Category Archives for Art

New Local Documentary Confronts Ageism in Society

Published in RINewsToday on August 12, 2024

Big News. After three years in fundraising, filming and production, Filmmaker Michelle Le Brun is poised to showcase her new 55-minute document, “Optics of Aging,” on Oct. 15 at 5:00 pm., at the Providence Public Library in the Donald Farish Auditorium.  

This full-length documentary’s premiere is support by The Rhode Island Foundation, The Robertson Foundation, RI State Council on the Arts and The Providence Public Library, and about $11,423 raised on GoFundMe (goal set at $20,000).  

In “Optics of Aging”, stereotypes of ageism dissolve and the beauty of aging is revealed through five Rhode Island elders who have shaped the landscape of Rhode Island and beyond, says Le Brun. “Their voices take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time,” she said.

This is not Le Brun’s “first rodeo” in making documentaries.  Her first film Death: A Love Story premiered at Sundance film Festival in competition in 1999 (now available now in over 500 universities in the U.S. and Canada),   It won Best Documentary at Santa Barbara film festival and got several honors at other film festivals. It enjoyed seven different kinds of distribution over 20 years. She also teaches in the Film Media Department at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

The Epiphany…

According to Le Brun, the subject of aging is front and center in our country right  now. How old is too old? Is age really just a number? Regardless of one’s answer to these questions, we all have ageist stereotypes that we grow up with from a very young age.

At  age 61, the Providence filmmaker had an epiphany about her own aging. “I had all  kinds of negative images in my mind about what it means to grow old.  Images of decrepitude and rapidly decreasing health, not being able to get up the 41 stairs to my home, isolated,” she remembered. 

“But I also knew people in their 90s who were nothing like my conditioned images of the elder years. The more I looked around, I began to notice that in fact, there were many people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s that defied the images I had of what it means to be an elder,” says Le Brun. 

“So, I thought I would reach out to them and ask about their lives and their feelings about aging,” notes Le Brun. ”There are so many very interesting and unique elders in our community, I had a hard time deciding who to interview. I decided the common element that would pull them all together is that they had each done something at some point in their lives that contributed to the character of Rhode Island,” she added. 

“From there, I found various people word-of-mouth except Phil West who I already knew from University of Rhode Island, adds Le Brun.   

“And one of the things I have realized in making this film, is that we are all a thread in the tapestry of this place; of Rhode Island – of any place we call home. Our home is living and breathing, ever changing. We shape the place we live in as it in turn shapes us,” she stated. 

Five Elder Voices

On her website, Le Brun notes: “The five elders’ take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time in Rhode Island when the state confronted challenges that required creative solutions.  The ideas of these forward thinkers changed lives and shaped legends and legacies during times of vast sociocultural change. Through these stories, our community remembers its past to inform a future that maintains the unique character of Rhode Island. 

These five elder Rhode Islanders raise awareness and challenge society’s stereotypes around aging and celebrate the elder years.  “Their personal narratives create a tapestry of perspectives that showcase the beauty, resilience, and wisdom that comes with advancing age,” says Le Brun. 

And their backgrounds are detailed on the Optics of Aging web site:

“Linda Miller (90 years young at filming), the woman behind Lippitt Hill Tutorial, later renamed Inspiring Minds, that alleviated the stressors of 1960’s desegregation in Providence schools and delivered significant improvements in student’s academic performance. Her stalwart values have guided her life from education reformer to psychotherapist, which she is still doing today! Her wisdom about aging shines through her ever-present humor.”

“Phil West (77 years young when interviewed in 2019) long-time state director of Common Cause and author of Secrets and Scandals: Reforming Rhode Island1986-2006.The Providence Journal dubbed him “The Godfather of Political Reform in Rhode Island.” The key to his pursuit of ethical government over the decades was establishing a Separation of Powers amendment in the Rhode Island Constitution. Phil’s quiet passion for justice resonates deeply. 

“Aly Stallman (90 years young when he died in 2019) entrepreneur and Ironman triathlete in his 50s, also Founder and President of the Ocean State Marathon in Newport, RI. In the feature film, Aly has just told his doctors that he wants no more treatments. He shares his feelings about his imminent death with grace and poignancy”. 

“Morris Nathanson (95 years young when he died in 2022) who co-designed De Pasquale Square in Providence, the first Dunkin’ Donuts, and was one of the founding designers for Trinity Repertory Theater. He has shaped the sights and sounds of Providence and abroad through his landmark architectural restaurant designs. The warmth in community of growing up in Pawtucket has shaped his whole life.”

“Mildred Nichols (90 years young when interviewed in 2019). Beloved community leader, was a founding member of the Rhode Island Women’s Political Caucus, served on the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education and was Director of Career Counseling Services at the Rhode Island Department of Education where she was instrumental in providing out reach to women known as ‘displaced’ homemakers. Mildred is also a descendent of Joseph Trammel. She shares with us his freedom papers and her moving gratitude.” 

As Le Brun says, “ageism is the last “ism” it seems still ok to have. Let’s change that!” 

Working alongside Le Brun were Ryan Bliss (Editor), Milana Cepeda (Composer), Becca Bender (Archival Producer), Roxanne Ducharme, in Panama (Graphic Design and Animation), and Mauro Colangelo in Italy (Post-Production Audio and Mix). An international team.

To register for the premiere and join the discussion at Providence Public Library, go to https://provlib.libcal.com/event/12675871 .

For updates and future screenings go to: https://www.opticsofaging.com/

To fund Optics of Aging’s outreach, go to  https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number  

Long Standing Show Returns in December

Published in Woonsocket Call on November 8, 2015

Foundry Artist Association Kicks Off 33rd holiday Sale at Pawtucket Armory

Look for thousands of shoppers to converge on downtown to purchase unique holiday gifts for their friends and loved ones.       Next month, the Foundry Artists Association (FAA), one of Rhode Island’s premier arts events, returns to the City of Pawtucket to kick off its 33rd holiday sale.  At this two weekend event, 60 seasoned artists bring their fine art and crafts to sell to the Pawtucket Armory’s drill hall, items ranging from art glass to wood, and include painting, sculpture, metal, fiber, mixed media, jewelry, ceramics, photography, millinery, handmade books, and furniture.

One of Rhode Island’s oldest shows runs for seven days over the first two December weekends, starting with the Gala Opening Night on Thursday, December. 3, from 5pm – 9pm. The Gala features the John Juxo and Otis Read, refreshments and the kick off of a Silent Auction showcasing items valued over $50 that are donated by each of the participating artists.

The show continues on Friday, December. 4, from noon – 8pm; Saturday (December. 5) and Sunday (December. 6) from 10-6 pm. The proceeds of the first weekend Silent Auction will be given to two nonprofits: Sovereign House, an advocacy and resource center for Rhode Island domestic abuse victims and the Resources for Human Development, a Pawtucket-based arts-based studio program that serves adults with a range of disabilities.

The Foundry Artist show reopens on Friday, December 11, noon – 8pm; Saturday, December. 12, 10am – 6pm, and closes on Sunday, December. 13, 10am – 6pm.

The show is free to the public with free parking in the adjacent parking lot and free on street parking.  Handicap parking is in the rear of the building.  No sales tax will be charged on purchases; all major credit cards accepted.

Providence artist Michael Bryce, FAA’s president, says his organization’s event stands out from other art shows popping up throughout the Ocean State in December.  “With a juried selection of artists, the caliber of work is high in our show,” he says, noting that a strong outreach brings seasoned artists to group’s attention, who are invited to apply and submit their work for consideration.

“After a rigorous jury process usually 75 percent of the artists will be selected to return the next year, says Bryce. This turnover gives shoppers an opportunity to view the art work of the new participating artist each year.

Pawtucket’s First Years

Bryce says that over three decades ago, a community of artists opened their I-95 Foundry Building studios in downtown Providence to the public during the December holiday season.  In 1995, when the Foundry Building was converted to office space, its artists scattered to studios throughout the region, however, they continued to hold a December holiday show in different venues. These places included Veterans Auditorium and at a mill now demolished on Charles Street, both located in downtown Providence. The Foundry Artist would end up in Pawtucket initially by relocating to the Grant building on the City’s historic Main Street and later to Riverfront Lofts, across the river from City Hall.

In 2002, the Foundry Artists were drawn to the 1894 castle-like Armory, on Exchange Street, says Bryce.  With the departure of the National Guard in 1994 the City’s historic Pawtucket Armory became vacant.  Its 11,000 sf drill hall might just be the perfect place to hold for their holiday sale.

Ultimately, with the Foundry Artist signing a lease with the Pawtucket Armory Association, a nonprofit that owned and was renovating the historic structure, former Mayor James E. Doyle, charged the city’s Department of Planning & Redevelopment with the responsibility of making sure all the regulatory i’s were dotted and t’s crossed.  Art supporters, including Phyllis and Morris Nathanson, Paul Audette, along with Developer Ranne P. Warner gave countless hours to making this first Holiday sale a success.

At the first Foundry Artist Holiday Sale, under the amazing vaulted space, a large outside propane heater piped hot air inside the drill hall to bring temperatures up to a manageable level.  Porta cans placed at the back of the drill hall became the de facto rest rooms. With paint peeling from the ceiling and walls, the huge space needed a good coat of paint.

But, shoppers, coming from Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, found plenty of free parking in Pawtucket, and easy access off Interstate 95.  With the Pawtucket Armory being located in the City’s 307 acre Arts District, there was no sales tax was charged on purchases.

Over the 13 years that the holiday sale has been held at the Pawtucket Armory, gradual improvements were made to this building.  Propane heaters used during the first years were replaced with an efficient gas heating system and rest room facilities were built out.  Over the last couple of years a new wooden floor was installed in the huge drill hall with the walls and ceiling being painted.

Bryce, employed by the Providence Journal as a freelance illustrator at age 12 who was has received undergraduate and master degrees in painting and illustration and teaches art at local colleges, says that the Armory’s drill hall perfectly showcases the artist’s one-of-a-kind art work. “I cannot even image another space that would be so perfect,” he says, stressing that the “beautiful space” gives shoppers a “breath-taking experience.” when they are browsing around looking for that piece of art.

With two years under his belt as President, Bryce has worked to put his finger prints on the Holiday sale.  With the silent auction being completed by the end of the first weekend, he successfully pushed his group to create artist showcase which highlights each unique artist’s works.

Live artist demonstrations and videos are scheduled every hour on the second weekend to show the process of making art in different artistic mediums, Bryce added, noting that this “creates an interesting and interactive environment for the shopper.”

For additional information about this year’s foundry Artists Show, please visit www.foundryshow.com or www.facebook.com/foundryshow.  Or listen to advertising spots place don Rhode Island National Public Radio.

Just Weeks Away

Published in digital issue of Rhode Island Creative Design in September 2015

For the third year, XOS Exchange Street Open Studios (XOS) will showcase its talented artisans on Sept. 26 and 27 from 10-4 p.m. at three renovated historic buildings in Pawtucket’s Armory Arts District. This year, 35 artists will be showing original, handcrafted artwork, including paintings, sculpture, prints, photography, crafts, wearable art, jewelry, graphic and textile design, and more, all sales-tax free.

The art show is sponsored in part by the City of Pawtucket, Bristol County Savings Bank, the Pawtucket Arts Festival, and Pamela Hughes. Organizer Joan Hausrath says XOS is very unique in that, “visitors may park and walk from building to building rather than driving from one location to another.” Art Making In Historic

Pawtucket Mills

The renovation of the participating downtown Pawtucket mills draws many visitors to the event, says Hausrath. Riverfront Lofts (10 Exchange Ct.), a former knitting mill on the Blackstone River, is now a condominium with more than 50 unique work/live spaces. Next door is Blackstone Studios (163 Exchange St.), which was once a cardboard factory but now contains both design and art studios, including that of well-known artist/designer, Morris Nathanson. Finally, just one block away is Mad Dog Artist Studios (65 Blackstone Ave.), a new enterprise that provides studio and common area workspaces to artists on a short or long-term rental basis.

“Anyone who is an artist residing or renting a studio in any of the buildings may participate in XOS. Participating guest artists are invited by unit hosts,” states Hausrath, noting that each year the artists vary. Besides buying artwork, “People will have a unique opportunity to learn more about creative art making,” says Hausrath. They can view works in progress, watch art demos, and talk with artists about their career goals. This year, Lyell Castonguay and friends from BIG INK will be printing huge woodcut prints and encouraging visitors to join them.

An Easy Drive

Take Exit 29, I-95, and follow the signs. There is plenty of free parking, music, and food trucks. Arts Marketplace Pawtucket, a fine art and crafts show, will be taking place in the historic Pawtucket Armory nearby, so make a day of it! For more information including a list of participating artists and directions, go to: www.xospawtucket.com.