The Scarlet Cord: Healing for Sex-trafficked Children is now showing at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Students and community members are invited to interact with the work by tying a scarlet cord. The scarlet cords are a reminder that children are enslaved in human trafficking all around the world—and even in places like Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The Scarlet Cord
March 12 – 14, 2018
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, Michigan
ArtPrize Nine, Let Go, in progress
We are celebrating nine years of exhibiting at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan as we get ready for ArtPrize Nine. Enjoy.
ArtPrize Nine, Let Go (detail shown), Pamela Alderman, 19 x 6 feet, Multi media, 2017
I’ve actually lived through eight ArtPrizes, earned all eight t-shirts, and watched amazing provisions unfold over the past eight years. But even after eight years of ArtPrize experience, these questions still haunt me: Will I be able to pay for my big ideas? Will I be able to secure a top venue? Will my work communicate hope and healing? The struggle is always ongoing. But, thankfully, donors, the perfect venue, friends, and volunteers, come together every single time! All arrive as special gifts.
In September, my new interactive healing installation, Let Go, will debut at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel for ArtPrize Nine.
Be an art patron! Purchase one of Pamela’s unique paintings to help fund her ArtPrize 2017 interactive healing installation.
It’s time to power down for the summer. See you back in September for Let Go at ArtPrize Nine. Enjoy barbecues and sunshine with your family and friends!
About ArtPrize
Since 2009, ArtPrize is the world’s largest open art competition. This 19-day event in Grand Rapids, Michigan draws more than 500,000 visitors with around 1500 participating artists. This unique event involves local and international artists, art, and active community participation. Veteran ArtPrize artist and facilitator Pamela Alderman is known for creating a new kind of artist/viewer work that invites audience collaboration. Her work lets others speak and respond. In 2015, her work, Hometown Hero, was voted into the Top 20 and finished 3rd Place for Time-Based exhibits. Pamela has been an ArtPrize artist since 2009.
Pamela has two painting in this year’s Festival 2017 Regional Arts Exhibition. Night Cries I has received the “Second Generation of Festival Award.“ The Opening Reception for the festival will be held on Wednesday, May 31, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kendall College, Woodbridge Building.
Night Cries I and II
Festival 2017 Regional Arts Exhibition
Kendall College, Woodbridge Building
17 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
You are invited to explore the fine art and great food at the Arts in Ada Festival on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 9 am to 4 pm. Over 90 artists and artisans, including my own work, will be displayed on the beautiful tree-lined Bronson Street in Ada, Michigan. This year I’m excited to also participate as a judge for the art competition. Visit adaarts.org to learn more.
The 23rd Annual Arts in Ada Festival is now accepting applications for this year’s juried art exhibition on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Over 90 artists and artisans will display and sell their fine art and fine crafts on the beautiful tree-lined Bronson Street in Ada, MI.
NEW! $1,200 IN CASH PRIZES! This year I will join the Ada Arts Council as a special guest Juror, and together we will award the top three fine art artists and the top craftsperson during the Arts in Ada celebration.
Fine art:
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $300
3rd Place: $150
Fine craft:
Best in Show: $250
APPLY TODAY! All visual art mediums will be considered, including but not limited to: painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, mosaics, mixed media and fine crafts. For more information, or to apply visit: adaarts.org. Applications are due on or before May 1, 2017.
The Scarlet Cord Collection with Night Cries and The Scarlet Web will be unveiled at Grand Valley State University. The evening will include a presentation by artist and facilitator Pamela Alderman and an opportunity for the visitors to co-create with the interactive healing installation.
GVSU EXHIBIT AND PRESENTATION
The Scarlet Cord: Healing for Sex-trafficked Children
Grand Valley State University – Frederick Meijer Honors College
Exhibit: April 3 to 7, 2017
Presentation: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 6:00-8:00pm
Frederik Meijer Honors College (multi-purpose room)
120 Niemeyer
4046 Calder Dr.
Allendale, Michigan 49401
Sponsored by Frederick Meijer Honors College, GVSU Women’s Center and Eyes Wide Open.
It is difficult to ignore a baby’s cry that pierces the nighttime. Every new parent desperately needs sleep, but the baby’s cry, in the dead of night, tugs at hearts and demands a response.
Like the baby’s cry, the tears and groans of the victims of sex crimes at The Scarlet Cord exhibits tugged at my heart and forced me to respond. The new painting series, Night Cries, is my creative reaction to the history of pain and devastation experienced by many who visited The Scarlet Cord.
For Night Cries, voice actors recorded actual sentences from the victims I encountered. Then a videographer turned the recordings into audio sound waves. A collection of abstract paintings have been interpreted from audio sound waves.
Though it may take a lifetime to heal from the physical, mental, and emotional wounds of the victims of sex crimes, healing is possible. Like loving parents responding to a baby’s needs, a compassionate community can tenderly help these victims begin or continue their journey to wholeness and wellbeing. We can no longer ignore the cries of those enslaved in the sex industry. A collective response is needed to help end to trafficking.
For more information on how to book The Scarlet Cord for your next event, contact ally@watercolorbypamela.com