ARTspiration! Online
Fifty ways our members are sharing their art during these unprecedented times
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We know this is a tough time when the healing value of the arts is so important. We encourage you to continue painting, writing, singing, sculpting, acting, strumming, filming. We invite you to film yourself displaying your art, conducting a workshop, reading a poem - sharing creativity in your own way - and send us your creation at [email protected]. Then check back here to see what has been created as we continue to build community during this period of social distancing and self-quarantining.
Prompts to Keep Writers Writing During Time of Quarantine and a Fun Way to Stay Connected
Writing prompt contributed by Sandwich Arts Allliance member and instructor Linda Maria Steele. Visit Linda's Website to see all that she does. Prompt 3: With the weather turning warmer take a pen and paper and head outdoors. You can simply sit in a chair in your own backyard. Open to a blank page and start writing. Set a timer for ten minutes and move your pen across the page. All you have to do is look up and around at the world that surrounds you. Sometimes, a specific writing prompt can be helpful because it can keep us from getting stuck. A writing prompt can offer new possibilities we hadn't thought of. Nature has so much potential for writing ideas and you can begin in your own backyard. Focus your attention on a bird on a branch. Begin with describing the type of bird and go from there. Is this a bird that visits often? Or you can let your imagination wander a bit, imagine there are two people there watching the bird and describe what they might say to each other. Or maybe you notice long shadows in your yard? Describe them on the page. Perhaps the breeze feels extra soft today. Get it all down on the page. Write for ten minutes and then as you look over what you wrote circle words or phrases that stand out as interesting or having energy for you. You can write more about those places later. For now, get what you observe outdoors down on paper. As for a fun way to stay connected--Plan to do this exercise with a friend. Choose a time where you both get outside and into your own backyard to write. Then plan a time to read what you wrote to one another over the phone. This is a fun exercise that I have done with friends and writing students over the years. The idea here is to read, listen and simply say thank you for what was shared from the page. Writing is always more fun when shared with another.
Just Imagine...
Chesterton Returns!
Local author Dean Coe is back reading to you from his Chesterton Collection of picture books for elementary students. The Sandwich Arts Alliance author and Titcomb’s Book Shop in Sandwich have collaborated to provide free at home listening of Coe’s stories. All five Chesterton books, recorded at the Cape Cod Community Media Center, have been narrated by the author, along with parent/teacher guides, and are available on line for home listening at Deancoebooks.com. Have a listen!
Quarantine by John Zmud
Arts Alliance member John Zmud shares with us his poem about the current situation, that may reflect what many are feeling during this time.
Each day melts into a stainless steel, sterile specimen tray,
scrubbed until it reflects our masked faces, then filed into place with all of the others that preceded it into a dark corridor that stretches endlessly in both directions, while on the floor lie crumpled plans anticipated and then delayed, not yet swept into our dust bins of unrealized expectations. Waiting, carefully heeding our own rules for self-preservation and communal responsibility, we venture out to where a lurking, unseen presence stalks cities, towns, and open spaces, grabbing its victims with a systematic randomness. We return to where a child dreams of flying over rooftops to see the grandparents one more time. Celebrating International Jazz Day
This is a free event open to the public. If you are able to help, the AFCC is asking for suggested donation through their Facebook page where you pick your own ticket price.
Chronicling the Times
Writing and the Value of a Good List
Writing prompt contributed by Sandwich Arts Allliance member and instructor Linda Maria Steele Prompt 2: If you want to write today, start by writing down a simple list or two. Writing a list can organize our thoughts and focus our mind. Writing lists can give us lots of topics to write about too.
To begin take out a blank sheet of paper and a pen or open a new tab on your computer. Begin with a simple list of five things you are grateful for then write down five things of goodness and beauty. If you want to keep going write down five things you have to do today and then write a list of five more things you have to do but do not feel like doing. Then write five things you miss most while in quarantine or the names of five people you can not wait to see. You can make a list of things you need from the store or five best (or worst) meals you've eaten in the past month. Write a list of five wish list items or favorite memories. If five comes easy for you then write lists of ten or twenty. Make up a new type of list that works well for you, like your favorite flowers or things you want to do over the summer. Name as many items as you can. Then look back over your lists. Read them out loud. Circle items that speak to you or seem to have a certain charge or energy for you. Then choose one of them to write more about. Begin with, "what I really want to say about this is....". Give yourself permission to get down on paper whatever comes to mind. Allow yourself to keep your pen moving across your page for at least ten minutes. If it helps, set a timer and do not stop until you hear the sound. "The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." - Terry Pratchett.
At-home Collaboration
SAA member and instructor, Linda Maria Steele shares a new poem from her next book Still Tending. Its called When Wren Visits. Linda read/wrote the poem, her daughter Bella played guitar, and daughter Sophia drew the cover art! Click and listen.
Haiku, Part 2
SAA member Bill Black is back with some of his original Haiku to share with our Arts Alliance community. Thanks, Bill!
Meet the Alliance Authors Series
Prompts to Keep Writers Writing During Time of Quarantine
Contributed by Sandwich Arts Allliance member and instructor Linda Maria Steele "While so many of us are spending lots of time at home, I'd like to share a weekly prompt with a few notes of encouragement to get you started and keeping your pen moving across the page." Prompt 1: Start where you are now. Look around your home. Let your attention land on a particular object or artifact that has meaning for you. Maybe it's an item you use every morning like the shiny blue toaster in the kitchen you got as a gift from your daughter last Christmas or maybe it's that special painting you hung in the living room that your husband gifted for your anniversary.. As you look around choose an item that you feel in some way also chooses you. Maybe the item has a story to tell you. Trust your intuition about the item you'd like to write about. Consider what object or artifact you have in your home that has a story to tell. Pull out pen and paper or open a fresh tab on your computer and begin. Get whatever comes to mind down on the page. Describe it in as much detail as possible, use all of your senses to describe it. If you get stuck simply write or type, "what I really mean to write about this is..." and go from there. You can always come back later and revise or edit. For now it's all about getting something down on the page. . "Start writing no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on," - Louis L'amour Story Time for the Weekend
What better way to end your days this weekend than by listening to local author Dean Coe's Chesterton Collection of picture books for elementary students. The Sandwich Arts Alliance author and Titcomb’s Book Shop in Sandwich have collaborated to provide free at home listening of Coe’s stories. All five Chesterton books, recorded at the Cape Cod Community Media Center, have been narrated by the author, along with parent/teacher guides, and are available on line for home listening at Deancoebooks.com. Have a listen!
Want to read along? Dean''s Chesterton books are available at Titcomb's book shop, on his website, deancoebooks.com, and right HERE in the SAA's newly launched book store.
In the time between...
Happy Birthday to...Piggy!
Literary Arts Group member, Margie McMahon, would like to share the release of her latest children's book, Sleep Tight, Piggy: A Happy Birthday Book. Available on Amazon, it makes a perfect gift for any little ones celebrating a birthday!
Reaching Out to Others...
Visual and Performing Arts members Linda and Manny Dias, who perform together as The Familiars, made a 45-minute music video that they sent to all the nursing homes and assisted living places that they normally play at in the Upper Cape, along with this touching message:
Haiku for You
SAA member Bill Black shared some of his writings with us. Here are several original Haiku for you today - watch for more to come!
Up to the challenge?!
The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has challenged fans around the world to recreate their favorite famous pieces of art while in isolation at home — and the results are genius. And some Arts Alliance members got in on the fun! Feeling inspired? Send your recreations to [email protected] and watch for them here.
Check out the Getty Museum Challenge - and some fantastic (and fantastically funny) results. 
'Blanket Chagall'
Rockwell Sunday Morning
Brian "Fishmonger" Kelly
RumbleWagon presents...
Greg Polanik shares a few clips from familiar Arts Alliance musicians, RumbleWagon, to get your toes tappin' this Tuesday. Enjoy.
Check out more RumbleWagon HERE.
Doodle to De-stress
An Art Blog for kids (and adults, too!)
Looking for something creative to do this weekend?
How I paint a watercolor...
1. Work with an image. In this case a photo of a snowy cranberry bog.
2. Create a small sketch to figure out the composition. 3. Tape to edges of the watercolor paper to a board. Start painting larger areas. Remember to avoid areas that need to stay white. 4. Put in the details. In this one, the trees and shadows, a few more cranberries at the bottom. 5. Let it dry. Pull off the tape for the completed painting. This one is called "Cranberries and Snow". It won an award in a show at the Cape Cod Art Center. Hidden Poems
Meet the Authors
An Inside Look
Looking for your Next Great Read to pass the time?
What's the deal with Rainbows?!
"Angels are Holding Her Hand", an original song by Christina Nordstrom
Visit the SAA Virtual Gallery
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Creative Capital (a 501(c)3 organization supporting individual artists) has created a list of resources for artists working in all disciplines, as well as arts philanthropists, and arts professionals who may be dealing with cancelled income and trying to make plans during uncertain times. Visit them here for helpful information.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS AND HELPFUL INFORMATION:
COVID-19 Relief Funds for Artists
AFCC Artist Grant: With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing local artists to cancel work for the foreseeable future, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) is stepping up to assist them by launching the Cape Cod Arts Relief Fund. Applications to the Cape Cod Arts Relief Fund will be available starting April 1st, at www.artsfoundation.org. One-time relief funds of up to $500 per individual artist will be distributed beginning in late April. Applicants must be artists who live, work, create, and/or perform on Cape Cod and have been financially impacted as a result of the pandemic. Massachusetts Cultural Council: Updated April 8, 2020 Mass Cultural Council believes in the power of culture, and we recognize that the work done by creative and innovative individuals is key to our vital communities. We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has caused major disruptions for the careers of individuals who earn income through their work in the cultural sector. In response, Mass Cultural Council has launched the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals. The purpose of the COVID-19 Relief Fund is to support individuals whose creative practices and incomes are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Grants of $1,000 will be available to Massachusetts individual artists and independent teaching artists/humanists/scientists who have lost income derived from their work as a direct result of COVID-19 related cancellations and closures. Program guidelines and online application are now available. The application deadline is April 22, 2020 at 11:59pm. Grants will be awarded by geographic region proportional to that region's application demand. The individual grantees in each region will be randomly selected. Grants will be unrestricted. Learn more and apply here Mass.gov Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for workers such as the self-employed, an independent contractor, gig economy worker, and freelancer, are now available. CLICK HERE for more info. 
Powered by Love Live Local and the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District, with help from our friends from the Brewster Chamber of Commerce, Harwich Chamber of Commerce, Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and Provincetown Chamber of Commerce the Cape Cod Resilience Fund will provide direct grants to small business owners on Cape Cod to offer some relief from economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cape Cod Resilience Fund will issue one-time grants of $500 to $2,000 to eligible Cape Cod small businesses with 1-20 full-time year-round employees to supplement day-to-day operational expenses such as rent, staff, supplies, inventory, marketing and training. Donations are currently being accepted. Look for the initial round of applications to open in early June 2020. |
