Artist awarness project

http://www.saratoga.com/today/2009/10/the-domestic-violence-awareness-project.html

Saratoga Today
The Domestic Violence Awareness Project
Written By: Yael Goldman on October 9, 2009

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, a 31 day campaign to support the individual stories, experiences and personalities affected by domestic abuse.
Every victim of domestic abuse is different and, similarly, this diversity calls for a variety of outlets and mediums to show support and rally prevention awareness. As a visual medium, artistic expression calls unique attention to this cause, which is why local sculptor mi Chelle Vara uses visual art to inspire positive action as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Vara created 8 sculptural pieces, at her Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery in Wilton, to be shown in conjunction with the awareness campaign. From Vara’s perspective, communication is vital for those directly and indirectly affected by domestic violence.”The problem with domestic violence is the silence barrier. If it’s happening, even to someone close, no one wants to talk about it,” Vara said. “I create visual pieces that are dimensional; allowing a dialogue to open up through all people.”The tragic death of friend Dawn Bovey Roberts, a local victim of extreme domestic violence, enlightened Vara about the need for open communication and support for those in danger. Last year, Vara showed her support with two sculptures, and his year she’s added eight more with “bigger language.” Through these pieces, Vara aims to capture the positive: how she has seen many people grow through domestic violence, using their experience as something positive to propel them to a new place as an individual. She works with iron and glass to convey how negative energy can be transformed into growth and enlightenment for the world around her.Vara’s artwork demonstrates just one medium for expressing the relationship between violence and emotion. She highlights the power and inspiration surrounding those who conquer domestic abuse, and it is their encouraging stories that speak volumes about violence of all forms.”Domestic violence and violence are not separate issues. Violence in society must be addressed, and addressed positively,” Vara said.By capturing the good that comes from even the most negative situations, Vara’s sculptures embody the message that triumph over social violence can be inspiration for change.

Go to web site for all the pictures and articals. http://www.michellevara.com/
Thank you

10/03/09 D.V. Art Show Opening Reception offered motivating energy

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I enjoyed seeing everyone and partaking in good conversation Champaign, chocolate covered strawberries backed with snacks and music.

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 The night was filled with inspiring input from new and old acquaintances alike.

 Comments like-

  • We are moved by the combination of materials you have chosen.
  • I have in the past felt that the heart was to cliché for visual art. Until now, I see how you manipulate the use and form making an explosive visual statement. Enticing my thoughts and tugging at my sensory emotions.
  • I love the new body of work and were you have come to.
  • Your choice of simple non-valued material leaves stunning emotional responses within my wife and I.
  • The finish on the pieces is outstanding and different.

 I had to write them down in order to remember, as there were so many. The night was so full of positivism. The language and input was exhilarating and motivating.

 The turn out was refreshing for the space.

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The Domestic Violence Awareness Project

 
 Saratoga Today

 

The Domestic Violence Awareness Project

 

Written By:
Yael Goldman on October 9, 2009

 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, a 31 day campaign to support the individual stories, experiences and personalities affected by domestic abuse.

Every victim of domestic abuse is different and, similarly, this diversity calls for a variety of outlets and mediums to show support and rally prevention awareness.

As a visual medium, artistic expression calls unique attention to this cause, which is why local sculptor mi Chelle Vara uses visual art to inspire positive action as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Vara created 8 sculptural pieces, at her Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery in Wilton, to be shown in conjunction with the awareness campaign.

From Vara’s perspective, communication is vital for those directly and indirectly affected by domestic violence.

“The problem with domestic violence is the silence barrier. If it’s happening, even to someone close, no one wants to talk about it,” Vara said. “I create visual pieces that are dimensional; allowing a dialogue to open up through all people.”

The tragic death of friend Dawn Bovey Roberts, a local victim of extreme domestic violence, enlightened Vara about the need for open communication and support for those in danger.
Last year, Vara showed her support with two sculptures, and his year she’s added eight more with “bigger language.”

Through these pieces, Vara aims to capture the positive: how she has seen many people grow through domestic violence, using their experience as something positive to propel them to a new place as an individual. She works with iron and glass to convey how negative energy can be transformed into growth and enlightenment for the world around her.

Vara’s artwork demonstrates just one medium for expressing the relationship between violence and emotion. She highlights the power and inspiration surrounding those who conquer domestic abuse, and it is their encouraging stories that speak volumes about violence of all forms.

“Domestic violence and violence are not separate issues. Violence in society must be addressed, and addressed positively,” Vara said.

By capturing the good that comes from even the most negative situations, Vara’s sculptures embody the message that triumph over social violence can be inspiration for change.

 
 

 

"Stunning" – Sculpture review by Kate Austin

10/01/09 -Chronicle News
Domestic violence art at BJS Artworks in The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls NY holds a reception for its second annual domestic violence awarness project. From Vitom to Victory on Saturday , Oct 3 from 4 to 8 pm.
Last year the solidarity of the attendees at this art reception moved me to tears, a friend of Bev Saunders who owns BJSArtworks, pulled out her guitar and played the Bill Withers tune “Lean on Me”. Those at the opening, many who did know each other sang along. Ms.Saunders lost her daughter in a high-profile act of brutal domestic violence in Las Vagas Last November, she says she hopes to raise awareness and foster healing with this show.
The Gallery doesn’t have many different artist participating this year, but the works on the walls are raw and moving. miChelle M. Vara, an artist working found objects and metal sculpture, shows new pieces that are quite stunning. These works are simpler than her previous works I’ve seen, and more effective for it.
-Kate Austin

10/02/09 Kate Austin says ” miChelle’s work is SATUNNING for show opening tomorrow.

10/01/09 -Chronicle News

Domestic violence art at BJS Artworks in The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls NY holds a reception for its second annual domestic violence awarness project. From Vitom to Victory on Saturday , Oct 3 from 4 to 8 pm.

 Last year the solidarity of the attendees at this art reception moved me to tears, a friend of Bev Saunders who owns BJSArtworks, pulled out her guitar and played the Bill Withers tune “Lean on Me”. Those at the opening, many who did know each other sang along. Ms.Saunders lost her daughter in a high-profile act of brutal domestic violence in Las Vagas Last November, she says she hopes to raise awareness and foster healing with this show.          

The Gallery doesn’t have many different artist participating this year, but the works on the walls are raw and moving. miChelle M. Vara, an artist working found objects and metal sculpture, shows new pieces that are quite stunning. These works are simpler than her previous works I’ve seen, and more effective for it.

-Kate Austin

10-09Chronicle News

9/28/09- Melting point of The Intercollegiate Iron Pour at S.A.W. in Salem New York.

Finished Iron Furnace

Finished Iron Furnace

In the first weeks pour the iron furnace burns out leaving lead organizer Teresa Smith in a hot position. She reaches out to local fabricators miChelle & Chad from Ballard Road Art Studio Wilton NY for the immediate build of a new Cupolette Iron furnace.                  

The dust till dawn long hours of 2 days hard work. Humm the fabrication shop tune. Singing the non-stop sparks flying, hammers pounding, grinding to the finish, of the new Iron furnace. Just in time for the Iron Pour in 2 days. Oct 3 noon 2009.

Because pouring iron is a complicated, physically and mentally intensive process, students and professors alike will have to work together in teams to warm, charge and tap the furnaces and to pour the molten iron into their molds. Around two tons of iron is expected to be poured during this year’s event.

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