2009 Edition Welcomes New Artists!

The project kicked off the other day. We have two new artists, Mimo Gordon Riley and Kenn Speiser. Both are a great addition to the project. Susan has a new room this year - just as warm and creative as her former space only this time it is bigger and architecturally more interesting with overhead beams running through one section. (I wonder if it has been decorated for this Hallowe'en). 

Mimo Gordon Riley

Mimo Gordon Riley is primarily an oil painter, with a particular interest in trees. That interest may result from her having completed her formal arts education  at the Portland School of Art in Maine, the pine tree state. She has also studied in Florence, Italy, New York, NY, and at the School of the Museum, Boston, MA. 

Mimo has exhibited extensively in Rhode Island and Maine - most recently at Gallery Agniel and the Space at Alice in Rhode Island, and the Seven Knots and Mulford galleries in Maine. Her website at http://www.mimogordonriley.com showcases her work. 

The 02863Project 2009 Edition!

The ALRI-Timberland 02863Project will fly again for the 2008-2009 academic year. We will be working again with Susan Vollucci and the students at Central Falls High School. Thanks to generous contributions from ALRI we were able to purchase the boots this year. (Timberland's fortunes in the marketplace, have, well, stuttered, like the rest of the market). The calendar this year will allow for a little more time - we plan to begin the project in November and end it in May 2009. Looking forward to another exciting year. 

Boots Go on Tour - United Kingdom

The boots have made their splash in Rhode Island, but they have also been on tour in the United Kingdom. Johanna spoke about the boot project in Aberdeen, Scotland and Cardiff, Wales. 

These are the boots at Castle Eilean Donan on the shores of Loch Duich. 

It's a Wrap for 2007-2008

The 02863Project has a summer vacation before we start up again in the next school year. Our visits to Timberland have been rewarding and it looks as though they will again support the project. This time will be much easier as we know the teacher, the process, and have all the materials.

We raised over $10,000 for the project and awarded three $1000 scholarships that will be renewable for a second year. The funds are for books and art supplies - an increasing cost for college students and a barrier to many who have worked hard to get to college and put together packages of grants and loans to further their education.

Thanks to all who supported the project and I look forward to seeing the boots on the streets in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York and many other states.

Celebration!

For the celebration, Max Covill, RWU 08, made a video to explain the project to the attendees. In the video, three of the participating artists, Evelyn Rhodes, Bill Heydt, and Felica Touhey, reflect on the project. The video also shows the classroom interactions and students' finished boots.

Celebration and Auction - 6 June, 6:30 - 9:00PM Sponsored by the Gabelli School of Business, Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI

The 02863Project will close out this year's events with a celebration and auction at Roger Williams University, Friday, 6 June 2008, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. The auction features sixteen pairs of Timberland first quality boots, each uniquely hand painted by an ALRI artist. Images of those boots and a description follow. Each artist and their boots are profiles - there are two pages so click to go to the next page.

The funds raised will go to the 02863Project Scholarship Fund to support Central Falls High School Art Students who pursue higher education. The fund has already raised over $6000, so we hope many people will come and bid at the auction.

The celebration and auction will be held in the courtyard of the architecture building. This allows us to use the jumbotron to view the videos and slide shows that document this project.

Looking forward to seeing you there. As it says on the invitation card, enjoy a light supper, bring your enthusiasm, and bid high and often.