Finding Joy at Blue Sky
Moments of Joy at the Gallery
A friend, who's navigating a tough personal situation, recently shared how those pop-up photos collages on her phone had the singular power to get her through a hard day and remind her that good times do exist. I texted back, “Each time you’re knocked down and you get back up, you’re just a little bit stronger. And filling up with more moments of joy will bring those much-needed memories coming back to lift you up.” I realize I could be talking to myself or any number of family, friends, or colleagues. This time is as much about our individual experiences as it is about our collective soul. For certain, the past two years have taught us that we can and do get back up. And an antidote to hard times should be more moments of joy, captured by the camera or by the mind’s eye. In that spirit, we aspire to share more moments of joy, and we encourage you to continue to make and capture your own!
With joy in mind,
Molly Newgard, Executive Director
Moments of Joy at the Gallery
It was a privilege and joy to resume our Portfolio Walks with our 2021 PNW Drawers Artists. In December, many came together with a captive audience to talk photographs, inspirations, and process. The PNW Drawers program has been a staple at Blue Sky since 2007 to honor and celebrate regional creativity and give our Blue Sky visitors unique access to a wide range of photographic style and content. The images are always accessible via the flat files in the gallery, or online. Stay tuned for more ways to support and enjoy these talents - through March 2022. And April 2022 will kick-off the next exhibition of Drawers Artists.
Photos courtesy of Jim Aikman
Moments of Joy Online
We were thrilled to welcome 75 “zoomers” to hear from January Exhibiting Artist, Kensuke Koike, as he spoke from his studio in Venice, Italy. With a creative mind that churns out the unexpected, Koike’s work captivates viewers with his playful and ironic associations. Visit Blue Sky to see his inventions and to view his creative genius at work.
Don’t miss the January 26, 2022 Zoom talk with Jana Sophia Nolle as she shares the complex nature of Living Room: San Francisco & Berlin, currently on view at Blue Sky, and not to be missed.
December Artist Talks by Rachel Papo and Sonia Lenzi available for viewing.
Moments of Joy with a Book
Perhaps your New Year’s goal is to spend more time with books! We highly encourage it! Whether you come to pour over monographs in our library, or discover a Blue Sky Book featuring your favorite artist, or catch the latest catalog from current or past exhibitions, we invite you to look and read. Featured this month:
A Blue Sky Book, celebrating the work of Kensuke Koike, whose exhibition, Dear Friend, is now on view in the gallery. $18. Copies available in the gallery and on our website.
A beautiful catalogue accompaniment to Jana Sophia Nolle’s January exhibition, Living Room: San Francisco and Berlin, is available at Blue Sky ($45) along with a selection of posters of her work ($25).
Moments of Joy - courtesy of our Blue Sky Community from all across the country!
THANK YOU to each and every one of you who supported our End of Year campaign, helping us reach new heights as we head into 2021 with renewed energy and resources. To the nearly 120, who became new members, renewed membership or gave generous donations, YOU are our community, you inspire us, you keep us going!