what you can change
While we have supper.
we all command I Reach
Change what you can and leave the rest
for the moment
Leave the rest for someone else
Dug in by our heels.
that you want to provide
Someone else who strives to hide
We overlook the joy
You Run
Hide it all deep down inside
Seduced by the sameness
Brought by trouble and confusion.
towards the second you've waited for your
Gar y Pinkerton
Melody Ann
whole life I Rest on my heart You bless flutter flounder scatter sex treble bass rhyme vex drum-chord industry sound up down
up
Crimson licks paint the darkened air, Arms outstretched to infinite stars, A baptism of energy itself, The fire screams softly,
A-Arrgh! I never stop their reading whenever it occurs.
The wood itself dances, As waves flow over its aged skin, A column of smoke caresses the sky, And warmth radiates all that bear witness,
down
A star itself is created among friends, Twinkling below the heavens, Shining from the fabric of the Earth.
solo
Nathan Crump
Their AR points are lacking according to the teachers. Who cares if we are late to school? They’ve only got two chapters left to speed read for the testers, and since it’s “Jack and Annie” even I can guess the answers! Jesse Doiron
14 • ISSUE June 2012
Volume 18, No. 9
This is the final ISSUE of the 2011-2012 arts season. The ISSUE will return in September. Deadline for ads or submissions is August 1.
Have a great summer. SMITH from page 11 However, for young student Melvin Maxwell Smith from Michigan, who was better known to his friends as Smithy, this question was far from being rhetorical. When he first saw Fallingwater in an art class, he declared, there and then, that one day he would live in a house designed by Wright. His classmates laughed: “You are going to be a teacher in a public school, you will never afford to live in such a house.” But Smith was undaunted. So much so that he made it a condition, when he proposed to his wife-to-be, Sara Stein, that she had to agree to live in a Wright-designed house. Shortly after the war, the Smiths made a trip to Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous studio and school in Wisconsin. Unbeknownst to them, business at Taliesin was slow and visitors were few. The couple was amazed and delighted when they were invited to dinner with the architect and his students. During the dinner, Smithy mustered up the courage and asked Wright how much he would charge for a modest family home. Wright had been involved in designing middle-income family homes for about ten years. Called “Usonian homes,”1 they typically were single-story houses, L-shaped to fit around a garden terrace on a small lot. Wright was known to say that such a house could be built at $5,000. We do not know if this was the price that he gave to Smithy, but it must have been close to this low mark because the deal was sealed. The Smiths bought three and a half acres in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on a small road not too far from a major road, as Wright advised. In those days it was a sleepy rural community about 17 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Detroit. Both Smith and Sara taught at Detroit public schools, so to finance the construction of the house they saved Sara’s salary and lived on Smithy’s. Always frugal, they found ways to cut down even more expenses. They never subscribed to a newspaper, never went to a restaurant or movies, and took their garbage to their relatives. Encouraged by Wright, Smithy became a contractor. At first, he hesitated, claiming no experience in building houses. “You are a smart man, “said Wright, “you will figure it out.” Smithy studied the blueprints for a year and in 1949 the construction began. Smithy turned out to be a demanding and exacting
supervisor who would not tolerate even slight deviations from Wright’s drawings. On one occasion, he discovered that the newly finished fireplace was half an inch off. He demanded the fireplace to be dismantled and redone, notwithstanding the fact that many of the builders were volunteers who worked for the honor of being involved in this project. Like all Usonian homes, the Smith house is built only with natural materials — brick for the walls, cedar boards for the ceiling, colored concrete for the floor which is warm and cozy due to radiant heating. Cantilevered overhangs facilitate natural heating and cooling. From the road, the house looks quite unremarkable: a single-story, flat-roof structure, not a single window or adornment interrupting its plain brick wall. One has to walk around the house to realize that, contrary to the general convention, the façade is facing the grounds with a pretty pond. The L-shaped wall on this side of the building consists of a row of floor-to ceiling glass doors. Sitting in the living room, one gets an impression of being outdoors, surrounded by nature. At night, the house glows like a beacon. The interior of this 1,800 square feet house looks as if it had been designed for Hobbits: tiny bedrooms, a miniature kitchen, a study the size of a small closet. If it were not for natural light provided by clerestory windows that run along the whole perimeter of the house, one might feel claustrophobic. They open the space up and also provide a decorative pattern, the only adornment in a deliberately austere environment. The Smiths lived a long and happy life in the house of their dreams. It did not matter that they never got to travel: the world came to them. For the past sixty years, the little house hidden in the labyrinth of unpaved roads in Bloomfield Hills has been a magnet for visitors from the United States and abroad. Wright called the Smith house “my little gem” and placed on its wall a Cherokee red square, the highest mark of distinction which he bestowed only upon his best creations.
Mission Statement Founded in 1983, The Art Studio, Inc. is devoted to: providing opportunities for interaction between the public and the Southeast Texas community of artists; furnishing affordable studio space to originating artists of every medium; promoting cultural growth and diversity of all art forms in Southeast Texas; and providing art educational opportunities to everyone, of every age, regardless of income level, race, national origin, sex or religion.
PURPOSE The purpose of The Art Studio, Inc. is to (1) provide educational opportunities between the general public and the community of artists and (2) to offer sustained support for the artist by operating a non-profit cooperative to provide studio space and exhibition space to working artists and crafts people, and to provide an area for group work sessions for those artists and crafts people to jointly offer their labor, ideas, and enthusiasm to each other.
GOALS 1. 2. 3. 4.
OBJECTIVES 1. 2.
1
The word ‘Usonian’ was coined by American writer James Duff Law in 1903 who proposed to use it instead of ‘American’ when speaking of the matters pertaining to the United States only and not to Canada and Mexico. Wright used this word for the first time in 1927 when he referred to the United States as Usonia and the people as Usonians.
To present public exhibitions To provide educational opportunities To provide accessible equipment for artists To provide peer feedback through association with other artists and crafts people
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
To present 10 art exhibitions per year To maintain equipment for artists in a safe working environment To provide better access to artists for the public To offer regularly scheduled adult and children’s classes To develop and maintain public activities with all sectors of the community To develop and maintain equipment to aid artists in their work To provide a display retail outlet for artists To expand programming and activities with increased facility space
Volume 18, No. 9
June 2012 ISSUE • 15
VIEW from page 3 tained support from, nor is it owned, by the City of Beaumont or any other entity besides itself. We bought our facility at full market value with a balloon loan that was paid off in 15 years. Our main support comes from individual donations and our resources of earned income and fundraising. TASI is unique in that regard. We have no hidden benefactor, no rich uncle, no tidy nest egg. So here is what I’d like you to consider. Under both Republican and Democratic majorities, the one thing you won’t hear is a reasonable discussion of the arts, especially the visual arts. If any governmental entity gets involved in the arts, it is normally to restrict it or criticize it or use it for political gain, such as Sen. Jesse Helms’ “Your tax dollars goes to this filth.” If there is funding, it is directed at educational outreach to a specific group of people or cultural exchange, or a visible media-ready program. But it is not to rebuild a facility, or repair a roof, or pay a staff to do the work that makes things happen like the DIY show. Funding for the arts will be down for the forseeable future and interest rates are not helping the endowments and foundations. Don’t count on anything to support the visual arts in Southeast Texas but you. All the organizations are working overtime, while being underfunded, to advance culture and bring arts to the public. Maybe one day people will turn their backs on the arts for good. But if the turnout for May’s show is any indication, it won’t be in the forseeable future.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Art Studio is looking for energetic people who have a few hours a month to help us in the following areas:
OFFICE SUPPORT BUILDINGS & GROUNDS SPECIAL EVENTS • MAILOUTS If you are interested in one or more of these opportunities or if you know of anyone who might be, give us a call at 409-838-5393
WE WANT YOU FOR BAND NITE Hear original music by local musicians at For upcoming gigs, visit the studio’s facebook page
$5
admission
All ages welcome • 21 and up BYOB and have your ID.
720 Franklin, Beaumont, Texas 77701
Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit #135 Beaumont, TX
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
INSIDE • GEEK’S GUIDE TO SUMMER • THOUGHTCRIME: MUSINGS FROM AREA POETS • FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT • DIY SHOW IN PICTURES
When you support The Art Studio with your membership, you receive ISSUE, Southeast Texas’ and Southwest Louisiana’s alternative press as well as class schedules, invitations to opening receptions and various Studio functions.
Volunteers These people are the life blood of our organization. WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU! To volunteer, drop by The Art Studio, Inc., or call 409-838-5393. Elizabeth Fontenot Bryan Castino April Ringland Heather & Adam Butler Andy Ledesma Rhonda Rodman Sue Wright Cyndi Grimes Rhonda McNally Andy Coughlan Olivia Busceme Ben Jennings Beth Gallaspy Kim McGlothlin John Roberts Philip Grice Beau Dumesnil Karen Dumesnil Sheila Busceme Kailee Viator Haley Bruyn Bryan LaVergne Gabe Sellers Michael Snowden
JOIN US FOR ART OPENINGS ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH THIS MONTH:
JUNE 2 GALLERY RECEPTION IS 7-10 P.M.
ISSUE
DISTRIBUTION POINTS DOWNTOWN THE ART STUDIO, INC. 720 FRANKLIN ART MUSEUM OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS 500 MAIN BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS MUSEUM 1750 IH-10E BEAUMONT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 801 MAIN (IN CITY HALL) BEAUMONT ART LEAGUE (FAIRGROUNDS) 2675 GULF ST BOOK BAZAAR 1445 CALDER THE CAFE 730 LIBERTY JERUSALEM HOOKAH CAFÉ 3035 COLLEGE NEW YORK PIZZA & PASTA 790 NECHES SETAC 701 NORTH STREET, STE. 1 TEXAS ENERGY MUSEUM 600 MAIN SOUTH END/LAMAR UNIVERSITY CARLITO’S RESTAURANT 890 AMARILLO @ COLLEGE DOS AMIGAS 1590 FRANKLIN LU ART DEPARTMENT DISHMAN ART MUSEUM OLD TOWN ANNA’S MEXICAN BAKERY 2570 CALDER JASON’S DELI 112 GATEWAY SHOP CNTR KATHARINE & CO. 1495 CALDER RAO’S BAKERY 2596 CALDER SIGN INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS 2835 LAUREL SUNRISE 2425 S 11TH SWICEGOOD MUSIC CO. 3685 COLLEGE THE TATTERED SUITCASE 2590 CALDER CENTRAL/WEST END BASIC FOODS 229 DOWLEN BEAUMONT VISITORS BUREAU IH-10 CHRISTIAN MYERS-RMT 6755 PHELAN BLVD 24E COLORADO CANYON 6119 FOLSOM GUITAR & BANJO STUDIO 4381 CALDER LOGON CAFE 3805 CALDER THE MASSAGE INSTITUTE 2855 EASTEX FRWY, SUITE 1 (@ DELAWARE) NORTH END CYCLE HWY 105 PACESETTER COLONNADE CENTER QUIZNOS 3939 SUITE 9 DOWLEN RED B4 BOOKS 4495 CALDER REED’S LAUNDRY 6025A PHELAN @ PEYTON STUDIO 77 6372 COLONNADE CENTER THIRSTY’S 229 DOWLEN TRENDY’S 5905 PHELAN, STE. E. PARKDALE RAO’S BAKERY 4440 DOWLEN ORANGE STARK MUSEUM OF ART 712 GREEN AVE.
