JULY 8, 1994

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

PAT YOUNG

ENTERTAINMENT

An ambitious yet incomplete picture of the goddess

by Doreen Cudnik

"Goddesses Among Us: A Celebration of Women's Passion and Creativity" held its opening on June 23 at the Idea Garage, 12418 Euclid Avenue, in Cleveland. The opening, designed to be an art "happening," was a success despite the steady stream of rain which split the attendees into two groupsone group indoors enjoying the works of art. and the other outdoors under umbrellas lis-

shrines, dedicated to Mother Earth, are built from layers of newspaper pulp and then embedded with objects such as shells, seeds, fur, wood, minerals and fungus. "As a teacher I use these materials with my students to hopefully give them an appreciation for the Earth."

The event would not have been possible without Ed Mieczkowsi, owner of the Idea Garage and visionary friend and mentor to all artists in this community. Described as “an angel" by Jean Grady, Mieczkowsi purchased

A gallery hopper connects with a painting by Gail Laba.

ter

ists

Cog

ing to entertainment by the Sacred Space Vomyn's Chorus, or Wildflower Band. "Goddesses Among Us" included an exibit of the work of 16 Cleveland-area artCarol Adams, Paula Blackman, Janice ger, Joan Deveney (Joan of Art), Donna ozda, Jo Folkman, Christine French, uzanne Gilbert, Jo Ann Giordano, Jacci ,lammer, Gail Laba, Nancy MansonBroadbent, Donna Jean Morris, Gayle Pritchard, Kathleen Totter-Smith, and E.M. Warson.

Dre

Jean Grady, curator and producer of the vent, explained: "The word goddess is a metaphor for a woman who has the courage put her vision out there. A goddess creates life according to her own vision, and wers only to herself. She is comfortable th her sexuality and with her power to reate the new, as well as destroy what is

ans

vorn out. Traditionally, there are many faces

to the goddess. So it is with this show. We

des

e as many expressions of the word gods as we have artists."

Grady, who is also a writer for Temenos

ournal, a monthly newsletter relating to

WC men's spirituality, was instrumental in

couting the artists for this event. She says 小 ic scouted artists not only for their art, but or their "character." The event was planned Ising the Gaia principle as a model for living harmony with the earth. No plastics were ased, recycling bins were available, and artsts contributed food as well as art. The alorie Gallery, a cafe and bakery at 3710 arnegie, also contributed finger foods for

the

event.

assion was a key word in this invitational now. Grady continued, "We assembled a verse group of artists whose works reflect feminine passion through an assortment of

etr

dia: painting, fibre, sculpture, music, poy, dance. Many of the artists created a new piec e specifically for this show."

.1.

Christine French, one of the women repreented, is a high school art teacher and sculptor. She says "My art reflects my past as well y present life. As a child, every spring I Would build shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I am no longer a practicing Catholic, but I am still building shrines." Her goddes:

the Idea Garage to provide

space for shows such as this one. Two years ago it was an industrial garage occupied by a tenant. When the tenant left, Mieczkowski decided to utilize the space as a place where local artists could generate ideas that might someday leave Cleveland and go elsewhere. "We're always so receptive to ideas that come to us, and hospitable to artists from other cities, but having a place where ideas are sparked is a shift in thinking." Ed teaches at the Cleveland Institute of Art. and maintains a home and studio next door to the Idea Garage.

Although the event was well attended by a very diverse group of people. the absence of art by women of color was apparent. None of the artists in the show were people of color, although African

and Native American themes seemed to be popular. Grady maintains that black artists were invited to participate in the show, but for a variety of reasons, none ended up in the final group. It was also obvious that the Sacred Space Womyn's Chorus was a predominantly white group, although seemingly fascinated with Native American spirituality. I was reminded of a poem "The First Supper" by Jane Evershed:

My sister Native American-I reach out

to you For yours is the way of Respect for the earth

My sister Africa-You, I embrace for yours is a compassionate race

My sister Asia-I look deep in your eyes Let us be strong together.

Yes, Sisters Chicano, Latino, Muslim and Jew.

I am white and I am woman

And I am tired of watching for centuries While my husbands, sons and fathers steal and pillage

Here I give back what I can

nei

It is not too late for us to make a ne World together.

We cannot sincerely speak about “Goddesses Among Us" without our sisters of color being fairly represented through their own art, words, and expressions. We, as white women, have our own culture to celebrate. Perhaps instead of imitating other culture's art we can instead provide a safe space and invite people of those cultures to share it with us.

An exciting upcoming event is the Goddess Quilt Project. Imagine a Goddess Quilt, with squares (or other shapes) from all over the world, depicting a myriad of visions of what goddess means. If you are interested in being part of creating the heart of the Goddess Quilt, leave your name and address on Jean Grady's voice mail, 999-1817, and you will be contacted with details of the first gathering. The project is being art-directed by Gayle Pritchard, who spearheaded the worldwide quilt project for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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