CMMAG Presents: "The Gift of Art" 2012 Calendar

Calendar measures 9"x 12", and sells for $10, plus flat rate shipping. 
Ready to Purchase?  Click "Buy Now" button at right.

We are excited to announce the creation of "The Gift of Art" 2012 calendar.  A collaboration between CMMAG and Arts for Life, Durham, it features joyful, colorful artwork created by the program's critically ill children at Duke Children's Hospital.

Our collaboration was a natural match; CMMAG's mission is to advance the education of mixed media arts, and Arts for Life is a 501-C non-profit organization, dedicated to providing artistic education and emotional well-being to children across the state of North Carolina. 
By providing educational art programs, they enrich patients' lives, nurture their minds and spirits, and encourage positive healthcare experiences for children and their families.  To learn more about Arts for Life, visit their website.

Every dollar from the sale of "The Gift of Art" calendar will go to support the programming of Arts for Life.  To purchase calendars, click the "Buy Now" button at right, which will take you to PayPal's site.  You don't need a PayPal account to use this feature.
If you are local to the Raleigh, NC area, you may purchase calendars at the 11th annual Jerry's Artarama Art of the Carolinas event, November 10~13, 2011. 

Thanks and a big round of applause to everyone involved in producing "The Gift of Art". 
Printing provided by:  Henry Wurst, Inc.; Layout and Design provided by:  Victory 500 Marketing, and Distribution provided by the members of the Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild.

CMMAG at the 2011 North Carolina State Fair

     Member Madeline Schneider entered two pieces in the professional artists category, and had both pieces chosen by the jury for inclusion in the Fair exhibit.  It was the first time she had ever entered her work.  She was very excited to hear the good news, and to see her art in the exhibit.  Madeline said, "just thinking about how many people were able to see my work displayed among so many other wonderful artists makes me humble. Now I feel inspired to create, my fears are fading away, and this is my greatest achievement!"

Congratulations, Madeline!  We share your excitement, and look forward to seeing your pieces 'in person' at a meeting soon.   

"There is Always a Way"; canvas 18" X 24", acrylic, mixed media, collage

"Portrait of a Lady"; canvas 18" x 24", acrylic, mixed media, collage

September Member Interview: Christine Candora-Hickey

"Mysterious Rings on the Horizon," chosen for inclusion
in Raleigh's SPARKcon photography exhibit, 2011

Christine Candora-Hickey

Photo Album:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkyalchemy/











1. What inspires you to create?
A lot of my inspiration comes when I least expect it and in the most unexpected ways. I dream up a lot of projects during my long commute to work.
Maybe it's the fact that I'm half-asleep, but ideas seem to just come to me during that time. Otherwise, I get sparks from magazines (not just art-related ones), books, songs, the NC Museum of Art, long walks, and people watching.

2. When did you decide to pursue art or did art pursue you?
I really believe that art pursued me. I learned to crochet in when I was 8 so that I could make booties for my, and my friends', Cabbage Patch Kids. I learned how to make simple bound books in high school to make cool photo albums for friends. Throughout my life, I have always done something creative. In my adult life, I became interested in rubber stamping which led to mixed media which has now lead to photography. Who knows where art will take me next?!

3. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?
I have a real hard time calling myself an artist as a title. When used as a descriptor or label, I guess it's no different than "sister" or "wife" or "friend". In that way, if I wasn't an artist I would want to be something that made me happy :)

4. What other jobs have you had which have aided you on your artistic path?
None. My professional background is in Elementary Education and currently I work as an office manager for a non-profit. I am eagerly seeking a job that would combine my experience as an educator and non-profit administrator with a focus on the arts.

5. At the art supply store, which section do you gravitate to first?
The acrylic aisle. Color and texture always get me excited!

6. What new technique or art form would you like to learn? Do you have plans to do so?
Right now, I'm really excited about the possibilities with incorporating photography into my art. I would love to learn more about historical and alternative processes, being that they are more hands-on and in line with my love for mixed media. I am taking classes at Art & Soul in 2012 that have a photography/imagery slant and I am also planning to take classes with Diana Bloomfield, an accomplished Raleigh-based photographer specializing in alternative and historical processes.

7. If you could do anything, and knew you could not fail, what would you choose to do?

I have two different dreams (I think back-up dreams are as important as back-up plans). I would love to either own a gallery that specialized in showing emerging artists or run a community-based art school.

We know some artists who'd love to be included in your gallery, and some kids who'd think a school like that would be great, Christine!  Thanks for the interview.