three things we love

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Outsider Art Fair

Selene Perez, courtesy Creativity Explored, SF, CA

W. Tucker, courtesy Koelsch Gallery, Houston, Texas

James Castle, courtesy Hirschl & Adler Modern

Oscar Azmitia, courtesy Pure Vision Arts, The Shield Institute

I look forward to going to the Outsider Art Fair every year in New York City and I am happy to report that yesterday I was back there again after a two year Covid hiatus..Although I can't invite you to come along, I can share a video from a past show which will give you a taste of it and the types of art you would see there. .

Outsider art or Art Brut is a term that translates as 'raw art', originally invented by the French artist Jean Dubuffet to describe art such as graffiti or naïve art which is made outside the academic tradition of fine art. It encompasses a wide range of artists from those that are self-taught, artists with disabilities, child art, art of the mentally insane, folk art, primitive art--in short, art that exists outside the mainstream academic art world and is often made out of a compulsion to create rather than a commercial motive.

I have been a long time fan and proponent of community organizations that support artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I remember the first time I was walking in downtown Oakland and came across a supermarket size space of people hard at work. The studio seemed to have everything: a ceramics area, people doing embroidery, printmaking, painting, sewing, working with wood and making the most beautiful of things. It literally brought tears to my eyes when I found out what I was looking at: a group of people with disabilities of all types, normally people the society would consider throwaways, engaging in the most productive of ways, creating beautiful art and giving meaning to their lives... Every community should have a place like this!

Places like Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California and ArTech Collective in New York afford these "outsider" artists a venue to practice their art, while providing them with a variety of art supplies and support, enabling them to realize their full potential as practicing artists.

Sound of Silence

Simon and Garfunkel Concert in Central Park, 1981, NYC

My friend Eileen shared this story about Art Garfunkel (of Simon and Garfunkel fame) and his blind friend Sanford Greenberg, revealing the origins of the song The Sound of Silence. The touching story reveals what a deep special bond the two had and reminds us that we all have the capability of impacting the life of others in a very meaningful and everlasting way.

And while we are at it, here are three of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs: The Only Living Boy in New York, Kathy's Song and A Heart in New York and the full Simon and Garfunkel Central Park Concert from 1981.

Joanne's Famous Artichoke Squares

I think of this recipe as a Thanksgiving one since our family's festivities around that holiday always began with hot mulled cider and these delicious artichoke squares made by one of my favorite cousins--Joanne Kahn. At a time when we are finally resuming gatherings, I thought this would be a good time to share this hors d'oeuvres recipe with you. I guarantee this one will be a hit, no matter what time of year you serve it....

ARTICHOKE SQUARES:

INGREDIENTS
2 small jars of artichoke hearts in oil, drained
1 small sautéed onion
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
4 eggs
1/2 pound grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4/ teaspoon salt
pinch chopped oregano
pinch chopped parsley or flakes
small cooked onion

INSTRUCTIONS
chop up artichoke hearts
Beat the eggs
Combine all ingredients together

Spread mixture into a greased square 9 inch pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes
Cut into squares and serve.

Charity of the Week:
Jose Andres World Central Kitchen

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow Mandala Series: No War mixed media on canvas 54” x 54” $7500

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow created the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow. And by the way, let me know in the comment section what you think of the new haircut...