Sweetroot Artists’ Collective
Sweetroot Studios, Copyright 2009 ♥
The show was a success! This time we hired a photographer and cinematographer to document the happenings of show day. The comment most utter by those who came, “When will you be here again, tomorrow, next week, next month?”
Those who came to the show were treated to drinks, snacks, a film focused on social justice and music. Visitors were folks who walked by and heard something a brewing and others who received invitations. The space was perfect for sitting, talking, drinking and not only did our guests purchase some chic goods but some stayed for hours to hang out! Even the self-proclaimed Prince of Petworth dropped by asking how he could promote the next event. Please stay tuned for video.
May Sweetroot Grow: The May 2009 Show
Post-Op ReflectionThe inspiration to have the Sweetroot Collective show was in fact anything but inspirational. The idea followed my logic and motto regarding house work. When I think the house needs a top to bottom cleaning or a room or three needs repainting I plan a party. I give myself just enough time before the party day to paint the walls, clear out the old, rearrange altars and get down on my hands and knees to clean the hard wood floors. And for an entire day I have a newly cleaned home that has been mildly remodeled. House duties accomplished, the space is ready for company who will most certainly scuff the paint, spill drinks and I might even lose a few doorknobs.
With that same logic I decided to launch an art show in my home and not just to rearrange furniture but to force myself to get back into the process. While I would love to say that seven thousand muses are pressing against my studio/bedroom walls, waiting to enlighten me up, I can’t hear them. Sometimes the business of art work is in fact work. Meaning, pushing forward when materials run low, moving ahead when sleep calls and skipping meals to prep for the next day’s hopeful breakthrough. With the May show I figured if I put a call out for artists, set a date and made a promise to people I admired and respected I would have to show and prove. So after almost two years of taking an art break I resumed my 9-5 mission to pump out the work. Even if the muses did not come calling I fell back on technique and the skills I’d acquired after years of trial and error. Even better I roped my friends into the endeavor, one even promising to travel from Atl. on her shoestring budget.
In the midst of doing the work I was organizing, making fliers and counting on creative genius of those who decided to enlist in my experiment. Four months in the making I questioned my decision to embark on this project. “Who was I kidding? What if no one showed up with their work or worse what if no one showed up to see or buy their work?” The list of questions and doubts keep me up at night and the idea of calling it off crossed my mind but that would make me a punk in my own eyes. So I keep going.
As it turned out the work came in. The house was transformed; I might have even lost a pound or two moving all the furniture to the attic and the one room in the house that was off limits to “the public”. With almost zero press or public relations the seeds of Sweetroot seemed to take hold. Day by day the doubts were peppered with excitement. As I started to unearth my neglected studio I found that I had some stuff I thought might be worth at least a second glace. I also added my own new strange collection of wands, magic rocks and a variety of weird odds and ends. The energy of the Sweetroot space doubled, tripled and buoyed my spirits as Marcia Duvall, Annmarie Evans, Missy Klectic, Alliah Humber, Anika Moore, Zawadi, Sherri Depollar and Leila Wright rolled in. Not only did they bring their shine but after two weeks of rain even the sun decided to join us. And my Top Girls were on it Anika Trahan, Peri Frances, Patrice Parker, Brenda Mama Randolph and even my then 89 year old grandmother. Head Roc spread the word, raised money for Jah Sounds and everyone created an energy so high that I was humbled and happy.
I do not know how much money or sales anyone made. I do know that folks cheered the dj, kids ruled the back yard, laughter was heard for at least seven hours straight and there was magic. As the day started to wind down and folks began to break down their stations or mini-stores I took a breath. In doing so I thought to myself, “did it, but don’t know if I can do that again.” After the clean up, I noticed my inventory was depleted and I can only hope others had this happy problem. Not only was I outta all the work I had made and saved for such an event but a Top Girl called asking that it all happen again in Atlanta, another TG wanting a Baltimore show and another a U street showing. So all that to say, it was a great exercise in getting off my ass, cleaning my house, and getting folks together. Not bad for a mid-May event that started out as a mayday call to my inner artist who I thought was at best sleeping. I have no idea what is next. My unfinished paintings are staring at me and I wonder is this a beginning or a blip on the Sweetroot ride.
Sweetroot Collective 