Category Archives: Events

Community Matters at San Jose City Hall, Reception Friday June 6

Posted on June 4, 2014 | Leave a comment

I was honored to be invited to participate in the Community Matters show at San Jose City hall. This show features SJSU art department alumni and will be open until October 1., 2014. I know several of the participants and am flattered to be included in such a talented group. These are the art students I would come home and tell Greg about. “They’re going to do something big,” I’d tell him and you’ll see by their work exactly what I meant.

Each of us has our own display area an, in addition to several of my better known artist’s books, you’ll be able to see a work that isn’t even on my website yet. Tentatively titled Elephants, it is a collection of artist’s books about family secrets. When the curator, Robin Treen, visited my studio she was excited about this piece and asked if I could have it finished in time for the show. “Sure!” I told her. And it was done at 2 a.m. the day of the install.

I hope you can join me on Friday, June 6th, between 4:30-6 p.m. for the reception.

~Ginger

http://www.gingerburrell.com

Can Art Make a Difference? New Book Release: Sandy Hook

Posted on October 18, 2013 | 3 comments

Often when I read about an event in the news I feel compelled to do something about it – make a donation, follow the details, make art about it. At the same time I feel frustrated that my efforts seem so small in comparison to the magnitude of the event. When the shootings occurred last December at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut I was horrified and heart-broken. I woke up worried about my beloved nieces and nephews as they went off to their schools every day. I thought endlessly about the families in Newtown who lost their children and those who gratefully held theirs extra tightly.

I’ve been to only one child’s funeral and looking at that small light blue casket was one of those moments when you think that such a thing should never be required. No one should make child-sized caskets and no parent should ever have to stand near one. Carter Pei didn’t quite make it to kindergarten. He isn’t still in this world, but I assure you that every person who met him still carries him in their heart. I often think of him and the joy he brought.

After Sandy Hook I imagined twenty families mourning their children. The parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, family friends – it’s really quite a never-ending ripple of people whose lives changed forever. And then I thought of the six teachers and staff members who gave their lives trying to protect “their” kids. I remember the teachers at my school and their protective mother lion instincts when it came to the children in their care.

And so I am thinking of it now as I tell you about a new book, Sandy Hook, which memorializes the twenty children and six staff members killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012. A combination of the desire to do something (all profits will be donated) and a frustration with our short social memory and the way that important events fade quickly led me to create this book.

In thinking how to represent the children and school staff who were killed, I settled on the idea of using teddy bears for the children and apples for the adults. After spending several days purchasing individual bears and apples, I began taking the school portraits. It got harder and harder as I worked on the book, and taking the group photo left me in tears. I couldn’t help but think of all the group photos those children will never be in: graduations, weddings and countless family portraits.

When I first started showing the completed book I was surprised at the reaction – people were angry. When I explained that all profits would be donated to the United Way fund for Newtown, people exclaimed “that they don’t need money!” But yes, they do. I know from my years of working with families that they will need money. Money for expenses, for counseling, lots and lots of counseling, and to rebuild their lives. But I thought about it and put the book away for a while.

I’m ready to release it now. I hope that it will be received in the spirit with which it is intended. It is a memorial. An attempt to make sure we don’t forget those children and adults and their families in the same way that we seem apt to do. It is also a fundraiser. I’m donating my time and materials. Sales of the books will go to the United Way fund. I’ll update you in December with how much I’ve been able to send so far.

Have you made art in response to an event in the news? Share it with us in the comments.

~Ginger

http://www.gingerburrell.com

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Posted in Artists' Books, Business of Art, Events, Personal Stories

Tagged Ginger Burrell, Newtown, Sandy Hook, United Way Fund for Newtown, www.gingerburrell.com

Art and Books Along the Way: Sitka Tango

Posted on October 2, 2012 | 1 comment

I’m thrilled to be back in the studio after three weeks of wandering through Washington, Vancouver and Alaska. I’ve got a lot going on! I’m working on a new series of books, titled Oculus, that I look forward to releasing at the Book Arts Jam in Palo Alto on October 20th.

I’m also getting ready to teach at the Palo Alto Art Center, two classes starting next week: Photographic Books and Photoshop Elements. Speaking of which, the Palo Alto Art Center is having their grand re-opening this Saturday, October 6th. I’ll be there with a make-and-take activity. If you want to come meet me in person and make a great little book to take home … be sure to come between 11:30 and 1:30 on this Saturday. I’ll give you more details in a blog post later this week.

Greg and I have recently returned from an exciting and extraordinary trip to Alaska. In addition to more than 4000 photographs that I’m just beginning to sort through, along the way we couldn’t help but collect images of artwork and stories about artists that I thought I’d share with you.

The first is a story about a dog. If you ever been to Alaska you know that dogs are a very big part of daily life there. Everyone we met had dogs, every business we went to had a resident dog, and sled dogs are part of Alaska’s heritage and sporting life. One of our favorite experiences in Alaska was to go to a sled dog camp to ride on a summer training sled and then play with the dogs and their puppies afterwards (photos above and below).

This story is about Sitka, Alaska where we met an artist and writer, Tracie Harang and her dog, Tango. We enjoyed meeting Tracie and petting Tango. They had a table set up to sell their books right outside of St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral.

Tracie told us about how she has collaborated with her children and Tango to create two children’s adventure stories. They plan an adventure and then photograph it along the way. When they get home they create these terrific books as a family project. We think the books will make a special gift for some children in our lives and thought you might like to check it out, too. It’s a great way to support a mom and artist who is bringing her children up as artists, too. More information and links below:

From Hearthside Books and Toys:

“Born and raised in Sitka, Alaska, Tracie Harang and her three children, Justin, Brady, and Grace are all authors, photographers, and illustrators of the Sitka Tango series. Tango, the family dog, is the hero of each adventure story by “saving the day” at the end of the books. Photography, history, life lessons, and adventure make these Alaskan children’s books a fun and educational read.

Our first book, Sitka Tango Explores the Causeway takes our readers on a kayak adventure near Sitka to explore WWII history. The idea to write a book was hatched while on a family trip to the Causeway 2 years ago. We were honored to be chosen as a silver award recipient by the national Mom’s Choice Award in January of 2010!

Our second book, Sitka Tango Journey to Juneau, Alaska follows Tango and his family as they ferry from Sitka to Juneau, ride the Mount Roberts Tramway, then hike and camp on top of the ridge! Readers learn about the importance of being prepared for surprises while hiking in Alaska. As a mom and author, Tracie’s goal with this series is to work with and teach her children about bringing an idea to life, and then marketing it. Working together, the Harang’s are excited to share their adventures with other families!”

Sitka Tango’s Website

About Sitka Tango

Buy a Sitka Tango Book

And because I can’t resist – a sled dog puppy photo. It took a great deal of self control (and “that” look from Greg) not to put this puppy in my camera backpack! This puppy was also, coincidentally, named Tango.