CULTURALLY
SPEAKING
By
Cornelia Seckel
ART TIMES January/February
2007
By the time you
read this column we will have begun our “down time” to begin our catching
up, exploring and relaxing. Maureen will be in the office most
days, and I am available by email. The next issue is the March Issue and
the office will reopen fully on February 5. If you have missed our deadline
for this issue and want to have an ad or calendar listing on our website,
send an email and we’ll let you know what the charge would be. Generally
I will be able to upload the information within several days.
(L
to R) Guest performer Cyndi Lauper, foundation founder Judy Shepard
and evening host Tipper Gore at the reception after the Matthew
Shepard Foundation Event Honoring The Laramie Project at Town Hall,
NYC.
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In
October, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student at
the University of Wyoming in Laramie, was tied to a split-rail fence just
outside of town, beaten, and left to die. This was the result of
an anti-gay hate crime. Taking the grief of their loss, Matthew’s parents,
Judy and Dennis Shepard, founded the Matthew Shepard
Foundation to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his
dreams, beliefs, and aspirations. The Foundation seeks to "Replace
Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its
varied educational programs, and by continuing to tell Matthew's story.
There are a number of programs that address these goals: The “Erase
Hate” project includes: “The Legacy of Matthew Shepard”, an ongoing
public speaking effort by Judy Shepard who has shared Matthew's values
of respect and dignity for others by having speakers address over one
million people at colleges, high schools, universities, churches, businesses,
and symposiums worldwide; The Hate Crimes Legislative Program which
leads the effort for Congressional passage of the Hate Crimes Bill;
and The “Small Bear, Big Dreams”, a Pre-K-12 educational program
that teaches the values of respect for all people and acceptance of individual
differences. The Matthew Shepard Foundation "Equality" Project
works for the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT)
equality by educating the GLBT and allied communities on the issues that
affect them and providing them ways to take action. “Youth First”
Project's main objective is to provide resources and tools that are available
locally to young people, service providers and educational institutions,
as well as highlight the importance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender,
questioning and queer (GLBTQQ) youth. The goal is to ensure that GLBTQQ
and allied youth have a significant voice and resources in the movement.
There are numerous other programs and more information is available at
their website: www.matthewshepard.org. I attended an evening sponsored
by the Matthew Shepard Foundation celebrating what would have been Matthew’s
30th Birthday but primarily to honor The Laramie Project,
its creators Moises Kaufmann and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project with the “Making a Difference”
Award. Soon after Matthew was killed, the Tectonic Theater Project went
to Laramie and interviewed community members on six different occasions
before compiling the play that recounts the reactions and thoughts of
people in the town of Laramie. This play has been produced more than 5,000
times by High Schools, Colleges, Community Theaters, and mainstream Theater
Groups around the world. The play is a powerful emotional tool in creating
opportunities to create dialogue and explore how hate impacts all aspects
of society. The event, a fundraiser, took place at Town Hall in NYC on World Aids Day.
A vibrant Tipper Gore, the honorary chair and host for the evening,
praised the Foundation/Judy Shepard for her role in opening the minds
of people around the world. Cyndi Lauper gave a special performance
and tribute and then Judy Shepard spoke of her long-term goal of not needing
the organization to exist. She is a powerful, humble, and accomplished
speaker who expressed her appreciation for the support given the Foundation.
It is human stories that drive change and that is why The Laramie Project has been so powerful. We saw an abridged play reading performed
by Stockard Channing, Cyndi Lauper, Joshua Jackson,
Judith Light, Robert Desiderio, James Murtaugh, Van
Hansis, Chad Allen, and others. Such a sincere and honest depiction
— so powerful and poignant and yet so much more work needs be done.
![](couple%20hanging.jpg)
River Stone Arts,
Haverstraw, NY just before the opening
of their current exhibit “Art in Haverstraw” |
I
stopped at River Stone Arts in Haverstraw to see their space and
to see the current exhibit which is a group showing of paintings and sculptures
by Chakaia Booker, Michael Burke, John Clement, Joel
Graesser, Claes Hake, John Henry, Caspar Henselmann,
Anita Huffington, Eric David Laxman, Dawn Linden,
Steve Linden, Peter Lundberg, Michael Manjarris,
Deborah Masters, Mark di Suvero, and Nanny Vonnegut.
I was particularly taken by Dawn Linden’s large oils showing intimate views of nature — almost surrealistic
and with the miniature golf working sculpture by Steve Linden. The space is huge (10,000
sq feet), well lit, and versatile. This stone building houses an antiques
showroom, a branch of the Rockland Community College, and the gallery.
This is all part of the plan backed by Ginsburg Development Corporation
to enliven and enrich Haverstraw. For more information about the
gallery contact Rachel Yarmolinsky at 917-532-3090.
Galleries,
schools, and organizations begin and end, and it is with regret that we
have learned that Yellow Bird Gallery in Newburgh has closed. This innovative space was a great asset
to the art venues of our region and most specifically to Newburgh. On
the other hand we are pleased to learn about the Hudson Valley Artists
League in Beacon, NY, which
was established by Paul W. McCormack to provide a structured workshop curriculum. Featuring classes for
all skill levels, HVAL’s unique program provides a path of study which
encompasses the spectrum of the tried and proven methods of traditional
realism. Instructors include Paul W. McCormack, J. Brian Townsend
and Timothy Jahn. For more information www.hudsonvalleyartistsleague.com or call 845-231-1021. We
wish them great success.
![](richild%20&%20bel.jpg)
Bel Kaufman
(l) and Richild Holt (r) at the National Arts Club,
NYC Grand Gallery. Holt's portrait of Kaufman was included in
Holt's exhibit “A View of Life New York and Love of the Soul”.
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Our
Editor, Raymond J., Steiner, will be giving a lecture at the Bruce
Museum of Arts & Science in Fairview, CT on Monday, February 26
at 10:00A.M. in conjunction with their Exhibit, “Painterly Controversy:
William Chase and Robert Henri” (Jan27—Apr 29). Steiner will
give a brief history of the Art Students League of New York with
special focus on the personalities of Chase and Henri.
That’s
it for this month. Check our website for any new editorials from the Publisher
or Editor.
Art
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