Saturday, December 5, 2015

Moon Reimagined ~2016



Motivation alone is not enough. If you have an idiot and you motivate him, now you have a motivated idiot. -- George C. Fraser

Times they be a'changin....



"When the past call, don't answer. Let it go to voice mail. It has nothing new to offer.

Dear Past: Thank you for the lessons. 

Dear Future: I'm ready".~  George Fraser













Nou bite men noupa tonbe (We have stumbled, but we will not fall)"~ Haitian proverb











Monday, September 14, 2015

Here is one of our Young Creatives who call herself Journey.  Her "Talking Drum" which are recycled oil drums that will be used in the new Bienville-Basin Development as trash receptacles shows the youthful vibrancy of her eye.

The gallery is also showcasing a couple of her other paintings in the "Da Fleet! Where the Young Creatives Are" at Rhythm & Hues @1501 through October 31st.

Reception tentatively scheduled for Oct 3rd.






 The Artist: Journey
 
 
 
Andrew's piece simply does that..make you smile.  Native to Venezuela now currently living in Baton Rouge, La his charming and whimsica painting kinda reminds you of a cross between Dr. Suess & Sponge Bob Squarepants!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Changed Waters exhibition extended to Sept 26th!


We are happy to say that Changed Waters: Thrown Rocks, Building Castles exhibition has been extended to Sept 26th!





(l to r): Artists Madeline Corey Thomas, Claudia Washington & Isarealle Johnson



Ransom McCormick, artist

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Under the Fig Tree: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Bienville-Basin Community Development


The newly renovated Bienville Basin Comunit Development officially opened Augst 29th, 2015. It was the former Iberville Housing Project that underwent a massive transformation over the last few years.

I, and the artists of Rhythm & Hues were delghted to share in a modest way in enhancing the streets with our "Talking Drums" recyled oil drums now being used as trash receptacles that will dot the landscape for months to come!



 Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney (background Secretary Julian Castro, HUD)



Ribbon cutting. (l to r):Senator Mary Landrieu, N.O. Mayor itch Landrieu, Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney, Secretary of HUD Julian Castro




Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney, Curator?artist at Rhythm & Hues @ 1501.  Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La)





(l to r): Secretary Julian Castro, Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney & Secretary Shaun Donovan





Post ribbon cutting Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney





Some of the "Drummer" artists with City leaders

(l to r): The Honorable Shaun Donovan (Executive Director for the U.S. Office of Management & Budget & former Secretary of HUD), Jacquelyn Hughes Money, curator of Rhythm & Hues @ 1501, Jenae Wilson, artist Thelma Bowers, artist Sandra Blakely, artist Karel Sloane-Boekbinder & Sheila Pipps with Pres Kabacoff, CEO of HRI,Inc.





(l to r): Artist Jenae Wilson, HRI Properties, Inc partner & former Mayor of New Orleans Sidney Bartholomew, Artist Jacquelyn Hughes Money, curator of Rhythm & Hues @ 1501,  artist Thelma Bowers, artist Sandra Blakely, artist Karel Sloane-Boekbinder & Sheila Pipps



Even though the reporter got it wrong as I did not grew up in the Iberville Projects, it was a nice photo.  I spent 6 months there as an young adult (age 22).  It was beautifu back then in the early 70s.    I am glad to see it go through a new stage.
 http://theadvocate.com/news/legislature/13299874-123/officials-praise-public-housing-residents

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Speak to Me: New "Talking Drums" art

Our second wave of "Talking Drums" trash receptacles being installed in the renovated Bienville-Basin Development today!

The Grand Opening is Friday August 29th at 2pm

















Jessica Strahan, artist







(l to r): Bryan Brown, LaBertha McCormick and Thelma Bowers












LaBertha McCormick, artist

















Thelma Bowers, artist













Bryan Brown, artist

Ten Years Ago...



Katrina Exhibit Opens At Moses Cone

9:56 AM, Aug 28, 2007   |   0  comments
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Greensboro -- "Recovering My Soul: Reinventing My Life past Katrina" will hang at The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital from Aug. 28- Sept. 30. "Recovering My Soul…" features the works of Bennett College Artist in Residence Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney as well as Vita Jones, Sterline Ritchie Lacey, Marcia Walls, Kichea Burt and Karen Bethea and featured pieces from a traveling exhibit on Katrina.

"One thing I have discovered as this story unfolds is the overwhelming number of people who have something to say," Mooney says. "Not only citizens of the Gulf Coast living elsewhere, but friends, family and others who stood by in horror and worry for their loved ones who where valiantly trying to survive those tragic days."

This exhibit features about a dozen pieces of art, including photography. It is the latest exhibit in the Community Art program, which displays the works of a different artist from the community each month. The works are displayed along the main hall off of patient admitting on the east side of the hospital.

"Art and healthcare are a natural marriage," Shawn Houck, Corporate Events Specialist says. "Healthcare can heal the body and art can heal the spirit."

There will be an observation at Bennett College Wednesday night, August 29 at 6:30. It's called "Katrina: A Time of Prayer, Hope & Victory."
WFMY News 2http://www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=88700&catid=57

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

"We Survived Katrina" featuring Ransom McCormick in the Changed Waters exhibition opening Aug 1


I discovered today that not only we will be observing the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that for some of us, early Sept will also mark the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Betsy both of which I barely escaped by having moved away 2 weeks prior to Betsy and not returning just two weeks before Katrina and the levees breaking.  Go figure.





"We survived Katrina"~ Ransom McCormick (right side)








"We survived Katrina"~ Ransom McCormick (left side)

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Resurgence: Things They Be a'Changin'


I wanted to revisit this that I did in 2005, exhausted, shocked, grieving, angry, dismayed proud, every emotion went through me just a few days after the levees broke and the first time a reporter had the gall to call the citizens of New Orleans "refugees"...

I wondered whomever it was that did it as I do not recall, every rue the day that he or she made a colossal mistake...


 



Second in the Hurt Too much Trilogy-Katrina
 
 
This poem was written 4 days after Katrina 2005 struck when the media misrepresented suffering people.  I simply wanted people to know the New Orleans I knew.
 
 
 
A Song for N’Awlins  (2005 rendition)
 
Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney©05
 
 
 
I want to sing a song for New Orleans…Of the neutral zones of Treme’ and Gert Town…
Sing a song for Rampart Street and Congo Square where everyday is a history lesson.
Sing a song for my ancestors Alexander, Sarah, Ellis Hughes.I wished I had told her that she was the only one…

That filled my heart with its lassiere faire and living in extremes …

That sometimes is too hard to bear, the in your face, with so much life and verve and noise.
And the music, the music, that bubbled up in the cracks of the promenade
 
Where the cadence in bottle caps on sneakers of younuns crying“Throw me a coin, mister”And the “Don’t worry bebe”And having champagne and grits at midnight.
 
Sing a song for Dunbar’s and Dooky Chase, Hubig pies and Blue Bonnet ice Cream…On those hot humid days that make you scream… Me scream...We all scream for ice cream.
“Where love is like a card game, you only have to deal it once”
 
There were no refugees here, only hardworking, tax paying citizens who held up a redolent city sometimes with sheer grit and determination.
Sing a song also for St Bernard and Jefferson Parish in water flowing deep..  In the eyes of a man who could only weep at the death of a motherwho waited for her son to come and get her?
 
Give a field holler for Port Gibson, Biloxi, Gulfport, Oxford, Jackson
And the Mississippi Delta for the blues that came up out of the fields .For all the ones that say…“Where yer at? And " for true?”
 
Shout out for the Panorama Jazz Band and Hector…For Mrs. Baptist and Mrs. Sanders spending a quiet afternoon catching up on the latest local yoreAnd Tony’s to die for barbecue and his “Fosho! Greeting you.
 
And my dear hearts Ed and Tony who hearts and soul s are incomparable who was there always there.And Snug Harbor (one and two).And C. Ray Nagin and all the rest you are the best.
Sing a song for the ones who were treated like gum stuck on the bottom of a dog’s paw …When the chips were down...For people who wanted to know who your mama was rather then asked you how much you made.Sing a song for Roysalis, Sammy Lee, Aunty Ruth and Donovan, Chief Tootie, CAC and NOCCA.
 
And all the “Yeah you right” that have not yet been declared.The White Linen Nights…The zydeco…Second Lines not yet boogie woogie to.For boudin …And poboysAnd poor people who could not afford anything elseAnd could not flee because they had no place to go.
Tell the story of Novelle d’Orleans where for an evening it was a place where care forgot…
And for Xavier, Suno, Dillard and the Amistad
 
For praline pies and real crab cakes, crawfish …And African people who knew the difference between Creole and Cajun…
 
And whose souls intertwined in the soils…The Ashanti, the Gambian, the Senegalese and the Wolof who knew dafuskie
 
For the 1.5 million who are standing on the shores…(Even here in Greensboro) Watching their homes and their lives…And their history swallowed up by the lies of thugs…Rampant shootings…And “lawless New Orleans”
 
Sing the songs of Jelly Roll, Louis Armstrong, Gate Mouth, the Nevelle Brothers, Buddy Bolden, Wynton Marsalis, Harold Baptist, Marva Wright, Danny Barker, Kid Creole, Mardi Gras Indians Andrew Young, and Marc Morial …And Fats Domino who found his thrill in New Orleans
Where jazz is the democracy wrapped up in music.
 
Sing a song for New Orleans making her dramatic exit as we once knew her…Stage left embraced for a moment in the watery arms of the mighty, mighty Mississippi.
As the Ponchatrain claims its own
 
.A second line for the beignets, pralines…3rd Ward, 13th Ward, 7th Ward and the Lower Nines.
For the ones who were reunited today and the ones till missing.Herald a joyful noise full with beignets, café au lait,
Jazzfest and Bayou Classic
And Essence Music Festival
Aie!
Les Bon Temps Rouler!(Let the good times roll)
All rights reservedJHM9-6-05©






These are a few of my "itty bitties" from my Changed Waters Katrina series exhibited in the Textile Monument exhibition at the Green Hill Art Center located in Greensboro, NC 2007.

  L. to r:

 "Blowing in the Wind"

"Be seeching"

 Elders Keep Telling the Story".

 "The Last Red Cross",

"Sometimes it Hurts Too Much-Fire". 


There has been numerous quilts created since Katrina landed on August 28th, 2005

No Woman No Cry (Any Longer): You are Building a Castle. Michele Lambert & Changed Waters


"If someone throws rocks at you, you can do one of two things: you can pick up & throw back or you can build a castle" ~ Terence Howard.





"I Cry for My City"~Michele Lambert, artist



Rhythm & Hues @1501 is delighted to learn that one of our artists, Michele Lambert, will be interviewed by Sally Ann Roberts anchor at WWL-TV New Orleans. Michele was featured in the aftermath 10 years ago as acknowledge as one of their "Quiet Heros" for her deeply moving works that aptly show the pure raw emotions that many felt in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina & Rita.

You must see this very touching video from 2005...

Michele-Cry-100406.wmv: http://youtu.be/D_kFrho5C6g

Michele's prolific piece "I Cry for My City" created shortly after the storm is still profoundly affecting many today.  The Michele also has prints of this imagery in the art space.  Her pesistant goal is to sell the original so in part to donate to charity.  As part of that team, Rhythm & Hues @ 1501 will make the prints available.  or you can go to her website at www.michelelambertartist.com.



This follow up interview and will also showcase the art space "Changed Waters: Thrown Rocks, Building Castles" that Michele Lambert & 25 other artists... ranging from 13-70. And so no doubt the gallery is please that the taping will be at the gallery & in part, showing the art of the other artists that are in varied ways thir deeply held feelings of their beloved home before during and after the storms. 


Michele's Artist Statement (in part)

“I believe if you paint it well enough the subject doesn’t matter. My body of work is a collection of what moves me. I paint because I am driven to say something. It’s about expressing emotions and passion. It’s so much bigger than me. I listen to my inner voice, push past the fear of judgment and appreciate the results.My artwork is like me, it is very simple and direct. You don’t have to question what you are looking at. I am a purist by nature. I don’t use props, projectors or mixed media. I work only with acrylic and water. I don’t follow any rules, I don’t measure, I don’t have a plan. I have a natural ability to put things into perspective. I visualize it and I paint it.


We are listed with the City of New Orleans: 




www.katrina10.org

You can see the art featured in the footage at 1501 Canal from July 20-Sept 6th. All the artists have created profound, poignant, soulful renditions for this exhibition.




Written on my former house post Katrina.



Rhythm & Hues @ 1501
rhythmnhues@gmail.com
www.burnttoastsweetteathyme.blogspot.com
1501 Canal Street
NOLa 70112

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Up! Up & Away! Lydia's 1st Purle Moon to close July 6th,2015

The Lydia's 1st Purple Moon exhibition will close as of July 6th.  Opening August 1 is "Changed Waters: Thrown Rocks, Building Castles".

I absolutely enjoyed working with the artists in both Phase One and Phase Two of Lydia's 1st Purple Moon.  It is always a challenge not unfamiliar to most artists to get their work out there to be viewed.  The purpose in Rhythm & Hues @ 1501 has been from a standpoint of caring. To give both new, emerging and yes even established, seasoned working artists an opportunity a window a moment to express themselves.

I was not expecting when I proposed to HRI Properties back in Nov 2014 to set up some art for a few weeks while waiting their new tenants Dunkin' Donuts to come in to open up that 8 months later we would still be here!  Many thanks you are issue routinely to both companies as we happily accomodate.  It has been a win-win for all parties.

We operate with zero operational money outside of my ability and skill to find a way out of no way!  No I do not get paid for this, I am purely volunteering.  There have been moments when I had planned to close down because as with anything there will always be detractors; ones who play armchair quarterbacks or resent the fact you put it all out there.

My intentions were for my fellow senior neighbors to have something lovely to look at as they came off the elevators and for the pedastrian traffic as well as the tourist riding our streetcars when they see this historic building and its seasoned tenants they have a sight to behold!

I plan to do as such with the upcoming "Changed Waters:Thrown Rocks, Building Castles" opening August 1-Sept 7th.

































































And so it shall....


1. "AGE IS AN ISSUE OF MIND OVER MATTER. IF YOU DON'T MIND, IT DOESN'T MATTER." -- MARK TWAIN.


We like this better than saying "You are only as old as you feel," because truthfully, there are days when we all feel our age. The Twain solution serves us better: Make up your mind to not let it bother you.

2. "THE OLD BELIEVE EVERYTHING, THE MIDDLE-AGED SUSPECT EVERYTHING, THE YOUNG KNOW EVERYTHING." -- OSCAR WILDE.


How true is that? We all need to remember that our doctors are not gods, the guy on the phone claiming to be the IRS really isn't, and that just because someone else thinks you'd be happy living in Florida, you may not be.

3. "AS I GROW OLDER, I PAY LESS ATTENTION TO WHAT MEN SAY. I JUST WATCH WHAT THEY DO." -- ANDREW CARNEGIE.


Good advice at any age. Actions have always spoken louder than words.

4. "YOU DON'T STOP LAUGHING BECAUSE YOU GROW OLDER. YOU GROW OLDER BECAUSE YOU STOP LAUGHING." -- MAURICE CHEVALIER.


recent study just affirmed this truth. The happiest people are the ones who live to be 100.

5. "FORTY IS THE OLD AGE OF YOUTH; FIFTY THE YOUTH OF OLD AGE." -- VICTOR HUGO.


Wonder what he'd say about 60 being the new 40? We kind of think Victor Hugo got it right. Turning 40 was much harder than turning 50.

6. ""NATURE GIVES YOU THE FACE YOU HAVE AT TWENTY; IT IS UP TO YOU TO MERIT THE FACE YOU HAVE AT FIFTY." -- COCO CHANEL.


Says it all.

7. "I DON'T BELIEVE ONE GROWS OLDER. I THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENS EARLY ON IN LIFE IS THAT AT A CERTAIN AGE ONE STANDS STILL AND STAGNATES." -- T. S. ELIOT.


Nothing ages you faster than complacency. It zaps your energy, rots your soul, and destroys you. End complacency by flipping the page. If today was your last day on Earth, would you be happy with how you spent it?

8. "ANYONE WHO STOPS LEARNING IS OLD, WHETHER AT 20 OR 80. ANYONE WHO KEEPS LEARNING STAYS YOUNG. THE GREATEST THING IN LIFE IS TO KEEP YOUR MIND YOUNG." -- HENRY FORD.


True in more ways than one. Keeping your brain active keeps it sharp.

9. “MOST PEOPLE DON'T GROW UP. MOST PEOPLE AGE. THEY FIND PARKING SPACES, HONOR THEIR CREDIT CARDS, GET MARRIED, HAVE CHILDREN, AND CALL THAT MATURITY. WHAT THAT IS, IS AGING.” -- MAYA ANGELOU.


Ba-boom!

10. "I WILL NEVER BE AN OLD MAN. TO ME, OLD AGE IS ALWAYS 15 YEARS OLDER THAN I AM. -- FRANCIS BACON.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Changed Waters:Thrown Rocks, Building Castles to open Aug1

 “You can do two things when people throw rocks at you. Pick them up and throw them back, or collect those stones and build yourself a castle. ~Terence Howard


 There will be a number artists exhibiting their work in this exhbition with expressing where they are today or reflecting where they were when boulders was being hurled at them during the storm.  I searched for visual imagery for my own story and decided I need to go back for a moment...

Fortunately my neighbor at that time, musician Ben Schneck of the Panorama Jazz Band was kind enough to return to the house and shot these images in Oct rough about 5 weeks out from the storm

The images I am showing here were from my old place Uptown New Orleans roughly about 5 weeks after Hurricane Katrina & Rita and the levees breaking.  I had a viscereal response.

If anything, it solidifies for me why I must do the "Changed Waters: Thrown Rocks, Building Castles" exhibition that will open Aug1 through Sept 6th,2015.

Fortunately in one way, I am I was not here but actually had just been ask to extend my residency at Bennett College for Women in North Carolina. I was literally two weeks out from the storm preparing to return back to New Orleans.

But for all intent and purposes I was.  More on that later.







You can see the bags caught in the trees outside my bay windows.  Mind you this is two floors above ground.  The murals were done by artist Michele Lambertthat I had commissioned in 2000.


Bay window view




In my dining room




Dining room



Inscribe by the person who rented the house after I moved out






The fire that took out the whole block across the street from me.