"News From Diversity eight"

December 20, 2000

Greetings ...from an unusually chilly studio at Diversity,

Winter has arrived here with a vengeance.

Working late nights at the studio in this kind of weather reminds me of the pictures I've seen of those abstract expressionist painters in New York City winters during the 1950s.

But two major differences immediately come to mind...

I haven't yet reached the level of dedication and sacrifice those artists had for their art.
I have better heaters than they had. :)

In any case, there are a lot of new and exciting things happening at Diversity.

Julie Bridge's one person show "Unpolished Grace" was very popular. A lot of folks came to see her work. Her painting "Silence" ("mermaid with stigmata" - my description) is forever burned into my consciousness - powerful stuff.
A few of those visitors came to Diversity as part of Tony McDonald's art class project. Tony has some of his work here as part of Diversity's continuing exhibition and also teaches college level art at NSU/Fort Polk. Thanks Tony!
As a matter of fact, both Tony McDonald and Eva Williams are exhibiting artists at the River Oaks (Alexandria) "miniature show." I saw the show a couple of weeks ago. It's amazing what can be done in such a small scale. It's well worth the trip.
Eva Williams (who also teaches art at NSU/Fort Polk and has some of her work at Diversity) will teach art classes for young people at the Leesville Neighborhood Center. The first class is scheduled for Saturday, January 20th and is just the first of a continuing series of VISTA sponsored programs. These classes are scheduled for every third Saturday of the month. Diversity is very happy to assist and support this wonderful project in any way we can.
Paula Scheuneman's "art camps at Diversity" have become a regular event on the first Saturday of every month. Paula does a great job with the kids. She will also assist Eva with the VISTA projects. I took a picture of Diversity's art camp room after Paula's last art camp. You can look at this picture and immediately see that the kids had fun. (rule number one) The picture will show up again on one of Diversity's future brochures.
I'm in the middle of a full update of Diversity's online home at:

http://www.diversearts.com

New features will include an online gallery with artist contact information, images of art and personal statements from the artists at Diversity.

I'd like to specifically ask for your opinion on Diversity's aesthetics statement at:

http://www.diversearts.com/dogma.html

If you have a spare moment, please give me your views about this document. I really need some feedback on this.

The DIVERSITY LIST is another new feature that I'm very excited about. This email list makes it easy for all of us to remain connected. A single message sent to: list@diversearts.com is automatically sent to everyone else in our group. It also fits very well within Diversity's philosophical focus of egalitarianism and cooperation.

The DIVERSITY LIST is fully functional now. My hope is to have the entire website fully updated by the end of the year. As always, feedback and suggestions are welcome.

Jessica Cason's upcoming one person show "Created in his Image" is scheduled at Diversity for Jan 18 - Feb 18, 2000. An opening reception honoring the artist is scheduled for Thursday, January 18th at 7pm. Jessica describes her work as "reflecting Abstract Expressionism in nude forms"

Describing all of these events at Diversity has warmed my heart ...if not my body. :) Once again, it's a tribute to what a group of dedicated individuals can accomplish. One person simply can't do it. A cooperative effort among many people is the key to any success Diversity achieves.

Thank you ...and stay warm,
David

david@diversearts.com
New Llano, Louisiana

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"Only by identifing our interests and pleasures with those of others can we find real happiness."
Declaration of Principles - New Llano Cooperative Colony - 1917
New Llano, Louisiana

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