art exhibits Archives - Page 2 of 45 - Artist and Facilitator Pamela Alderman

Voices at ArtPrize 2022

Behind the ArtworkBy Pamela Alderman September 7, 2022

As the Voices project took shape last year, many of the participants found a space to express their unspoken history of struggle, pain, and loss. These veterans have found it difficult to return to civilian life after risking their lives to serve our country, and some battle with alcohol or prescription drugs. But the Voices collaboration of art, creativity, and storytelling gave them a new sense of comradery and belonging.

For instance, one artist refused my invitation to participate multiple times, because he wanted to avoid the painful memories of his combat experience decades earlier. When he finally agreed to participate, he came to me in tears a few days into the exhibition, and thanked me for the opportunity to connect with other veterans. In spending time with the other veterans, he realized that he wasn’t alone. These new friendships created an opportunity for many veterans to continue the recovery process together.

Postcards from Home installation by John Katerberg at ArtPrize 2021

SteepleChase installation by Walter Marshall at ArtPrize 2021

This collection of art created by the veteran artists provides a pathway to healing by allowing an underserved population to be seen, heard, and understood. It creates a place for the veterans and the visitors to experience hope.

Three members of our Voices 2022 team

A special thanks to Kent County Veterans Services, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, The Home Depot, PlexiCase Inc., Moonlight Graphics Inc., Frames Unlimited, and Healing in Arts for making this collaboration of veteran stories possible.

Art Workshop in Texas

Behind the ArtworkBy Pamela Alderman December 28, 2021

Collaborative artwork being created in the Texas art workshop

As an artist without borders, my work demonstrates how art can engage participants by activating new creative spaces. In November, I traveled to Austin, Texas, to present my interactive art at the Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) conference. My presentation and workshop showed fellow artists how to connect with an audience through a collaborative project called “Art Mysteries.”

The hands-on activity challenged participants in team building as they problem-solved together. After coloring small tiles, the group compiled the pieces like a puzzle. This fun, team-building exercise celebrated collective community expression and exhibited how art can be part of the healing solution.

Finished artwork created in the Texas workshop

Healing in Arts activates spaces where people become part of a healing canvas. Offering community workshops and collaborations, Healing in Arts emphasizes creative care in our collective journey towards growth.

Yellow Ribbon Project

GeneralBy Pamela Alderman November 2, 2021

Yellow Ribbon

The Yellow Ribbon Project goes beyond the symbolic gesture of tying yellow ribbons around trees to welcome service members home. It activates interactive spaces to honor veterans and their families. By inviting viewers to write on the ribbons to acknowledge the sacrifices made by military personnel, the project adds a personal touch. This collaborative effort involves artist Pamela Alderman and Kent County Veterans Services.

An additional collaboration showcased Yellow Ribbon at nine Steelcase locations and spread awareness with a diverse audience. As their employees participated, the positive impact continued to grow.

Extending the initiative, the Blue Star Mothers, a support group for moms of military service members, contributed by adding nearly 30,000 yellow ribbons from the project to care packages for deployed soldiers. The responsive art created a micro-community of unity and support for our troops.

“Your service is not in vain. You are loved. You are appreciated.”
“Your service is appreciated and not forgotten. God bless you.”
“Thank you for protecting our home.”
“We would not be able to live life the way we are without people like you.”

Looking ahead to 2024, the Yellow Ribbon Project will expand with the unveiling of Art for Honor, an exhibit featuring artwork crafted by veterans at the citywide ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This immersive art fosters a deeper connection between veterans and offers the broader public a chance to hear our heroes.

We create interactive art experiences to build hope, care, and connections.

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The Collaboration of Story: Healing Imprint

Behind the ArtworkBy Pamela Alderman October 12, 2021

Healing Imprint project on display

Healing Imprint: This multi-media collage series embodies the history, suffering, and grief of our neighbors, while exploring cultural conflict in a new way. The scattered placement of random forms on the raw canvas portrays the disconnect. In life and in art, our personal narratives define us. But strangers’ stories also matter, because they are part of the collective whole. As part of this project’s interactive exploration, gallery visitors are invited to continue the artwork. By adding their story or expressing their ideas on the paintings with a pen or Sharpie, participants leave a healing imprint. The responsive work calls for empathic listening, with the intentional act to include the other.

Thor’s Story

Behind the ArtworkBy Pamela Alderman October 2, 2021

Thor

Throughout 2020, we faced a pandemic with prolonged isolation. But the Yellow Ribbon project proved to be an important opportunity to help galvanize the West Michigan veteran community. Everyone appreciated the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves.

While we learned new lessons about resilience, one of our Gulf War vets lost his highly-specialized service dog, named Thor. When Thor senses a PTSD episode or nightmare, he lays his head on the veteran’s chest until the incident subsides. Without his dog, this veteran would struggle daily. So, we banded together as a military community, contributing towards the reward to help recover Thor, because one of our veterans needed help.

Along with Thor’s story, the broken-looking trees in Yellow Ribbon portray many veterans’ stories. The trees include bits of my interviews with vets of all ages, ethnicities, and wars. This art highlights the importance of empathy and a supportive community.

Our new type of ArtPrize venue gives veterans a voice as they share their stories of struggle and healing through art.

ArtPrize 2021: Introducing America the Beautiful

Behind the ArtworkBy Pamela Alderman October 1, 2021

This is America through the eyes of our beloved veterans, the true heroes of our time. So much joy comes from our wonderful members, even in the midst of the pandemic. We learn many things from them, as their perspectives have changed throughout their lives. In this work, they have been able to express themselves through art, especially their appreciation of nature. We value them and their varying abilities and contributions to our lives. It is a privilege to see the world through their eyes.

Our new type of ArtPrize venue gives veterans a voice as they share their stories of struggle and healing through art.

America the Beautiful is showcasing at Veterans Memorial Park

A special thanks to Kent County Veterans Services, Zero Day, Finish the Mission, West Michigan Veterans Coalition, PlexiCase Inc, and Healing in Arts for making this collaboration of veteran stories possible.

ArtPrize 2021: Introducing Jodi Martinez

Behind the ArtworkBy Pamela Alderman September 30, 2021

I’m very proud to be part of a heritage of four generations of military service—my grandpa, my dad, me, and my son. To me, service in the military opened up a new world, for both good and bad. I’m grateful for all the new things I learned as a U.S. Air Force medic, such as suturing a wound, making a cast, and giving injections. I appreciated the chance to grow professionally and the opportunity to help people.

Although I faced many challenges, overall, I met some great people, developed discipline, and learned how to keep my mouth shut. In recent years, I started struggling with an autoimmune disease called Crohn’s Disease. Although I’m no longer able to work or carry on our family’s tradition of military service, I still try to help people. For example, whenever possible, I smile at others. Mother Teresa once said, “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”

Teal Enlightenment

Each year, I love visiting ArtPrize. Art has always been a part of my life; I especially enjoy drawing and photography. After getting sick with Crohn’s Disease, I learned a new art technique called quilling. To make these paper works, I use a tool with a slotted tip to roll paper strips into tight circles. Next, I pinch the rolled paper into different shapes and glue them into unique patterns.

Each design takes about eight hours to complete. After watching YouTube tutorials, I eventually learned how to create my own designs. Now, I even sell my quilling projects on social media. Art helps me to maintain a positive outlook and relax. This year, I’m so excited to be a part of ArtPrize, not as a visitor, but as an actual ArtPrize artist.

Our new type of ArtPrize venue gives veterans a voice as they share their stories of struggle and healing through art.

Teal Enlightenment is showcasing at Veterans Memorial Park