Dear friends of the South Haven Center for the Arts,
As many of you know, the staff, board, and volunteers have been preparing for an exhibition this summer from National Endowment for the Humanities, Frida Kahlo's Garden. We signed the contract to receive this exhibition back in December of 2017, and many hours of hard work have been put into preparing to receive and execute such a large exhibition, as well as planning to fill the summer with accompanying events and programming. Both the Frida Kahlo's Garden and the Exhibition Advisory Committees worked with community partners, art teachers, and artists to put grand and detailed plans in place. So it is with true disappointment that I share with you that we have had to cancel the traveling exhibition. Due to the Covid-19 situation's effect on the timing and the heightened risk to our staff, volunteers, members, and visitors, there was too much to overcome. We are currently on a waiting list to receive the exhibition in the future, but this possibility remains unclear.
Now, it is with extreme pride and gratitude that I share that our organization has been able to pivot quickly and to lean into the work we can do at this time. We will continue to bring the spirit and inspiration of Frida Kahlo and her garden to South Haven through a garden and poster exhibition in the downtown as well on the outside of the art center, through online events and exhibitions, and through your participation.
The work we were putting into the Frida Kahlo's Garden was with the intent of expanding the Center's mission to enrich our community through the arts to a heightened capacity and reach and to grow the audience that is represented in our work. As the director, I am so proud of all that we are learning, and to see our organization grow stronger during this time. It is with the support of the board, our members and volunteers, that we continue to shine.
Please join us in a creative and inspiring summer. Get ready by reading Carol Trittschuh's blog post to visit Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul along side her. Then visit our newest online exhibitionBeyond, Behind, Beneath...Narrative Self-Portraiture a National Juried Exhibition of artists inspired by the self-portraiture work of Frida Kahlo. If you have been making Ojo de dios- don't stop we do need them! Check back on our website, we will be posting all the activities as plans finalize.
Lastly, please mark your calendar for 5pm on Thursday, June 4th to join artist Paola Gracida on ZOOM as she beautifully ties in our current moment to the work, garden and life of Frida Kahlo, and explores how the Center and our community can embrace this opportunity in Frida's spirit. Register in advance here.
With gratitude,
Kerry Hagy
Executive Director
South Haven Center for the Arts
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