Scattered By the Wind – Dayna J Collins

Scattered By the Wind: Teaching at Hillcrest

Last September, my Scattered By the Wind Prayer Flag Project came to a close. The project was sponsored by Salem Art Association through their Project Space program. If interested, you can read about the 2014 summer project by clicking here.

One of the outcomes of my project was that we raised over $2,000 by selling flags, and that money, along with grant money obtained by Salem Art Association, allowed me to buy supplies and go into Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility to guide the incarcerated young men in creating a series of prayer flags. I invited my good friend Tory Brokenshire to join me in weekly visits to Hillcrest.

Because cameras and phones are not allowed inside the secure facility, we had to rely on a corrections officer to snap a few photos of the sessions. Also, without permission and authorizations, we weren’t able to take photos of any of the guys.

Tory and I did two session per week for eight weeks and the guys created 82 flags!

Here are a few close ups of flags…..

In the middle of our residency at Hillcrest, Salem Art Association held their Young Artists Showcase and they asked that some of the flags created by the Hillcrest boys be featured. It was exciting to have so many flags on display at the Bush Barn Gallery.

Last Thursday, Tory and I went into the facility’s canteen and hung the 82 flags. Again, our photos are limited due to not having phones or cameras inside (we were tempted to smuggle in a phone as we felt a bit naked without one!).

On Thursday evening, the community, family, friends, along with the guys, were invited to view the flags.

A nice spread of food was prepared by the manager of the canteen and a group of boys to celebrate the show. A few parents showed up and several groups of guys came through. One young man, who came every week to make a flag, had his mother and grandparents attend. He was so excited to share his flags, including the pink poodle he created. When he created that flag, under the theme of things found in nature (what!?!?), he said, “I can’t wait to give this flag to my grandma.”

PS The Oregon Youth Authority had a professional photographer attend the reception and he shot some amazing photos of the flags and the guys. If I’m able to obtain a few of those photos, I’ll post them here.

Scattered By the Wind: Final Post

My Scattered By the Wind Prayer Flag Project has come to an end. I submitted my proposal to the Salem Art Association in March and in May learned that my project had been selected for Project Space. I did my first blog post about the project on May 27th, and then offered regular updates throughout the summer. I didn’t know what to expect when I started, but it sure took on a life of its own and exceeded any expectations. When I submitted my proposal, selling the flags wasn’t even part of the plan. One thing led to another, and three months later, the project has come to a close.

THE FINAL NUMBERS . . . . . .

Flags mailed or handed out: 165

Flags distributed at Project Space: 33

Total flags distributed in one way or another: 198

Received back from those distributed: 164

Flags created at Project Space venue: 116

Flag-making sessions: 6

First Wednesday events where flags were created: 2

Special flag-making sessions: 2

Made by me: 28

TOTAL FLAGS RECEIVED AND HUNG: 308

Flags sold through Facebook and at venues for $10 each: 169

Flags sold at other venues at reduced price of $5 each: 33

Special donations made to the project: $400

TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED FOR HILLCREST YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: $2,255.

The final piece was deciding what to do with the flags that did not sell – and there are still lots of beautiful flags. Several suggestions were made, everything from flying the flags outside to allow them to disintegrate in the wind, to tucking them away for selling in the future. I’ve decided to send them on their way to another project, a project that was inspired by this one. The flags will be going to SARC, where my daughter Amy works. Here’s information on how this project continues to be scattered by the wind.

The Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) is a non-profit organization founded by two sexual assault survivors in 1977. SARC operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. SARC is funded through government grants, foundations, and private donations. Our mission is to promote social justice by eliminating sexual violence in our community through education, support and advocacy.

For the past five years SARC’s Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) program has worked diligently to meet the individual and systemic needs of sexually exploited youth in Multnomah and Washington Counties by providing a victim-centered approach through our 24-hour emergency response advocates and long-term support case managers. To date we have served over 450 unduplicated teens find safe and secure shelter, gain access to physical and mental health care services, procure clothing and hygiene supplies, re-establish educational plans, build job skills, and through the process build a community of caring and supportive individuals who help the youth move towards their dreams.

Flags are being sold for $10 each, with proceeds going to SARC’s CSEC Prevention Program, a program that works to end exploitation of children, before it begins.

Willamette Valley Open Studio Tour Returns

After a year hiatus, the Willamette Valley Open Studio Tour has returned. This is a self-guided public tour of local artist studios in Marion and Polk Counties. The tour is Saturday and Sunday, September 13-14, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm. More information is available about the tour on the website. There are 19 artist studios on the tour and the cost is only $5 for both days and all the studios. Tickets can be purchased at the Art Department, Bush Barn, and from all tour artists.

I participated in this event in both 2011 and 2012, both times when I was in my previous studio. For this event, you’ll have the opportunity to see my upstairs painting studio, my basement assemblage studio, and you’ll have the opportunity to buy art. I’ll have old as well as new oil and cold wax paintings, Funky Junkyard Birds, greetings cards, prints, reproductions of Fearless Faces, and dozens of new Curious Elements.

Limited edition giclee prints of this original oil and cold wax painting, "Spotted With Crimson," will be available for the first time. — Limited edition giclee prints of this original oil and cold wax painting, “Spotted With Crimson,” will be available for the first time.

In addition to all this art goodness, there will be one final opportunity to support my Scattered By the Wind Prayer Flag Project and purchase prayer flags at half price: only $5 each, with proceeds from the sale of the flags going to art programming at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility.

During the studio tour, I’m also having a studio SALE. Everything will be reduced in some way, with some things being marked down as much as 50%.

16x20 canvas reproductions of Fearless Faces, regularly $80, will be on sale for half price. Only $40 each. — 16×20 canvas reproductions of Fearless Faces, regularly $80, will be on sale for half price. Only $40 each.

Oil and cold wax block sets were $45, will be on sale for half price at $22.

I hope you’ll stop by my artful home on Saturday and Sunday and experience three floors of art. My sister will be on hand to greet you, serve you a snack and cold drink, and assist you with purchases. My husband will be in the basement to show you my downstairs found object and assemblage studio (be sure and have him open cabinets and drawers for you), and I’ll be upstairs to share my oil and cold wax painting process.

Questions? Contact me via e-mail: dayna@daynajcollins.com/curele.

PS I’m hoping to have a “Square” in place to take debit and credit cards, but cash is always preferred and appreciated.

Scattered By the Wind: Not Quite the Final Post

I was going to make this my final post and update on my Scattered By the Wind Prayer Flag Project, but flags are still flying and being sold. Last Wednesday was the final reception and it was a huge success. Over 300 flags were hanging at the Project Space venue; by the time the reception ended at 8:00 pm, we had sold a total of 50 flags, which, when added to the 107 that had previously sold, totals 157 sold flags. Generous people have also been donating cash to the project, and that money is still coming in. I’ll share the final results of the project in a couple of weeks. Finally, I’m happy to share that there are two more opportunities for people to purchase flags (details at the end of this post). For now, I want to share photos from the First Wednesday final reception at Project Space.

My excellent crew of helpers: Spencer, Debra, and Tory. Howard was also helping, probably on a ladder attaching a red dot!

Howard in his element, surrounded by women artists!

The past two days I’ve been sorting the sold flags, packaging them for personal delivery, or preparing them to mail.

The good news is there are two more opportunities to purchase flags. The first is this coming Sunday, September 7, 12-4 pm in downtown Salem. The Salem Art Association will have a booth at the Salem Sunday Streets event and the remaining Scattered By the Wind flags will be available there.

The other opportunity will be the weekend of September 13-14th, from 10-4, when my studio will be on the Willamette Valley Open Studio Tour. I’ll be posting details about that in my next post.

Scattered By the Wind: Coming to a Close

My Scattered By the Wind project is coming to a close. It started in June and the final reception will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 5-8 pm. I have tracked the progression of the project through several blog posts, which can be seen by working backwards beginning with my July 17th post. I have also posted photos of all the flags received and created on my Facebook page: Scattered By the Wind. Flags are due by next Tuesday and then on Wednesday night, we celebrate!

As to today, here are the numbers:

198 flags have been sent or given out

131 flags have been returned

116 flags have been created at Project Space venue

28 flags created by me

Total flags flying: 275!

104 flags have been sold

$1,295 has been raised through the sale of flags and through donations made to the project

The final reception and celebration will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 5-8 pm, at the Project Space venue located in downtown Salem on the second floor of Liberty Plaza at 285 Liberty Street NE. Flags will be available for viewing and purchase ($10 each). All flags purchased will be released at 8:00 pm. Flags will also be available for pick up on Thursday, September 4th, from 11-1.

Scattered By the Wind: July Update

I have hardly had time to do an update on my Scattered By the Wind prayer flag project. In a nutshell, anyone can make a flag, which is then hung in downtown Salem at the Salem Art Association’s Project Space venue. Flags are for sale for $10 each, with proceeds going to art programming at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility. For more information on all of this, please check out my previous posts.

May 27, my initial post about the project

June 15, an update on the project

June 24, the idea to sell the flags

All three of these posts were done before I was even set up in my area at the Project Space venue in downtown Salem. Since getting set up, I have hosted a First Wednesday, two community flag making days (four more to go), and received dozens of flags. That’s what this post is all about. Here is what it looked like as I was moving in the first of July.

Then the fun began. The public was invited to make flags in July during the First Wednesday art walk and reception.

Even the City of Salem mayor stopped by and was captivated by my project.

I’ve hosted two community flag days. Here’s a look at the first, where so many great flags were created (and sampling of a few flags).

Then, last Thursday, a second community flag-making day (and again, just a sampling of the flags that were created).

To see all of the flags and more photos as the project progresses, please visit my Facebook page: Scattered By the Wind. Flags can be purchased by getting in touch with me to make payment and pick up arrangements.

Oh, I almost forgot. The most recent statistics for the project. Here they are:

Flags sent or given out: 177

Flags received back: 59

Flags hanging: 114

Flags sold: 47

There is still time to make a flag! They aren’t due back until the end of August, so shoot me an e-mail if you would like to participate: dayna@daynajcollins.com/curele.

Scattered By the Wind: An Update

My prayer flag project, which I outlined in a previous post, is gaining momentum. It officially begins in July, but I’ve been doing posts on Facebook about my project and inviting friends and acquaintances (or strangers) to join in by making a flag. So far, I’ve sent out and distributed about 100 flags, which means lots of ripping, ironing, and sewing is going on so I can send out the flags.

All of the flags will eventually be curated and strung together, then hung for the Salem Art Association Project Space opening reception on September 3. My initial idea had been that after the reception, I would contact the library or a school and see about having them hang somewhere public for a while. Then a friend asked if the flags would be for sale, which got my brain to swirling and I’ve decided that I’m going to sell the flags with proceeds going to the Salem Art Association’s art program at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility in Salem. I’ve also been invited to offer a class to the boys teaching them to make a prayer flag.

I’m thinking out loud here, but my thought is to sell the flags for $10 each, making them affordable to purchase. As of today, I’m thinking the flags will be available for purchase on September 3. More on all that later, but I’m excited to think that the flags will serve a greater purpose.

In the meantime, I’ve been painting and creating flags myself. I have three series going. One is crosses and cruicforms.

Another focuses on black and white (with a spice of red).

And finally, a whole series where I’m using vivid color and lots of line work.

Want to make a flag? E-mail me your name and address and I’ll send you prayer flag kit. I’ll even include a stamped, self-addressed envelope to make it easy to send your flag back to me: dayna@alleyartstudio.com

Scattered By the Wind: Prayer Flag Project

I was juried in as a participant of Salem Art Association’s Project Space and I’m excited to share what I’ve chosen to do. But first, a bit about Project Space and then details about my project.

The Project

Project Space is Salem Art Association’s dynamic, temporary and contemporary non-commercial art initiative, which offers artists a place for experimental art and interaction with the Salem community. Open June 3 to September 5, 2014, this year’s program will include openings on four First Wednesdays starting in June in addition to other receptions, performances and events.

My Project

I have long been intrigued by prayer flags and it is my intention to create a series of prayer flags, experimenting with various mediums and ideas, including repetition, painting, embellishments, words, themes, color, composition, and journaling. The tradition of Tibetan prayer flags dates back thousands of years. Traditional flags were stamped with prayers, mantras, and symbols then hung and left to flutter in the breeze, spreading wishes for happiness, long life, and prosperity.

Community Involvement

Along with my series of prayer flags, I’m inviting the community to join me in creating flags. This will be accomplished by invitation, requesting a flag, or by attending one of my open community days. Using fabric, paint, texture, images, and words, I will provide everything you need to create a prayer flag that will be strung with others to create strands of community flags that will be displayed at the Project Space venue on September 3. Community sessions will be held from 12-3 on the following dates:

Saturday, July 12

Tuesday, July 15

Thursday, July 24

Tuesday, August 5

Saturday, August 9

Thursday, August 14

All of these sessions will be held on the second floor of Liberty Plaza in downtown Salem.

Behind the Scenes

In preparation for creating all of these prayer flags, I had to cut and rip lots of fabric . . . . and I had to dig out my sewing machine and learn how to use it. Thank heavens it came with a DVD.

I became pretty proficient at sewing straight seams.

I have 131 flags all ready to be arted up.

Private Flags

In order to involve as many people as possible, I have put together personal prayer flag kits. The kit includes a piece of muslin cloth that can be embellished any way you want. There are no parameters, no limitations, nothing that is off limits. You can paint, use rubber stamps, write with felt pens, glue or sew on fabric scraps, add embellishments (buttons, ribbons, jewels . . . .). It is my hope that you will play and have fun creating a flag.

In the kit, I will include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for mailing your prayer flag back to me. I’ll need your flag no later than Friday, August 15, so I have time to string the flags together. Send me an e-mail if you would like to participate (dayna@alleyartstudio.com). I’ll be making a list of everyone who joins in, which I’ll have on display at the unveiling and reception on Wednesday, September 3.