AROUND THE FRAME

Women’s art show

benefits SCAN

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Currently I am up to my eyeballs in preparations for the Macedonian Patriotic Organization’s 89^th annual Convention. So this week’s column comes to you from Macedonian-American artist and elementary art teacher Christina Baloski.

As an art teacher at Perry Hill Elementary I have the joy of working with young and enthusiastic budding future artists. I also create art in my studio at the Lotus building on Lafayette Street next to the African American Museum. Although it is tough to simply have enough energy to create anything at the end of a school day, I consider myself fortunate to be able to have somewhere to run off to where the rest of the world cannot reach me so easily.

I made a decision late last year that in order for me to strive to be the best version of myself I need to be a teacher and experience the rewards teaching has to offer and I need to have time for my own creations and artwork. I think there are many people out there like me, just trying to find the delicate balance. Sometimes we convince ourselves that other things are more valuable and minimize our core need to create. We make excuses as to why we can’t nurture our own creativity and give as well.

It is with this thought that the whole idea of Flourish came about. A few weeks ago several area women artists came together at the Lotus Gallery for a week to create art. It was very casual-people came and went as their schedules permitted. We were stepping towards making the whole process of art important again by making the time to come together while filling the desire to give back to our community.

Flourish, a Silent Auction and Art Show Opening benefiting SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) will open Friday, September 17, from 6 – 10 pm, at the downtown Lotus Gallery. Areas artist’s artwork, area children’s artwork, and donated silent auction items will all be part of the Silent Auction.

Artwork varies from colorful illustrations, organic ceramic pieces, and layered drippy oil paintings, to mixed media pieces including textiles, gold leaf, resin, and wax. Featured artists and artwork will include Fort Wayne artist and National Illustrator, Lynn Rowe Reed; Fort Wayne artist Karen Moriairty; and area artists and art teachers Dianna Huxhold, Christina Baloski, and Greta Sirois.

Another component of the Flourish: Silent Auction and Art Show benefiting SCAN will be donated items as well as the artwork of area children. Children depicted the idea of caring, nurturing, and flourishing in a variety of styles and mediums with the idea of donating their work for the Silent Auction to benefit other children.

Join us for the opening as many people come together for a great cause. Admission is free. All artwork will remain on exhibit through the Trolley Tour on September 23. While you’re downtown be sure to stop by the International Blast on Wayne Street the same night!