Community Art Party

Update: We know the forecast is a little iffy, but we're feeling lucky and plans are currently full-steam-ahead for tonight's FREE Community Art Party (5:00 - 8:30 pm) and 6:30pm concert by the Meridian Symphony Orchestra in the Kleiner Park Bandshell. The concert is a tribute to park donor Gene Kleiner AND part of Meridian Art Week.

We are hosting an ART Party in conjunction with Meridian Arts Commission's Art Week.

Come enjoy live music again by the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. Create at the craft tables. Play a beat at the instrument petting zoo. Visit local artist Windy Blickenstaff's walk-through exhibit.

Art can bring joy and healing. It can connect us through shared experiences. We are ready to be together - again.

When: Friday, September 10 from 5:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: Julius Kleiner Park

Instrument Petting Zoo

Youth and adults are invited to pick up an instrument and play it. Ever wanted to play a cello or beat a drum? Now is your chance. Visit from 5:00 - 8:30 pm. Thanks to Dunkley Music!

Visit the Angry Easel Craft Tables

Projects starting at 5;15 pm, 6;15pm and 7:15 pm.

Pandemic Data
an interactive exhibit by Wendy Blickenstaff

View at Shelter A1 from 5:00 - 8:30 pm.

This is a powerful mixed-media piece that really illustrates the chaos that has ensued over the past year, during the pandemic. It is a celebration of art and creating during a time of fear and death. You can see the emotional gymnastics the artist has been subjected to, as well as the sense of collective suffering. Clearly a printmaker, the artist has pieced together lots of different prints, each conveying some little piece of human experience, whether its empathy, hunger, isolation, connectedness, or even the joy we felt during an otherwise excruciating time. Each print is seemingly sewn together with her own humanity, and the whole thing is tied and weighted down with large blue rocks, as if to emulate the weight of such difficult times. A wonderfully quirky, large footed figure also rests at the bottom right of the piece, with hands over its face as if overwhelmed by the all the emotions and the possibility of re-assembling the impossible puzzle pieces surrounding the outer edge. Will we ever recover? A lovely element in the work is the artist’s invitation for the viewer to participate and share their own experience in their own words- an obvious reminder that we are all in this together. It offers an altruistic, therapeutic experience that is accessible and very much appreciated as we are all moving forward together.

For more information about Wendy, listen to an NPR interview visit: wendyblickenstaff.com

Anne Sorensen

Local artist, Anne Sorensen lives in Meridian and created one of our favorite images. For prints of "Funky Town 10" or to see more of her artwork and available classes, visit www.aesorensen.com or
call (208) 870-2570.