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Rossitza Todorova & Kelly Bidegum
From: To: a study of space and commuting
February 9 – April 2, 2009
Opening Reception, Thursday, February 19th from 6 to 8pm at the Mckinley Arts & Culture Center
From: To: a study of space and commuting is a collaborative exhibition of artwork by Carson City photographer, Kelly Bridegum and Reno artist, Rossitza Todorova. Comprised of both artist’s individual artwork this exhibit was inspirited by the artists’ daily 45min drive though the high desert of Washoe Valley.
Bridegum and Todorova commute for work in opposite directions on HWY 395. One drives from Reno to Carson City the other Carson City to Reno at about the same time, day-in and day-out through sun, snow, and wind. Each day’s long commute inspires new visual images for both artists.
Bridegum and Todorova depict the commute in their own unique styles. Photographs by Bridegum, strong in their since of place, story and texture will be displayed in contrast to Todorova’s sweeping black and white desert landscapes.
Directions: Mckinley Arts & Culture Center is located at 925 Riverside Drive, Reno, NV 89503. MapTo view a gallery of my artwork please visit www.rossitza.net for artwork by Kelly Bridegum visit www.staringthroughleaves.com
I am currently participating in the “6 Sides 2 Every Story” art collaboration organized by Candace Nicol. This project is funded by grants from the Nevada Arts Council, and Sierra Arts Foundation.
Candace introduces the project by saying, "As humans, we have the incredible ability to perceive the same events as completely different happenings. This collaboration project will give consideration to these individual points of view."
"Participants are asked to illustrate their own individual perspectives by carving one side of a wooden cube. Each cube will represent one current issue found in a national/international article, internet posting, or magazine. This project will expand across the United States, starting with 100 (2"x2"x2") cubes, 600 participants."
I began Cube 16 based on the second oil pipeline proposed to be build through Alaska, "Alaska Now Has 2 Gas Pipeline Proposals" http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1998861/posts The participants of this cube are as follows:
Rossitza Todorova - Nevada — theme originator
Melanie Yazzie - Colorado
Leslie Benson - Colorado
Todd Christensen - New Mexico
Helen Baribeau - Colorado
Susie Mitchell - Colorado
The sides of each cube will be printed and framed for exhibition. A book of the prints is slated for later this year.
Dear friends, colleagues, artists, and arts supporters,
The Nevada Governor’s Office has recommended a 50% reduction for the Nevada Arts Council (NAC) budget for each year of the FY10-11 biennium. A cut this deep signals serious consequences to your NAC grants, programs, and professional development services from which you, your organizations, and your community benefit.
I'm writing to ask for your help.
Should the Governor’s proposed reduction go through, the following are very real scenarios?
• The Nevada Arts Council grants would be reduced by 50-80 percent.
• Funding for programs like Circuit Riders (art consultants) and Professional Development Grants could be exhausted by fall, 2009.
• Challenge Grants funding major institutions like the Nevada Museum of Art will be eliminated for two years.
• Outreach programs such as Tumblewords, Traveling Exhibition Program which bring high quality visual and literary arts to Nevada’s rural communities will be suffer suspension and/or marginalization.
• NAC will layoff staff, including my position, Community Arts Development Associate, working with Nevada Arts Organizations around the State.
This is a very real threat to our state’s cultural infrastructure.Please let your legislators hear from you by doing the following two things.
1. Come to Carson City on Thursday morning, February 5, from 9 – 11 a.m. Quite simply, we need to pack the room with NAC grantees, constituents and artists. Your physical presence is vital, whether you speak or not.
2. Contact your Legislators and tell them that the arts matter in Nevada.Write to them via http://capwiz.com/artsusa/nv/state/main/?state=NV or call:
Senate Finance Committee
Senator Bernice Mathews 775-684-1433
Senator William Raggio 775-684-1419
Assembly Ways and Means Committee
Sheila Leslie 775-684-8845
Debbie Smith 775-684-8841
Heidi Gansert 775-684-8837
Tom Grady 775-684-8507
Pete Goicoechea 775-684-8573
Talking Points
Comments should/may address economic impact and diversification (jobs, payroll, taxes, etc), access and participation, cultural tourism, arts education, services to populations typically underserved and community vitality.
Your message should be clear – Nevada’s investment in the arts for more than 40 years through the Nevada Arts Council has been good use of public dollars and continuation of public funding for the arts is essential in Nevada. AND artists count as taxpayers and entrepreneurs.
Your voice is critically important. Again, this is a very real threat to public funding for the arts—not only here in northern Nevada, but throughout the state.
Remember the recent student demonstrations on behalf of higher education? Legislators saw and heard their message; it is now time to deliver the same message on behalf of the arts.
Higher education is the brain of Nevada, the arts are Nevada’s heart. Don’t leave Nevada without a mind and soul.
As always, thank you for your personal support - Rossi
