Tribe Report

'Martin de Vore'

Tribal Trail of Tears

Print Feb 6th

This past Saturday was the last Yale Street Arts Market to be held at the Kaplan's-Ben Hur location. It was quite a bittersweet event actually. It was like saying a final goodbye to an old friend. In that space, throughout the blistering inferno of summer and early fall, during the rain of Labor Day weekend and the pre-holiday excitement of November and December, many bonds were formed that I think will last a long time -- perhaps a lifetime. As a tribe, or as members of several tribes bound together in a monthly confederation, we forged something of our group identity there in that marketplace of our collective creative souls. That identity has continued to strengthen, to expand. Many of us who were once strangers there -- but fighting thirst, heat or fire ants together -- now fight (in the friendliest sense of the word) to sit next to each other at our gatherings at Onion Creek, Jimmy's or Casa Cohen, or at the events at Sippora, M2, Gallery 19 or The Studio Gallery. Hopefully, that same magic will continue as we move to the Market's new location on March 4th at 548 West 19th Street on the Wind Water Gallery parking lot. I hope so.

But enough reflection in the wee hours of a Tuesday! There's still this market to talk about and it was a good one! The weather was perfect and the crowds were large and consistent throughout the day. There were old friends and new faces. There was some really excellent art and some great music. It really couldn't have been a better day. Among those who were there (that I got to personally talk to at some point) were: Mitch, Carolyn, Michelle, Masoud, Rex, Elaine, Bird, Mark, Michael-Ann, Gordy, Sorange, Charity, Rico, Christian, Mary, Susan, Terrence, Marie, Max, Dori, Duke, Kim, Miko, Carrie Ann, Myra, Chip, Amy, Kate, Aimi, Lesa, Erica, Theresa and Phyllis.

One thing that was different (and kind of fun) at this Market was doing the live painting. Michael-Ann, Mitch, Carolyn and I did some painting on site. We all produced a few "keepers" but the fun part -- for me at least -- was watching people out of the corner of my eye as they watched us paint. Their questions were both interesting and amusing at times.

At the end of this Market, I sort of had the feeling that people were slower than usual to depart when it was over -- as if they were savoring the moment. I certainly did.

But now, it's time to get ready for the March 4th event. I certainly hope that my Thermoregulator brings lots of water and sunblock for that one.

Bamboo Anyone?

Following the official end of the Yale Street Arts Market on Saturday, there were quite a few hungry people. Especially artists. You know, artists are never really sure where the next meal will be coming from. Trust me on that one. Anyway, following the Market, a group of us headed over to Bamboo House at 540 Waugh to close out the evening. Feasting together were Mitch and Carolyn Cohen, Sorange and Angy Castillo, Michael-Ann Belin and Captain Gordy Tillman, Elaine Casey and myself. In the midst of the great food and conversation, the Artists At Large Overlord (Mitch) proclaimed that soon we would have another Wednesday night art meeting/Bacchanalian frenzy at Onion Creek. Can't wait, Mitch!

Random Announcements

OK, I surrender. I am now seriously considering moving from the Northern Frontier to either Montrose or The Heights. My lease is up on May 31 so that gives me a few months to find something that would suit me (and Gozer, of course). A one-bedroom, garage apartment, studio -- I really don't care as long as it has cable availability, air conditioning and isn't a roach motel. So, if any of you stumble across something in the next month or so, let me know at: mldevore@houston.rr.com

This just in from Paul Rowntree: "Finally after an excruciating few months, I have a Web site, well almost. It's up and running but I am still tinkering with it. Comments would be welcome." To check out Paul's new Web site go to: www.paulrowntree.com

Dune Patten just e-mailed me to let me know that he has just been invited to participate in an two-month long exhibition at Prairie View A&M titled CHURCH, INC. CHURCH, INC. is a response to the commercialization of the church as an institution. This show examines relationship between big business and the small religious patron. The artists in this exhibit investigate the presence of the church within the African American community and presently how the church functions in poor men, women, children and neighborhoods lives? Church, Inc. also explores ideas that surround post-Diaspora spirituality, the contemporary construct of the megachurch, politics, gospel music, images of Christ, and the relationships that exists within and outside of the institution that has been, for decades, the cornerstone of the African-American community.

Thanks again to all of you who e-mail me to let me know what's coming up or what you thought about that week's Tribe Report. I appreciate your taking the time to do that.

Mixed Nuts

On Saturday, Feb. 11, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., get kinky and attend "Mixed Nuts" at M2 Gallery. Yeah, I know. A lot of you will be going to the Kinky Friedman fundraiser. But, you CAN still stop by for a generous sample of "Mixed Nuts" -- nearly 100 pieces of art on display in fact -- from your fellow artists of all tribes on the way and still have plenty of time to do both. The art is unusual, dangerous, diverse and just the thing to put you in the right frame of mind before heading off to get kinky. That doesn't work for you? OK, how about this....stop by M2 AFTER you have been to the Kinky fundraiser. Those who arrive later in the evening at M2 get to sample both "Mixed Nuts" AND a fashion show that will also be held beginning at 10:30 p.m. Hmmmm..."Mixed Nuts," Kinky and a fashion show. Sounds like one interesting Saturday night to me. As always, a great assortment of food and drink will be on hand and I have heard that Capt. Gordy Tillman will be tending the bar dressed up like a Renaissance seafarer. The famous M2 punch will also be on hand I hear -- both versions. And be sure to check out Michael-Ann Belin's paintings of our tribe members Michelle Macy and Charity Snider! "Mixed Nuts" will run from now through Feb. 26. For more information, call (713) 861-6070 or visit the M2 Web site at www.m2-houston.com M2 is located at 325 W. 19th in The Heights.

Love

After "Black and White," "Red" and "Ancient Language," there is no way in hell that I am going to miss the "Love" show at Sippora.

What do I expect? Well, actually, at Amy's place, I think I expect the unexpected. I would not be surprised in the least if there were flying puti on hand, assorted cherubs, Aphrodite, Venus, Romeo and Juliet, Arwen and Aragorn, Guinevere and Lancelot or any of the other great loves of legend. Damn, I should have lived in those days....

Anyway, whatever else may happen there in Amy's Love Shack, "Love" will definitely be in the air at Sippora on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. "Love" will feature the art of Van McFarland, Simone Woodage, Candice Goodwin, and Lonnie Duff so it will be a good show. Show your support for love and all its glories by coming dressed for the occasion. Wear red -- red lipstick, fingernails, toenails and shoes. Wear red ties, thongs, jewelry or corsets. Paint your face red -- as red as a tick about to pop. Better red than dead (emotionally or metaphorically)!

Sippora Gallery is located at 234 West Gray, between Montrose and Downtown Houston. For more information, call Amy at (713) 520-1085 or visit the Web site at www.sippora.com

What's Love Gotta Do With It?

I don't know actually. You had better ask Dune or Nathaniel since on Feb. 10, they, along with Sharon McAtching, Amos Garcia, Ludmilla Boklonova-Boyce, and Veronica Redd, will have a Valentine's kick-off artshow titled, "What's Love Gotta Do With It?" at Dominion Post Oak. Dune says, "It will be new works by all artists and never seen before small-scale works by yours truly, Dune-Micheli. So, all you art lovers, or simply lovers, come out to this evening of art and romance at Dominion Post Oak!!! Valet parking is provided." If you get the chance, check out this show. It will make Dune happy if you do. And, the art will be good -- I guarantee it.

The Red Show

Not in the mood for love? Ok, that's cool. But what about red? If the love of red art (but not red as in Lenin, Marx, Che, Fidel or Mao) is coursing through your body like red corpuscles, then check out the Red Show at Gallery 19 on Friday, Feb. 10, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Join Heidi, Kyle, Kate, Jill, Xsemaj, David and the many other fine Gallery 19 artists as they deck out the entire gallery in red. I can't wait to see what Xesmaj comes up with for this show. Gallery 19 is located at 327 W. 19th Street in The Heights, in between Yale and Ashland. For more information, call (713) 426-2414 or visit the Gallery 19 Web site at www.gallery19.org

Lost Rivers

Achtung! Beginning on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 17:00 to 19:00 hrs, Sharon Kopriva's "Lost Rivers" exhibition will be on display at Zeitkunst Gallerie in Halle, Germany. Gus says, "You are invited to attend an art exhibition by Sharon Kopriva aus Houston, Texas & Hope, Idaho. "Lost Rivers" runs through March 24, 2006. Zeitkunst Gallerie is located at Kleine Marktstrasse 4 in Halle.

Benches in Bellaire...

On a semi-recent Friday evening, Gus Kopriva sent me this from Don Goodell of the Bellaire Arts Commission to pass on, so here it is as received: "The City of Bellaire recognizes that public art is one element that will enhance the sense of community. A plan was proposed by the Bellaire Arts Commission that would solicit designs from professional artists for artistic and fanciful benches that would be placed in several areas around town. We encourage you to pass on this creative challenge for public art for the City of Bellaire to any artists you think may be interested. It is with great anticipation that the Bellaire Arts Commission looks forward to hearing from the creative and talented artists in the community." For more information, call Cindy Cozewith at (713) 661-1807. I couldn't find a City of Bellaire Web site that had the Adobe Acrobat pdf file of the artists' information available, so if you are interested, e-mail me at mldevore@houston.rr.com and I will send you the pdf file.

Winter Street

You know what? Winter Street is cool. There are a lot of excellent artists there and it's a great place to hang out and visit when they have open houses. And let's not forget the art! For example, you might want to check out the Chong-OK Matthews Exhibition in the Gallery that runs through February 22. On February 25, the Periwinkle Foundation presents the Texas Children's Cancer Center's "Making A Mark" fundraiser -- a worthy cause and one worth supporting! As many of you are aware, Winter Street is home to a lot of artists from our tribes that we all know including (but definitely not limited to) John Mercado, Jerrie Glidden, Richard Varela, Solomon Kane, Amy Ferrari, Alex Wilhite, Nicola Parente, Van McFarland, Dan Fischer, Alix Dunn and many many more. Winter Street Studios is located at 2101 Winter Street in Houston. For more information, call (713) 862-0082 or visit their Web site at www.winterstreetstudios.com

Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls is off and running. The event will be held March 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both the Lawndale Art Center and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. A call to craftsmen/artists for cereal-sized bowls is now being made. The drop-off of bowls will begin during the last week of January. See Marie Weichman's Web site at www.mwstudiogallery.com. for more details -- use the Empty Bowls link there for even more info. Here's an advisory from Marie: "By the way ... the site does mention an art auction of non-bowls items, but we are keeping it small, about 20 selected artists in the community. I really really hope no artist takes offense to this. I'd love to see what some of you create in a bowl. They don't need to be functional either ... think painted paper folded origami style into a bowl!! We've had quilted bowls, fuzzy bowls, perforated bowls, wood, clay, glass -- everything. The donated bowls are sold with soup in exchange for a $20 donation and the entire event benefits the Houston Food Bank. Remember, they have been desperately drained after providing for the Katrina and Rita victims."

Coda

Remember, I am not Merlin so if you have a show or event coming up that you want me to mention you have to send it to me. So, e-mail me at: mldevore@houston.rr.com

That's it for now.

Until then, keep creating art, viewing art, buying art and supporting your fellow artists of all tribes.

Martin L. de Vore is an artist and journalist living in Humble, TX. Mr. de Vore is a member of the Artists At Large and Post-Diversionist tribes and enjoys driving all over Montrose on Sunday afternoons looking for apartments and ordering shortbread cookies at the Starbucks drive-through window on the corner of Gray and Shepherd.

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