Helena Public Art Committee (HPAC) Projects
"Art of Impermanence" presentation by migratory artist Mavis Muller
October 15, 2010
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HPAC PAST EVENTS
"ART OF IMPERMANENCE"
The public was invited to attend the "Art of Impermanence," a free presentation by migratory artist Mavis Muller on October 15, 2010 at UM-Helena College of Technology, 1115 North Roberts. A reception followed the presentation.
Each autumn Mavis leaves her studio-home in Alaska, and travels south to communities outside of Alaska. For 20 years she has followed her "land partners," the migratory Sandhill cranes, down the pacific and central flyways, returning again in spring.
Along the way, she is advocating for these birds and their threatened and vanishing habitat, as well as inspiring others with basketry exhibitions, speaking, performing, and teaching. She also facilitates projects of outdoor, community interactive, impermanent art. For more information about the artist, visit mavismullerart.com/profile.html.
Her "Art of Impermanence" lecture shared images and stories from her Burning Basket Project as an experience of interactive, impermanent art. Gathered from her background in creating baskets and woven with the desire to engage the public in a unique, living art form, Mavis has facilitated burning baskets in many communities. The large, intricate basket is given as a gift to the people, infused with decoration and spirit by willing participants, and finally burned, dramatically and upwardly releasing positive messages and heartfelt sentiments.
Mavis also taught a basket-making class on October 16, 2010. Class size was limited to 10 people, and was designed for beginners and for all ages. Participants made a basket, to keep, of natural materials such as cattail, grass, willow, and alder by using traditional weaving methods, combined with an innovative and imaginative spirit.
Both events were cooperatively sponsored by UM-Helena College of Technology Continuing Education and the Helena Public Art Committee, an appointed advisory committee to the Helena City Commission that promotes public art works in the Helena community and informs residents and visitors about the many pieces available to the public for their enjoyment. Support was also provided by the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.