Community and Conversation

Posted on May 28, 2012 by

“A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I love books, but I am a believer in genuine conversations. I believe that great things happen from small, honest dialogue.

Through some great conversations over the past few weeks, I was offered the responsibilities of director at Fletcher Place Arts and Books. I am excited about this opportunity and a little intimidated to follow in the footsteps of Christie.

Christie McNabb has done such a great job–from opening the gallery in October to organizing amazing local artists to creating a space where people feel comfortable coming in and sharing a good book. Throughout this transition, Christie has been so helpful and supportive. Thank you, Christie! Good luck in your new adventures!

To share some background information, I teach public middle school full time, and I love it. Before I started teaching, I worked in a community service non-profit managing the office and organizing volunteers for service projects. Community, arts and books have always been a part of my life in some way, and as a Fletcher Place resident, I feel working with Fletcher Place Arts and Books brings it altogether.

Through this transition, I ask you for the following:

  • patience–I’m exploring different type of events that will suite FPA&B, please be patient
  • ideas–What do you want to see at FPA&B or in your neighborhood?
  • time–Do you want to volunteer for special events or lead a book club?

Thank you for your support of the gallery. It’s a special place, and I hope to continue the work that has been started.

–Julia Phoebus
fpartsandbooks@gmail.com

 

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The Gallery presents: My Neighborhood, Our City

Posted on April 27, 2012 by

One of our core values from the beginning has been “community.”  This is a very broad term that covers a variety of things.  For us, it means both being a resource for the community as well as a place that supports the good things that are already happening in our city.

And there are a lot of great things happening in Indianapolis.  There is an overwhelmingly high number of profits that call the city home, and many of them focus on the city, addressing anything from urban to poverty to agricultural issues.

We are excited to introduce two such organizations.  Rebuilding the Wall and Lyn House both work within urban neighborhoods near downtown Indy to help break cycles of poverty and address other issues that negatively affect urban populations.  They will be presenting My Neighborhood, Our City, a collection of photographs taken by students.  The students live in the neighborhoods that these organizations work with and are part of a class called the Viewfinder Project.  Through the class, theyget to see the city through a whole new lens as well as have the opportunity to express themselves artistically.

A reception will go from 6-9p and the artists will be present and prepared to discuss their work with visitors; light refreshments will be served.  Please join us in celebrating these young artists and their work!

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FPA&B Welcomes: Creative Writing Night

Posted on April 17, 2012 by

This Friday, students from the University of Indianapolis are partnering with Fletcher Place Arts & Books to host a Creative Writing Night.

The night will start off at 4:30 p.m. with a Storytelling Workshop run by J. D. Gray.  At 5:15 we will have a Poetry Workshop with Benjamin Bernthal.  We will finish out the workshops with Tony Mescall running a Songwriting Workshop.

Local singer/songwriter, Tony Mescall.

All workshops are free to attend and you can pick and choose which ones you attend.

Paper will be provided, but feel free to bring computers/notebooks.

The open mic will start at 7 p.m. with free pizza and drinks. Guests are encouraged to read their work they have created that night or past works.

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FPA&B Welcomes: Christopher J. Boghosian Films

Posted on April 12, 2012 by

This Friday, April 13th, Fletcher Place Arts & Books is excited to welcome Christopher and Joletta Boghosian.  The two, as part of Christopher J. Boghosian Films, will be discussing their latest project, a love story to be filmed in Indiana.  The event will serve as a fundraiser for the film; all are invited to attend and get in on this creative process.  Event starts at 7p and light refreshments will be served.

About Christopher J. Boghosian Films

The mission at Christopher J. Boghosian Films is to make beautiful, intelligent, honest and captivating films.  Through a synthesis of highly personal work with constructive collaboration, they transcend both subjective and objective points-of-view, resulting in a uniquely valuable work of art.  They envision becoming highly influential and well-establihed film artists that not only produce ground breaking films, but also contribute wisdom, resources and encouragement through education and mentorship.

Christopher J. Boghosian Films was launched in 2008.  Since then they have created twelve short films including Fade to Red, First Light, and Jasmin and Josephine, which were featured at the Arpa International Film Festival in years 2008, 2009, 2010, respectively.  The short films of our intensive, 7 Films, 7 Weeks, are available for viewing on Follow my Film.  Our first feature film, Girlfriend 19, was recently completed in 2012 and is currently in consideration at prominent film festivals across the country.

CJ Boghosian with actors on the set of Girlfriend 19.

Their newest film is a love story that explores the beauty and enigma of two people being drawn together as they help one another overcome personal fears.  They will take the classic love story and strip away gratuitous drama, conflict and emotions, leaving a pure focus on two people falling in love. To do this they will use a resource-based filmmaking process in which we are inspired by the people, places and finances available to them. With a small crew they can harness the flexibility and simplicity of modern digital filmmaking. This artistic and innovative approach will enable them to make the unique film that we feel called to make, utilizing unconventional camera work, editing and sound design.

They hope to film primarily in Wabash, but are also considering locations in Ft. Wayne, Marion, Silver Lake and Warsaw.  They will invite nearby residents to apply for crew positions and audition for supporting actor roles.  Upon completion of the project, they will have premieres in the cities represented in their project.  They will also submit the film to festivals.

The film is fiscally sponsored through Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) public charity.  They are attempting to raise $30,000 through grants and tax-deductible gifts from individuals.  Donations can be made online here.

For more info, contact Joletta Boghosian: jolettaboghosian@yahoo.com.

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The Gallery presents: Reflections feat. Hirschten, Nimtz, House

Posted on March 24, 2012 by

April showers bring May flowers, they say.
April also brings an incredible collection of work by three local artists–Addie Hirschten, Beka Nimtz, and Marie House.  The exhibit, accurately titled Reflections, expresses each artist’s unique way of viewing this world and their place in it.  Their pieces explore the nature of reflection, both literally and figuratively, and are certain to inspire, encourage and provoke new perspectives.

Meet the artists:

Addie Hirschten

Addie Hirschten is a painter, writer and professional storyteller who recently moved to Indianapolis in 2011.  Painting and drawing have always been of interest to Addie.  Fresh, new paintings for sale are posted every few days on her blog and website. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Appalachian State University and currently teaches for the ArtReach program of the Indianapolis Art Center.

Traveling throughout Indiana, Addie presents performances for children in libraries and schools.  Drawing from her background as a children’s librarian these shows incorporate folklore, puppetry and a little bit of philosophy.

“Behind all of my artwork and performances is a message of celebration for the world we live in.  By passing on paintings and stories, I hope to plant seeds of inspiration, hope and healing in others.”

White River from Broad Ripple Park by Addie Hirschten.

Beka Nimtz

A transplant to the city from the cornfields of Indiana, Nimtz almost studied for an Art degree, but instead switched to English.  In terms of writing style, she finds herself unconsciously inspired by a blend of Kahlil Gibran, Annie Dillard, and Wendall Berry.  She enjoys spending time biking and knitting.

On her craft:  ”When creating, we either work out of response to that which is without or within–yet even as artists, making visible the invisible, we can tend to neglect taking a closer look at that which is most inward.  Like exploring caves or sifting for treasure, what do we really find there?  Is our approach to the attention we give to the outward and the inward in our lives similar or different–or do we focus on one to the neglect of the other?”

Beka recently spent some time in Guatemala and will be sharing some of experiences through painting and photography.

by Beka Nimtz.

Marie House

“I have been practicing art ever since I was about 8 years old, but due to the traditions of my parents, they did not encourage my talents as an artist.  They did encourage me to get an education and a real job when I grow up.  I have an associates degree in business administration.

Although I have not made much money in the art genre, I am addicted to practicing some kind of visual art daily, but sometimes the practicing is in the beginning stages of my mind for days until I get to the point where I can’t bear to think on it any longer.  Then I attack the surface of the canvas, paper or board.”

Go Right by Marie House.

The exhibit, Reflections, will open on First Friday, April 6th, with an artist reception from 6-9p.  It will run until Saturday, April 28th.  For more details, click here.

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The Gallery presents: Ghosts to Show You

Posted on February 29, 2012 by

I am always blown away by how busy the week before First Friday gets.  Here at FPA&B, we close an exhibit after the last Saturday of a month, then turn over a new exhibit each First Friday, leaving just ONE week to get the old out and the new in.   I usually intend to post this entry on Monday, but alas, the week has gotten the better of me.

However, I am more than excited to be introducing this incredible exhibit, titled “Ghosts to Show You,” featuring Jasin Wayne and three of his professors from Ivy Tech: Chris Tower, Bernadette Ostrozovich, and Jean Benabou.  Each artist has a very unique style that surprisingly compliments the others well.

A glimpse of Homage to the Vanishing American Hobo by Jasin Wayne.

This show has an eclectic mix of found object sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and even an installation piece.  It is sure to please.

The neighborhood will also be quite busy.  A group of nine young artists will be featuring their pieces at the studio of local photographer, Harold Miller, next door, while a pop-up vintage shop opens in the building across the street.  Just down Virginia Ave. in Fountain Square, there will be a great party at the Bodega in the Murphy Building, while Kelley Jordan features her unique photographs at New Day Meadery.

Make this area your destination on First Friday, March, 2nd!

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Bring on the library!

Posted on February 24, 2012 by

One of the important pieces of the vision for FPA&B has been to have a reading room/library stocked with great titles for our guests to borrow or read while they’re here.

Today saw a big part of that vision take shape.

Reading corner. Portraits by artist Carly Miller.

Thanks to Judy, we were able to build four IKEA bookshelves and a table to used for my desk/office space.

We’re evolving, slowly but surely.

Reading space + kids corner = happiness.

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