ACE

Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy

CAPNY Creatives

A Freelancer & An Activist: Jade Warrick, “TrashKid”

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Jade Warrick is a powerhouse artist and freelancer. Known in the art world as “TrashKid,” you may remember her from our “Freelancer February” series. Jade is not only a Cap Region icon because of her creative graphic design & energetic spirit, but because of her active voice in the communities she’s a part of and her passion for making art accessible for everybody. We sat down with Jade to ask her what she’s been up to over the past few months – especially during the COVID-19 crisis and the Black Lives Matter movement.

So much has changed since we last spoke in February. How has your business/work changed?

Healing While Black

Business has been decent for me. I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of marketing and graphic design work and I’m enjoying that. I think a lot of people are getting businesses off the ground and working on things they never had the time to. I’ve been working with a few podcasters, Didi Delgado being one. I’ve also done some commission work with Healing While Black, LLC, an amazing black voice. I’ve been wanting to do more TrashKid stuff – doing more comics and drawings – but it has taken a backseat due to the commission work.

I have some side projects going on. I’m working on building a website that helps promote the work of people of color. I’m also working on a COVID-19 graphic novel with Noelle Gentile, a local actor and children’s author. The book is geared toward youth — it talks about what the pandemic means, missing your friends, etc. It’s a living document and is being changed all the time due to new information, events taking place, etc. We’re hoping to release that in mid-June.

Can you tell us a bit more about the website you’re building to help promote the work of black artists and artists of color?

I’ve been wanting to build this website for a while, but never had the time until now. I want to give my friends and creatives – especially those who aren’t very good at marketing nor have a website — a place where people can see their art and contact them if they’re interested in commissioning them for work. This is a resource for all people, but the idea is to promote artists of color. It’s a place where people can find under-looked black artists and support their business. The logo will consist of a pigeon. Pigeons are looked down upon and seen as gross, but they’re very smart birds. I think it’s an interesting reflection of how people see urbanized black culture.

I regularly see you on social media using art to build community. What’s your latest community building project?

I’m working on mural at YouthFX in downtown Albany today (on Friday, 6/5) while youth in the community will hold a protest and have the floor to speak about how they feel about the current state of the world. I’m also going to be working with Albany Barn, Albany Center Gallery, D. Colin, and others to encourage our black youth to paint murals downtown. Youth are going through a lot right now, not only the protests, but there is still a pandemic going on. People are still struggling and unemployed, kids aren’t going back to school. Kids are angry about a lot. I would’ve loved this type of opportunity as a kid. I wasn’t around art as much as I would’ve liked to and I would’ve been a stronger artist if I had been. I never really got the opportunity, my parents were too busy raising their kids and trying to get by.

Any last words of advice you’d like to leave for our readers?

The world is really negative right now. I’ve been trying to help as much as I can and help people feel less alone. I’ve found positivity through connecting with my community – getting in touch with people who feel the same way as me. If you reach out, many organizations will welcome you in with open arms and provide you resources to join workgroups.

Connect with Jade!

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Cap Region Creatives: Andrea “Drea” LaRose

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Andrea “Drea” LaRose is a Cap Region native, born in Troy, NY. She’s an artist that works primarily in photography and site-specific installations that deal with visual shifts in analog and digital worlds. In January 2020, Drea and her good friend, Carolyn Hopkins, opened Second Street Studios, in Troy as a space to create artwork and grow a sense of community amongst artists. In this interview, she talks about the struggles and rewards of being a young artist.

Drea, please introduce your creative endeavors and what you’re up to these days.

I like to play and interfere with photography in a way that the information, originality, and authorship mirror our own interactions with images on the internet, a constantly fluctuating digital world around me. I have taught painting at SUNY New Paltz, where I went to undergrad and sculpture at SUNY Albany, where I went to graduate school. I received my Masters in Fine Arts a year ago from UAlbany where they awarded me an amazing summer residency at Sculpture Space in Utica, NY.

After the experience of working with artists from around the world, I knew I wanted to continue the arts in a way that wasn’t just about my studio practice, but finding ways to involve other artists. Today, I’m a server, which was my main source of income before the crisis, while applying to adjunct teaching jobs waiting for the right fit – as many artists are doing; juggling multiple jobs to support their practice.

Let’s talk about your gallery space, Second Street Studios. What led you to open the space? What is its status now with the current crisis?

An artist and good friend of mine, Carolyn Hopkins, were both in a similar position of wanting a studio space outside of the home. It’s sometimes quite difficult to create in a space you live in, or I find it that way anyway. I got lucky and found this amazing space at 68 Second Street in Troy, a small but beautiful space that we could instantly see ourselves in. We both had the idea of making it into more than just a studio, we wanted to have classes, invite other artists into the studio for critique nights and exhibit work of other artists. You’re told so many times how difficult the “real world” is after graduate school, especially in the arts, but until we actually went through it, we didn’t have a clue.

Application fees for exhibitions added up…we received so many rejection letters from job or show opportunities, it began to drag a bit. But what remained was that we both wanted to provide a space for emerging artists, like ourselves, to show their work, without all these application steps AND keep 100% of their sales. “The Hallway” (literally the adjoining hallway from the front door to our studio) became this opportunity to exhibit artwork, and our inspiration for what this space could turn into started there. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, Carolyn had to move out of the space because she wasn’t able to use it anymore, but she’s still part of the energy. So now we’re at a bit of a standstill with the physical space and I’m coming up with ideas of how I can make Second Street Studios come back stronger than before.

Why do you love being a creative in the Cap Region?

The support we’ve gotten on our exhibitions has been absolutely eye-opening. We’ve had roughly 100 people through our space for each exhibition and it’s amazing to see the community come together, even if the space is small and a bit alternative (compared to your average white-cube art space). I am so happy that through this tough time, our community has donated to help us keep our doors open; and to give back, we’ve been hosting virtual exhibitions that can be viewed on our Facebook page. Our second show airs on Friday May 29th (which would have been Troy Night Out). I don’t want to lose momentum, and most understand the struggles of a starting space/business, especially in the arts; but I want to be able to provide an open, creative, and inclusive environment for people, in-person or virtual.

Seeing the work virtually is in no way a replacement of seeing it in person, but we want to be sure that during this time, they are being supported. I understand there is a huge surge of visual information out there, with businesses, schools, etc. moving to online platforms…we just ask that people simply look.

There’s nothing required of you, other than to look and appreciate what people are making and creating. Through all of this, I think it’s been particularly eye-opening how much the general public has gripped onto the arts as a means of entertainment. I hope everyone remembers that after this is over and helps support the emerging artists today in their community.

Will you leave us with a positive word?

Something I’ve been struggling with during this whole pandemic is the idea of what to do with all of this time. As an artist and creator, this time is ideal to create artwork, but it has proven to be difficult for me at times. I’ve reached out to other artists friends who are feeling the same way, and I’d just like to say to whoever needs to hear this that it’s okay if you aren’t as productive as you were pre-Covid-19. We’re all figuring things out and there’s enough pressure on us all to find solutions to our seemingly ever increasing problems. So, if you need to take a day to do nothing? Do nothing, take time for yourself, and we’ll all get through this together.

Connect with Drea

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Email

Cap Region Creatives: Marilyn McCabe

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Marilyn is a published poet, living in Saratoga Springs. Her main creative outlet is poetry, sometimes making videos that blend her words with images and sound. She offers writing workshops in conjunction with the Hyde Collection and writes book reviews for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

In this interview, Marilyn offers insight on what it means to be “an individual and largely unknown poet” during these unique times.

How did poetry become your main creative medium?

I have tried just about everything else — fiction, essay, plays — but it’s poetry that stuck. As an editor, it’s part of my make-up to get to the point and be concise. I love rhythm and silence, both of which are essential to the craft. Poetry suits me.

Marilyn, you’ve recently published an Award-Winning Chapbook, Being Many Seeds. Congratulations! What has that experience been like?

Ordinarily I’d throw it a little book party, do some readings and open mics. But I’m reliant now on the virtual networking. I’ve got an extensive email list of friends and acquaintances, as well as Facebook posts both to my own page and group pages such as NY Writers’ Compendium, and I also have a blog.

I created a video project using poems in the collection, so I can use this as a book trailer. I may also record myself reading a few of the poems. People enjoy poets reading their work aloud; it offers insight that words on the page may not. I enjoy readings, but I don’t enjoy the schlepping around. I often spend more in gas than I can recoup in books sales, so I confess I don’t wildly miss the reading shuffle. But I do miss the interaction with listeners and other poetry fans.

Do you feel like your creativity has been flourishing or diminished by being in isolation due to the quarantine?

My life has not changed all that much under quarantine. I do miss seeing my friends, casually stopping somewhere to meet up, and particularly I miss the library — but my creative work continues in its usual fits and starts. My “practice” is haphazard anyway, and I’m fairly distractible at the best of times.

How have you seen the creative community band together during this time?

It’s amazing to see how arts organizations are sharing information and creating new platforms. Virtual readings, gallery tours, fundraising for artist relief funds, virtual concerts — the outpouring has been tremendous. I think people around the world are grateful, and are perhaps newly aware of how art feeds us.

I enjoy ACE’s profiles. The Hyde Collection has invited local artists to post work. Jacob’s Pillow has brought dance to my computer screen, and innumerable other ways in which the arts have gone viral… If anything, the proliferation of arts online has made it a bit more difficult for a largely unknown poet like me to get “heard.”

Are there any specific resources/tools, etc. you’ve been using regularly that you can share with our readers?

Several Facebook groups of women writers, such as Binders Full of Women and Non-binary Poets, help me find publishing opportunities and discover new writers. The members have been great cheerleaders for each other, which is so encouraging. New York Foundation for the Arts has tons of resources on its webpage about funding and opportunities. The Adirondack Center for Writing has been great in engaging the already isolated community of writers across the Adirondack region. The Creative Writers Opportunities blog is regularly updated with calls for work from literary magazines, etc.

Are you thinking about ways that you’ll change the way you create/do business in the future due to this experience?

I’ll reach out more globally both in terms of promoting my own work and engaging with the work of others. The online world is small, and it’s rich to reach across geographic, cultural, and national boundaries. Ironically, social distancing has spurred me to bring the world closer.

Any last words of positivity for our readers?

The best of art and science has come out of active use of our imaginations, out of joyous play. Let’s use some of this wonderful quiet to dance around with wild abandon, figuratively and literally.

Marilyn is the winner of the Grayson Books Poetry Chapbook Contest: Being Many Seeds. She has two full-length collections of poems — Glass Factory, and Perpetual Motion — and another chapbook, Rugged Means of Grace. Her themes include science, spirit, memory and identity, and how people connect to each other and the earth.

Connect with Marilyn!

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Facebook
Vimeo
Email

Cap Region Creatives: Sandy Ebejer

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Sandy Ebejer is a local freelance writer. She’s fairly new to the Capital Region, moving here from Los Angeles three and a half years ago. She offers some interesting perspective on how her life has changed due to the crisis; not only looking at the long-term viability of a career as a freelance writer, but also being a working parent during this unprecedented time.

For over 15 years I worked as a fundraiser for nonprofit arts organizations. I was the Director of Foundation & Government Relations at L.A.’s American Film Institute, and after I moved to Albany, I worked at a couple of local nonprofits, including Albany Pro Musica and Proctors. But I realized in 2018 that I wanted to try something new–I’d been writing grant proposals for so long and craved a change. I also wanted to have more flexibility to spend quality time with my son, who I didn’t see much during our hectic years in L.A.

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So, in September 2018 I left Proctors and embarked on a freelance writing career. Over the past year and a half, I’ve had essays, articles, and short fiction published in The Boston Globe, Greatist, FLOOD Magazine, The Girlfriend from AARP, Disrupt Aging from AARP, Brevity, Motherfigure, Folks, Scary Mommy, Sammiches & Psych Meds, Across the Margin, and Little Old Lady Comedy. Though I never established a niche, per se, I’ve realized over time that my work tends to cover parenting, culture, and health. To that end, I’m thrilled to share that my first health article for The Washington Post (on pediatric migraines) will be published later this year.

With quarantine comes work style changes…what’s your workspace like now, Sandy?

Under normal circumstances, I work from a home office, which I love. The room I use as my office was intended to be a bedroom, so there’s a large closet and plenty of space. Unfortunately, since quarantine began and my seven-year-old son’s school closed, my workplace has transitioned to the kitchen and my home office has become a dumping ground for stuff I need to “someday” put away.

My son and I are currently sharing a crowded, cluttered kitchen table. He’s on his laptop and I’m on mine, and papers and notebooks and pencils surround us. If it turns out the schools will be closed for more than a couple of additional weeks, I’m going to figure out how to move him to his own desk elsewhere in the kitchen because things are a bit too snug at the moment.

How have you been coping?

It depends on the day! Some days I’m fine, others I’m a sobbing mess. I’ve found that I’ve been doing better recently. I don’t know why–perhaps I’ve just hit the “acceptance” stage. But I do put a lot of effort now into not worrying about things I can’t control. If I focus on the long-term: school closures, travel restrictions, the economy, the virus, etc., my anxiety ramps up. But if I can stay focused on today–my son’s schooling, my own work, the tasks that must be done in the next 24 hours–I’m able to cope. And sometimes, I’m even able to enjoy being on “pause” with my family.

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Have you started adapting and/or innovating the methods you use to pitch your stories?

I’ve had to learn how to let go some. When this first started, I was working nonstop–trying to keep my son engaged for six straight hours, while continuing to write and pitch stories to editors every evening. That lasted for about two weeks before I had a meltdown. I finally realized that at school, there are many teachers whose job it is to educate my child; it’s unreasonable for me (or any parent) to try to fill all of their shoes. Also, I’m not someone who can focus on my writing and then immediately switch gears to help my son when he has a question. I need quiet and space to really concentrate on my work. So, I’ve had to cut back. Core school hours are now 9-12, with some fun activities in the afternoon. I write and pitch editors when I can, but don’t force myself to do it at the same pace as I have in the past.

How have you seen the local creative community band together to support one another?

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I’ve been blown away by how creative small businesses and nonprofits have been during this time. Early on, local businesses like The Pottery Place, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, and Market Block Books offered free (sometimes same day!) deliveries of online and phone orders. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has created a really cool newsletter called The Beat, which includes inspirational stories, links to online performances, and even cocktail recipes. The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, for which I serve as a board member, is moving its arts education programs online. So many companies and organizations are coming up with innovative ways to stay in business and keep in touch with their followers while adhering to social distancing guidelines. It’s been really inspiring, and I’m doing as much as I can to continue to support as many local companies as possible.

Are you thinking about ways that you’ll change the way you do business in the future based on this experience?

To be honest, I’m really nervous about the long-term viability of my writing career. A number of publications have furloughed staffers, implemented budget cuts, and stopped working with freelancers. Some media outlets are no longer publishing at all. There are far fewer editors taking pitches, which makes it harder to get published and, therefore, paid. I’m waiting to see how things shake out over time, but I may have to expand the type of work I do, perhaps taking on more service (“how to”) articles, product reviews, and the like.

Visit Sandy’s website to view her portfolio and visit her blog.

Positivity. We could all use more of it. Can you share a final positive note?

So many of us are used to working nonstop, and it’s hard to let go of that. It’s tempting to think, “I’m home, I should use this time to do more–complete that big project, write that novel, craft that long-term business plan.” But with so much going on, you may already be tapped out emotionally, physically, and mentally. The biggest mistake you can make right now is to add extra pressure on yourself by trying to do business as usual.

Be kind to yourself. Give yourself some time every day to do something that brings you joy. I’ve become addicted to two things: jigsaw puzzles and Nintendo’s Animal Crossing. They’re silly activities that take my mind off of the world’s woes and allow me to zone out for a bit. I would love to be able to write a powerful essay or even begin working on a book, but I’m just not capable of doing that right now. Hopefully, after some time, I’ll feel calmer and able to tackle some of the bigger projects that have been on my to-do list. But for now, I’m just doing what I can to get through each day, stay on top of my current obligations, and maintain my sanity.

Connect with Sandy!

A Chat With SPAC’s Elizabeth Sobol

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SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol in quarantine

Elizabeth Sobol is the President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She is also a voracious reader, champion of the cultural arts and lover of the natural world. She recently posted an eloquent letter about life during a pandemic and the impact of Beethoven’s music on our world in the year of his 250th birthday. You can read that here.

We just knew she’d have some great insight and advice for us during New York’s Shelter In Place orders. Please enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth Sobol.

ACE’s Rachel Dunn interviews SPAC’s Elizabeth Sobol

Elizabeth Sobol’s Favorites:

  • Saratoga PLAN – Saratoga PLAN is dedicated to preserving the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County and provides information on County parks and trails. Includes information on Hennig Preserve.
  • SPAC “Sparked By Beauty” Facebook Page – Saratoga Performing Arts Center has created an online forum for the sharing of poetry, art, music, dance – things of beauty that bring you joy and light under the dark clouds of uncertainty.
  • Elizabeth’s Reading List:
    • Brian Greene’s Until The End of Time – “It’s a huge book in scope – and he is really looking at both the history of the cosmos – as well as the history of human thought and experience. Kind of like “from the Big Bang to Beethoven”. It sounds daunting, but it is so precisely and beautifully written that it is very gripping. “
    • Erik Larson’s The Splendid and The Vile – “[This] is basically a history of Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister – and also the first year of WWII and the Blitz.  It’s a timely and powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit – and the importance of honest, powerful oratory – in leading people through times of crisis.”
    • Irina Ratushinskaya’s Grey Is The Color of Hope – “A memoir about her many years in the gulags of Russia and how she maintained hope and sustenance through the clandestine writing of poetry on matchbooks.”
    • Tracy K. Smith’s Life on Mars – “Our immediate past US Poet Laureate and an extraordinary human being. She also has her own poetry podcast called “The Slowdown”. I listen to it at night when I can’t sleep.  It is magical.”
  • Favorite Beethoven recordings:
    • “Because I was an aspiring pianist in a distant past, I always gravitate to [Beethoven’s] piano music. Any recording of any of the 32 piano sonatas performed by Richard Goode, Jonathan Biss or Igor Levitt (representing three different generations of pianists).”
    • “Jonathan Biss is also a great writer and has a terrific Kindle Single called ‘In Beethoven’s Shadow’.”

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