The Scattered By the Wind Prayer Flag Project is in full swing and I’m not even set up in the Project Space site in downtown Salem. I started promoting the project via my blog and Facebook at the of May and it has taken off. So far:
137 flags have been distributed (eight states plus Canada and UK)
26 flags are in process or have been completed by me
21 flags have already been returned
10 have sold!
My project officially opens July 1, when I’ll be setting up a small studio area at the Project Space site on the second floor of Liberty Plaza in downtown Salem (285 Liberty Street NE). The space will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 am – 3 pm (but if you want to see me, check first to make sure it is a day that I’ll be there!).
I’m hoping to get this far corner, which will give me space for work tables and plenty of room to hang strings of flags. Can’t you just see the flags draped across the back corner?
In the meantime, my original idea was to string the flags together, display them for the opening reception on September 3, and then contact the library or a school to see about hanging them for more to see and enjoy. Well, things began morphing and new ideas started to flow. Now, instead of keeping the flags together, I’ve decided to sell the individual flags with proceeds going to the Salem Art Association’s art program at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility (serving young men ages 12-25). Also, as part of the emerging plan, I’ll be going into the facility and teaching a group of young men how to make prayer flags.
Again, plans have been evolving. Once I decided to sell the flags, I originally thought they would be sold at the opening (and final) reception on Wednesday, September 3. Then I decided I would be part of the August 6 reception and sell them there as well. BUT THEN, I decided why wait until the receptions to sell the flags. Not everyone will be able to attend either of the receptions, so I decided to offer the flags for sale now. I’ve set up a special Facebook page: Scattered By the Wind, where I share photos of the flags as they are received, as well as photos of the flags I am creating. When you see a flag you want, you just contact me with the name of the artist who created the flag, then send me $10 along with your address. The flag is yours. However, since all of the flags are part of the exhibition, they won’t be mailed until after the September 3 reception.
All of the flags that have been completed can be seen at the Scattered By the Wind Facebook page, but I wanted to give you a little taste of some of the flags.
And finally, if you don’t want to make a mess at home or in your studio but you want to create a flag for the project, I have scheduled six community days where you can come down to Project Space and use all of my materials and supplies. Come join me from 12-3 on one of the following days:
Saturday, July 12
Tuesday, July 15
Thursday, July 24
Tuesday, August 5
Saturday, August 9
Thursday, August 14
There is still time to have me send you a flag if you prefer to participate by mail. Send me an e-mail with your address and I’ll put a flag kit in the mail to you: dayna@daynajcollins.com/curele