marksmud

Don’t Say Hey
Curatorial Statement:

In 2014, the art I was making celebrated a time, and reflected social and cultural shifts brought on by years and years of determination and progress. LGBTQIA+ laws were put in place to protect; q***r folk now can legally marry across the country and have the same rights as heterosexuals. Then in 2016, a rather impactful change occurred and since then, society has regressed.
Those who identify as LGBTQIA+ have been confronted with a return to a new form of conservatism, fear campaigns, and misinformation in efforts to stifle, revoke, and silence those in our community. Florida, our neighbor to the South, has pushed to create a “Don’t Say Gay” agenda, focused on protecting children but more so, being a signal that being gay is somehow now, not ok. Many states have followed with multiple avenues of discrimination that only fuel hatred and mistrust.
As an arts educator, I have seen the direct correlation these changes have had on my students. I see where fear has become a part of their creative process, at a time and place where they should be openly finding their voices, they are scared, or worse, they are not making the art they truly want to make. This form of muting comes from a deep internal fear, born of their communities, their families, and at times their peers. It is not always loud or direct and the role of social media plays in spreading information only makes it more real and damaging.
Curating Don’t Say Hey is my way to create a space for students to share their art, engage in dialogue, to see that it does get better. My students are paired in this exhibition with nationally recognized artists, from different mediums, regions, and backgrounds who are coming together to create connections and form the type of networks that we find through art and openness. Art has always responded to challenges and has been a catalyst for meaningful bonds.
Artists Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg supposedly spoke to one another through their art, using a coded language to one another, unsuspecting to the art world and the public, because in the 1950s, it did not matter how good the art was, if it was made by openly q***r artists, it would never have seen the light of day.
A singular piece of art can be a protest, a group of artists coming together to show support, share their stories, and stand alongside those who are afraid, is part of a revolution.

DON'T SAY HEY Don’t Say Hey Curatorial Statement:

Come on to Square The Circle on Saturday the 26th and get a chance to win a free piece of pottery. The show is already a stunning opportunity to see the textiles of Austin TX artist Malka Dubrawsky, this is just a little icing...

Join us at Plough Gallery this Saturday, October 26th from 5-7 PM as we welcome artist Malka Dubrawsky to Tifton. The opening reception for the new exhibition "Square The Circle" featuring contemporary quilts is free and open to the public. Malka will give an artist talk and refreshments will be served. 10 lucky attendees will win a custom-made pottery piece to take home! We hope you will join us for a fun evening of art and community.

https://www.ploughgallery.com/store/c114/Carla_Prinster.html

We are excited to feature Carla Prinster. Carla makes pottery that is exceedingly joyful, and generously vibrant and speaks to her love for flowers and nature.

Carla Prinster Ceramics Handmade Ceramics by Carla Prinster at Plough Gallery

https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=14108

ART FRIENDS! ART APPRECIATION FOLKS! This is a great opportunity to showcase your art and share in creating a wonderful exhibition with me at Valdosta State University. Any questions, please reach out to me.

CaFE Event Information - 37th Annual Valdosta National - Valdosta State University Read more about 37th Annual Valdosta National - Valdosta State University on CaFE

Naomi Peterson Ceramics Handmade Ceramics by Naomi Peterson at Plough Gallery

Plough Gallery is pleased to present "Her Declarations", a new exhibit featuring works by visual artist Sanaz Haghani. The exhibit opens Satuday, September 17, 2022 with an Opening Reception from 5 PM to 7 PM. The Athens, Georgia artist will be in attendance. We hope to see you at Plough Gallery for this exciting show.

Two Valdosta State University students at Plough Gallery. Nice little article.

Artists seek their 'Roots' at Plough Gallery TIFTON — The latest exhibit from Plough Gallery questions methods of communication, perception and critiquing through the medium of figurative work – all from two university seniors completely new to

Plough Gallery Small Batch by Mark Errol Small Batch Pottery for Plough Gallery by Mark Errol

RAKU LIVE DEMO TODAY!
Plough Gallery Parking Lot.
Corner Ridge & 8th, Tifton, Georgia.
First Firing begins around 9 AM.

ploughgallery.com
Cultivate CommUNITY

Ready... Get Set... "MIDDEN"!

A blank slate again! The walls in this exhibit space in the gallery have been stripped bare and freshly painted! It will be turned over to Kaleena Stasiak today. She has carte blanche with the space and will be installing her new exhibit "Midden". We are super excited to see what she does with this room. "Midden" will be our first exhibit featuring an in-person artist talk and reception since our world was turned upside-down over a year ago. Put the Opening Reception date of "Midden" on your calendar! Join us May 22nd from 3 PM - 6 PM as we introduce Kaleena and "Midden" to Plough Gallery.

ploughgallery.com
Cultivate Community