Kelly Shaw Willman + Guatemala

original foto: Statia Grossman, embellished by me

Dear Lovely ~

My name is Kelly Shaw Willman. I am an interdisciplinary artist living in Costa Rica. For me, 2017 is all about bringing my focus back to my foundational passion, my purpose, Performance Art. In *getting on my feet* this last year in the jungle of Costa Rica's Caribbean, an incredibly distinct, beautiful, and sometimes challenging environment, I've not had nearly as much time to work on Performance Art. I look really forward to doing so (again) soon, and you can help me get started. 

* * * PLZ NOTE: I am drawn to do a quick and focused campaign for 7-9 days. In this way, I am able to access donations in time for my trip to Guatemala on the 29th. 

foto: Statia Grossman

I am the scholarship recipient to a really special gathering for women in Guatemala at the end of January through early February. In order to travel from the Caribbean to the capital city here in CR, and ultimately within Guatemala, I am seeking donations that total $420. About $20 returns to gofundme, (there is a small fee <3-5%> to have a campaign) but ultimately I will use $400 to:

a. travel by bus, shuttle, and taxi within CR and Guatemala ~ (I already have my roundtrip plane ticket!)

b. afford budget-friendly places to sleep (within CR and Guatemala)

c. purchase art supplies for the performance I am giving at the gathering in Guatemala (feathers, glitter, fabrics, flowers, etc.)

original foto: Krista Abramoff, embellished by me

a scene from my on-going performance art project, "new/mind/ritualz." foto: Hai Phung Tran

* * * More about my performance as part of the Soul Seed Gathering in Guatemala: My performance pays homage to Yoko Ono's "Cut Piece," which you can view below. "Cut Piece" was originally performed in 1965, whereas the version I've shared is more recent; I like them both. :)


... As is the case with all of my performances, my work in Guatemala will be documented and subsequently shared to my blog and social media pages. An audience will be invited.

What is distinct about this performance in Guatemala is the "next level" vulnerability + power it evokes. For the first time publicly, I will become nude. Another note is that my performance, though inspired by one of art history's heroines, will be infused with original Kelly*ism's, meaning, I will recycle/re-invent the rituals that have been a part of my original performance art repertoire since I began making it in 2005.

performance still, Maine. foto: Samantha

performance still, Brooklyn. foto: Arhia Kohlmoos

performance still, Costa Rica. foto: Statia Grossman

* * * About my direction in the near future: I recently wrote an 11-page art proposal that I am in the process of editing and re-submitting for some "start-up funding + art support." Throughout the history of art, patronage has been the biggest blessing to artists, because it grants them  the time and supply-access to create their works ~ in my case, it's time for larger scale, more elaborate works.

... Sometimes people reach more than their goals. If I raise more than my goal of $420, I would begin to chip away at projects I've included in the art proposal I referenced above. Here are a few examples, in order of importance.

* I'd donate back to Soul Seed Gathering. 

* I'd purchase more supplies for my jewelry business, so as to grow my creative income.

* I'd purchase more supplies for my performance art projects, so that I can give back art to my local and online communities.

* I'd hire a local designer to launch a cohesive artist's website, an absolutely necessary reference as I begin to apply for grants.

* I'd create larger scale works, including a mini experimental jungle opera.

* Another larger scale work I'd like to pursue in 2017 is a music-video-meets-short-film based in Brooklyn ~ it will be a largely collaborative work with my kindred*spirit*artist*friends based there. 

If you'd like to know more about my art proposal, please contant me.

* * * Here are some links that will help you to form a picture of what I'm up to:

You can learn more about the gathering I'm attending in Guatemala by exploring: http://soulseedgathering.com/
Scroll down just a little bit on the homepage for a beautiful video about the gathering; it features bits from a local cacao ceremony that is a special part of my life.

You can learn more about my art and archives by checking out my blog: http://kellyshawwillman.blogspot.com/ 

Check out this particular article on my blog, an archive about my on-going performance art project, "new/mind/ritualz." http://kellyshawwillman.blogspot.com/2015/10/newmindritualz-archive-chronological.html 

Check out this performance, part of "new/mind/ritualz," from this time last year:


Check out this video I made as part of "new/mind/ritualz" also: 


kelly's golden rose, my jewelry business and (current) primary source of income, can be viewed as an Etsy Store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/kellysgoldenrose

kelly's golden rose on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellysgoldenrose/

kelly's golden rose, foto: Hai Phung Tran

kelly's golden rose, foto: Hai Phung Tran

* * * Closing details + summary:

* I take a lot of pride in being transparent about how dollars will be used. So, I will keep track of my expenses on this trip, and will publish it to my blog in mid-February.

* It is my intent to receive some "new patronage" for this particular campaign ~ people I've met in my local community in the last year, people I've met in my travels, new friends on social media. Those of you who have supported me in the past are of course welcome to donate again, but I wanted to make it clear that "new eyes" and "new support" is sweetly hoped for. :)

* You are helping an underground, loyal, determined artist to pave her own way (in lifestyle and in the name of art) by supporting this campaign ~ a leap of faith for all of us, I know, but if you dig it, you dig it. :P

My he/art is yours, and I thank you for taking the time to read this, and hopefully donate. Feel free to spread the word by sharing this on your social media pages, or emailing someone with whom this project may resonate.

performance still, Costa Rica. foto: Statia Grossman

xo,

* kelly ~ ~ ~