“Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” ALA

October brings Banned Books Week, a reminder of how dangerous censorship can be. The First Amendment protects our right to free speech—which includes not only the freedom to write, but also the freedom to read what we choose. This month’s #virginiacreates calendar addresses that subject directly.

In this collage I’ve included an “I Read Banned Books” bookmark alongside 2 covers of books that have been challenged - Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderlands and Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Along with the quote from Katherine Paterson, 

“Reading can be a road to freedom or a key to a secret garden, which, if tended, will transform all of life.” 

"Once Upon a Time" with tags at the Morse Institute Library

Katherine Paterson, is an American writer best known for her children's novels.  Her book, Bridge to Terabithia, won the Newbery Medal in 1978 as well as been on the top 100 banned/challenged books since it's publication in October 1977.

I feel strongly that any form of censorship undermines the very fabric of our Constitution and the safe, imaginative space that creativity depends on. Right now, as our freedoms face increasing threats, this issue feels especially urgent.

look at these awesome tags!!
added after just a few days on display

In fact, the Natick Public Library invited me to create an installation for their October programming on banned books. The piece, Once Upon a Time, is participatory: visitors are invited to write the title of a banned book they have read, want to read, or want to reread on a tag, which is then added to the work. These tags are attached to a cape made of safety pins and beads that drapes over a tunic constructed from book covers—just a fraction of the many titles that have been challenged or banned in the U.S. Together, the piece grows as a communal celebration of literature, resilience, and freedom.

This year Banned Books Week is October 5 – 11, 2025 and the theme is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.”  Many libraries and organizations celebrate the right to read for the entire month.  

With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale "1984" serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship. This year’s theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights. https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned

'lilith's room ...' is open and waiting for visitors!

My installation 'lilith's room ...' is now installed, and is ready and waiting for visitors.  

When you arrive in the gallery 'lilith ...' will beckon you to her unique room where a feast in blue and white awaits you.  'lilith's room ...' is a safe place to daydream and disappear, to wonder what and where you are and in this environment, what would you do??

photo by krismariephotography.com

'lilith's room ...' to the left, 'why is a writing desk ....' mixed media painting on canvas,
 'dress of plastic ...' on the right

I have created a dedicated blog page for this installation where I plan to post more photos, videos and further information about this piece.  Also I encourage you to leave any thoughts or comments on that page. 

thank you and peace ~

'lilith's room ...'
Anderson Gallery/ Bridgewater State University
August 19 - October 25, 2021 

Art Center and Gallery
Open to the Public 
Monday thru Friday, 9am-4pm. 
Closed Holidays 
Handicap Accessible 
tel.508.531.2510 

40 School Street
Bridgewater, MA 02325
email: Anderson Gallery

so this is happening ...

Earlier this year I was invited to have a solo exhibition at the Anderson Gallery at Bridgewater State University.  When touring the gallery space I was told that I could paint on the walls which made my heart jump for joy.  

One of my favorite exhibits had been my installation 'this comes from within ...' which was staged at Michael Dowling's Medicine Wheel, back in 2009.  For this piece I covered the walls of the gallery with what I now refer to as my 'intuitive line painting'. So when I was presented with the option of painting on the gallery's walls I jump at it.

Instead of covering the entire gallery I decided to concentrate on one side of the gallery, creating a space centered around my sculpture, 'lilith in blue ...' For this installation I have covered a desk, a medicine cabinet, a rocking horse and a hanging panel of fabric, along with numerous knick-knacks, with my 'intuitive line painting' in blue and white, to create 'lilith's room ...'  

I am very excited about this installation.  I have been painting the components in my studio for the past few months and wish to share a few of the 'in process' photos and videos here.

lilith's rocking horse ...

flipping the hanging fabric panel to paint the other side ...

the second side of the fabric panel wit ladder

a quick look at how I create the particular line quality for my 'intuitive line painting'

a colleague suggested that my process creates a look similar to batik.

This is quite an undertaking so watch this space as there is more to come ...

thank you and peace

Last Day to see 'flirt, the installation'

'flirt, the installation' at mother brook art, dedham

"Flirt" ends TODAY!!!!! Hours 12-6, 123 High St. Dedham

'flirt, the installation' on location at mother brook

This exhibit at the Mother Brook Arts and Community Center in Dedham seems too short even with the added two week extension due to popular demand :)  

But as the saying goes . . . all good thing must come to an end . . . 

Curators Martha Wakefield and and Jeanne Williamson did an amazing  job collecting a beautiful array of art ~ from Michael Seif's exquisite photos (click here to see more of his work) to Merill Comeau's  fiber pieces (click here for more) to meticulous drawings, vibrant paints, intriguing altered envelopes and so much more (see bottom of post for the full list of artists). 

I was so honored to be ask to create an installation for the exhibit and so thrilled about how it turned out. 'flirt, the installation' works perfect in its designated space, the landing on the stairwell in this beautiful old-school  building!

It was quite a pleasure working with the curators and the executive director, Jean Ford Webb. And I adored working in the space! 

I was one of those kids who loved school and especially loved buying school supplies, so working in this old school gave me a comforting feeling, with its large windows, beautiful wood floors, large chalkboards.  

I really regret that schools aren't built like this anymore, so much natural light!! However I am so relieved that this school was converted into an art center in lieu of being razed!! Many people echoed that sentiment during the opening and artist talk.

As it always is I am sad to break down the show, and even a bit more with 'flirt, the installation as she was created for this spot.  But I do I know in my heart that she will fly again! 

However!!!  if u can today, go see this piece in its original home, picture don't do her justice! 

Happy Friday!! Xxxx

Flirt features the work of 14 contemporary artists of international, national and regional renown working in a diverse mix of media and conceptual framework: Patty Chang and David Kelley, Merill Comeau, Christiane Corcelle, Virginia Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Kostojohn, Danielle LaPointe, Judith Monteferrante, Robin Reynolds, Michael Seif, Iris Sonnenschein, Martha Wakefield, Jeanne Williamson, and Wendy Young.

The show was curated by Martha Wakefield and Jeanne Williamson.