CCAI Press Release - Art-in-Print Field Guide

Capital City Arts Initiative [CCAI]
CCAI Art In Public Program ['CAP']

Carson City, Nevada


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2007

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Capital City Arts Initiative
PRESS RELEASE

"CCAI Field Guide Art in Print Project"

[Photo Editors Please Note: Scroll Down for Photography]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"CCAI Field Guide Art in Print Project"

"CAP," CCAI's year long focus on art in public, continues this week with "Field Guide," an art-in-print and online project by Seattle artist Jennifer Montgomery.

Two hundred copies of the 'guide' were printed in Seattle by the artist in the University of Washington Printmaking Department studios. They will be assembled in mid-May with the help of volunteers in Carson City, and distributed on May 14 and 15 to local cafes, bookstores, the public library, shops, and to people visiting the historic downtown.

The artist explains: "I produce the website for the Seattle National Public Radio news station. I'm constantly tapped into the news. Not a day goes by that I don't hear about a suicide bomb attack in Iraq. When a radio story grabs my attention I go online for more information and visuals. From the pieces that I gather, a landscape has been building in my mind and on my computer, a collection of metal and rubber, twisted frames and axles, from which I've produced a 'field guide.'"

She adds: "I chose these forms for their intimacy: the publication is hand-held and fits in your pocket. The web site is displayed on a monitor just a few inches from your face. With each, I want to create a moment of contemplation and peace."

The guide is pocket-sized and folds out like a map. It contains images harvested from the Internet. A companion web site returns the images to their original context. The site launches Wednesday, May 9 at www.mediamaker.us/fieldguide/.

Jon Winet, CAP curator adds: "We're delighted to commission a project that further explores the range of possibilities for artists working in public space." Earlier CAP art projects include a mural by Reno artist Erik Burke, interactive dance performances by New York conceptual performance artist Elaine Tin Nyo, and "How To Cross The Street," a group exhibition at Western Nevada Community College. The title to the exhibition refers to the efforts of artists to display their work in more community-based situations, beyond traditional gallery and museum venues.

Ms. Montgomery's professional art career began at the age of nineteen at the Lower East Side Printshop in New York. She has degrees from the University of Washington and the University of Iowa. In September she was a presenter in CCAI's "Nevada Neighbors" lecture series on contemporary art.

The Capital City Arts Initiative is an artist-centered organization committed to the encouragement and support of artists and the arts and culture of Carson City and the surrounding region through community building and public programs. Its activities include contemporary art exhibitions, live events and arts education programs for the area’s diverse adult and youth populations.

CCAI is funded by the Carson City Redevelopment Authority; the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; the Gannett Foundation; the James W. Calhoun Foundation; U.S. Bank; Gayle Crowell; Coldwell Banker Best Sellers; Carson High School; UNR Art Department; Carson City Library; Nevada Hispanic Services-Carson City; CCAI's Board of Directors; BrAG, CCAI's 'Brilliant Advisory Group'; CCAI's Business Leaders; and CCAI's growing membership.

CCAI extends special thanks to Joe McCarthy; Steele & Associates, CPAs; the Dan Leck Family; Westside Ink Bookstore; Carson Harley-Davidson Buell Dealership; David Ruf, Greenhouse Garden Center; Dr. Kim Bean, Dr. Jeffrey Bean; Carson Shopping Center; Capital City Entertainment; Rick Sikes, Nevada Green; Stew’s Brewery; Western Nevada Community College; Sherwin-Williams Paints; Kelly Moore Paints; the Fuller Paint Center; and Simpson Creative.

For additional information visit CCAI’s website at www.arts-initiative.org.

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caption: CCAI CAP artist
Jennifer Montgomery

caption: Detail of "Field Guide." Art-in-print
project by CCAI CAP artist Jennifer
Montgomery.