Hello Friends & Creative Co-conspirators:

For the past few months Colin & I have been working on a project with the Education & Community Programs department at the Walker Art Center - a pilot for what we hope will become a larger project in the future. Field Office Fellowship invited 8 artists from diverse artistic/creative disciplines and communities together and asked them each to expand on an existing artwork; or to try a small artistic experiment that was collaborative, participatory, and public. This project is still underway.

One of those artists, a woman named Amoke Kubat who we met last year through work on our Solutions Twin Cities Event at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, had a vision for a project that would explore themes she was interested in (African American mother activism, women's health & wellness, creative expression) in a hands-on way, and would be an extension of work she is already doing to bring together women in her community through her Yo Mama! Institute and the Art of Mothering workshops.

What came of her thinking was an idea for the Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired Chair - a chair that would invite people to pause, to sit, to rest, to rock, and to contemplate those things that make them sick and tired; as well as to imagine how creative acts can intervene in these cycles.

As part of her work to explore the Sick & Tired Chair concept, Amoke partnered with the design studio ROLU, who make furniture and public art, among other things. After conversations with Amoke, ROLU designed a simple rocking chair that can be built with less than $20 of material and hand tools.

Earlier this month, Amoke brought her Art of Mothering group to the the Walker, where they built a chair together with plans and guidance from ROLU, discussing a range of related topics throughout the day. More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/worksprogress/sets/72157627592342097/

Amoke has thoughts on how to expand this project in a more public way, and will be sharing those thoughts, along with her process THIS FRIDAY from 6-7PM at the Walker, in the Flatpak House. This is a FREE conversation; there will be snacks and beverages.

If you have an hour to hangout and listen/converse before the weekend kicks in, please join us!