Uncategorized

Catching Up

_MG_5561 copy 2

Its been a really busy fall/winter, but we wanted to give a shout out to some of the people who have helped make this season special.  First up is Kelly Sears who curated “Unsteady Ground”. Featured is Christina Battle’s video installation “The people in this picture are standing on all that remained of a handsome residence”.

DSC_0515 copy

DSC_0539 copy

DSC_0523 copy

DSC_0526 copy

Thank you to Loop38 for bringing together two works, “Infinite Nero” by Salvatore Sciarrino and “The Coronor’s Report” by Simon Holt in their program, Murder Mystery Madness. It was an incredible and inspired performance!

IMG_3249

IMG_3247

IMG_3255

Thank you to Eric Taylor and Susan Lindfors Taylor for an epic night of music and storytelling.

GAinstall5 copy 2

GAinstall-courtyard copy

Thank you to Gregory Amenoff for sharing these beautiful paintings with us, and for hanging out with us in Galveston.

IMG_3628

Oh! And by the way, its been cold as all get out this past winter! Thank you, global warming, for your freaky weather patterns!

joshedwards.dan

Thank you to Joshua Edwards for coming to read us poetry, and beating us all in chess!

IMG_0683

And as we look forward to spring, here is a little bee hive update for you all! We did our first spring inspection of the bee hive! We found they filled the feeder box up with honey, so we removed it, and continued checking on the rest of the hive.

IMG_0686

In the first box we found it packed full of free-form comb! We weren’t very strict with our bees and getting them to build nice, straight comb, but they seem super happy doing it their way.

IMG_0687

The next box was full of older comb, so the color had gotten really dark.

IMG_0697

Taste testing our first bit of GAR honey! It was SO GOOD!

IMG_0699

Hopefully next time you come visit we’ll be able to share some honey with you!

Standard
GAR days

Festival of the Beautiful 2018

beautiful_-8

It’s the first Saturday of Mardi Gras, so it’s time for the second annual Festival of the Beautiful! We started this event along with the Galveston Arts Center and the Hotel Artist Lofts as a response to the rising ticket prices and heightened fences of Galveston’s Mardi Gras. This event is free and open to everyone’s interpretation of beauty! Costumes and handmade gifts (to be given away in lieu of beads) are highly encouraged.

beautiful_-1

beautiful_-5

The King of the Babies and Super Sallie are ready to go! But first we must consult the Oracle.

beautiful_-9

Undeterred by the pouring rain, we set out for the Artists Lofts to meet the rest of our crew.

beautiful_-10

beautiful_-13

beautiful_-14

beautiful_-15

We took refuge in the Proletariat to warm up before we began the rest of our festive journey.

beautiful_-21

beautiful_-25

Our crew paraded down Postoffice, giving handmade gifts to fellow merrymakers and onlookers.

beautiful_-27

beautiful_-32

beautiful_-26

beautiful_-33

Thank you to current artists in residence Kristina and Justin for bearing the ark back to the sacred fire!

beautiful_-31

beautiful_-35

beautiful_-34

Thank you to Becky Major for her excellent bull-horn skills, David for adding his sousaphone into our parade cacophony, and Dennis Nance for navigating our path through the fog.

beautiful_-39

After our downtown meandering we headed back to GAR to give our offerings to the magical fire.

beautiful_-41

beautiful_-42

beautiful_-46

Offerings were made, and the fire accepted!

beautiful_-50

We sealed the deal through music! Thank you to Mariana Kunst Fascion (of BOAN) for her amazing performance.

beautiful_-56

And Tex Kirschen and Erika Thrasher (of Studded Left and Indian Jewelry) for bringing it home!

beautiful_-60

Somewhere in the fog is Michael Allison, once again taking care of the sound, the lights, and the THICK MYST.

Not pictured is Dan Schmahl, because he was once again, the man behind the camera. Therefore he appears in none, or all of these pictures, depending on how you look at it.

It was an amazing night, with fun had by all!

FofB_gifts-1

Thanks to everyone who came out that night and helped us celebrate. When we emptied our pockets the next morning we found so many amazing gifts!

Until next year, you beautiful people!

 

Standard
Uncategorized

6.17.17 | Pumaman

gar show-2

gar show

Come by and see the 2016-2017 Artists in Residence show featuring work by Leonardo Benzant, Fidencio Fifield-Perez, and Pat Palermo. It’s full of mysteries!

emperorx_gar

emperorx_gar-3

A big thank you to Emperor X for coming to Galveston and playing an amazing show for our opening.

IMG_6739

We headed West with the residents for our annual after-show road trip. Here are Pat, Dan and Lucy in a Judd concrete box.

IMG_6752

The Judd’s were infested with adorable baby bunny rabbits. Donald would have loved it.

emperorx_gar-5

The whole gang on a morning hike in the Davis Mountains.

emperorx_gar-4

Rainbow over Mountain GAR.

IMG_0529

A quick bee update: This photo is from several weeks ago now, but our bees have settled in and are busy building comb, hatching brood, gathering pollen, and building up their honey stores.

IMG_6685

And introducing the newest, unexpected member of the GARgang: Pumaman! (Pronounced Puma Man). Named in honor of GAR cofounder, Bert Geary, and his dedicated work with the mountain lions of West Texas.

IMG_6912

We had been hearing the sound of a kitty in distress but couldn’t find the source for a few days. Finally we located this little one hiding in the engine of a resident’s car.

IMG_6935

We put out food and water for him, but he wouldn’t come out.  Finally we ended up spraying water into the hood of the car, and he came running out!

image1

He was exhausted from lack of food and water, in the heat of the Galveston summer.

IMG_6864

But after a few days of rest, and regular nourishment he was up and about, finding and causing all sorts of mischief!

IMG_6889

Now he’s a friendly and playful little guy, attacking everything that moves, then crashing hard for a nap on a lap. We haven’t introduced him to The Ghost and The Darkness yet, but I’m sure he’ll be a welcome addition to the GARdians!

Standard
Uncategorized

05.04.17 | The Birds and The Bees

DSC_0170

Curator, Regine Basha and her son, Ruben, visited Galveston this spring and we went to go visit the Roseate Spoonbills nesting on High Island.

DSC_0169

It’s a sight to see! 

DSC_0221

When you add in the alligators it becomes a primal nature wonderland!

IMG_6179

Here is a migrating Indigo Bunting resting in the GAR courtyard. The spring migration seems to have come a little late this year, but there have been plenty of beautiful birds passing through.

DSC_0103

New additions to the residency! Introducing the GAR bees!

DSC_0096

Here is Eric, releasing the Queen (Beeyonce).

DSC_0107

Many thanks to Anna Garza for coming to Galveston and talking about her projects empowering girls and building safe spaces for sexual minorities in Houston through the wisdom and power of Rock n’ Roll! This was a collaboration between GAR, WAKE the zine, and the Galveston Party.

DSC_0125

Afterwards, Giant Kitty played a super fun set. Thanks so much for coming down, guys! This was such a rad show!

IMG_6329

Last week we were honored to host a Da Camera Pop-Up Concert, Blow Up, My City, featuring Sonia Wieder Atherton on cello, Sarah Rothenberg on piano, and short films by Chantal Akerman.

DSC_0156

Sonia Wieder Atherton accompanying Chantal Akerman’s Saute ma ville (Blow up, My City), which she filmed in 1968 when she was 18. It was her first film.

DSC_0171

Sonia and Sarah playing Grand Duet for cello and piano (1959) by Galina Ustvolskaya. They brought the house down.

DSC_0184

The following night Karima Walker treated us to a haunting, spectral desert meandering. Special shout out to Michael Allison, who not only opened for Karima, but did all our sound and projections for the show as well. Thanks, Michael!

IMG_6372

Last, but certainly not least, a gratuitous spring garden bounty photo. This went into our bellies. The traditional GAR lunch is alive and well.

Thanks to everyone who has come out to all our music events this past spring. Looking forward to summer!

Standard
Uncategorized

2.25.17 | The Festival of The Beautiful

_mg_4854

This year for Mardi Gras we joined forces with the Galveston Arts Center and the Hotel Artist Lofts to present “The Festival of The Beautiful”.  No fences, totally free, sponsored by no one and everyone.

_mg_4847

Costumes and handmade gifts replaced store bought jester hats and plastic beads.  Eric’s wizard costume came complete with a driftwood staff, barnacle incense holder, and beach flotsam necklaces to give to strangers and friends.

_mg_4862

We left the GAR compound and joined up with the Hotel Artist Lofts.  Becky Major was playing the Euphonium!

_mg_4867

_mg_4881

Dennis Nance, Galveston Arts Center curator, looked amazing in his handmade costume and streamers. GAR resident, Fidencio Martinez, was spectacularly turned out as a potted monstera philodendron, and carried our Ark for the fire.

_mg_4890

Sallie and GAR resident Pat Palermo carried the official parade banner.

_mg_4910

_mg_4936

_mg_4958

We paraded downtown, gathering revelers as we went.  We quickly outgrew the sidewalk, walked the wrong way up a one-way street, and took over an official parade route for a few blocks, returning to the GAR compound for the rest of the Festival.

_mg_4976

We had a ritualistic burning of our Festival Ark. Each group brought their own offering for the fire. In the fire our ashes all became one.

_mg_4988

_mg_5009

_mg_5026

_mg_5042

Studded Left from Houston kicked off the show!

_mg_5082

_mg_5094

And Vockah Redu from New Orleans brought it all home! And a very special thank you goes to Michael Stuart Allison for the projections and sound. A second very special thank you to Dan Schmahl, who took all our photos, and therefore appears in none, or all, symbolically, depending on how you look at it.

Thanks to everyone who came out, made costumes and gifts, and brought the festive spirit. It was a truly special night. Hope to see y’all next Mardi Gras!

Standard
GAR days

12.20.16 | GAR Holiday Spectacular!

img_2616

The view from the GAR front gates – yes, it is that weird. Always.

img_4599

David Snyder’s prophetic show completely predicted the outcome of the election. Man, we wish he was wrong.

img_1765

Deinstalling David Snyder’s show was at least cathartic, as we destroyed the mindless spectators with a sledge hammer.

img_3938

img_0386

img_0268

img_1236

It’s been a great year so far with the new residents! Here is Pat Palermo and a gaftopsail catfish.

img_4137

Lunch is served!

img_3774

img_2875

Fidencio Martinez and Leonardo Benzant share their work in progress with UofH students.

img_2714

The artists in residence were also able to present their work to the Galveston community.

img_4014

The official GAR sport – Texas boule!

img_1911

It’s best played in an alleyway with lots of pebbles and potholes and maybe a dead pigeon.

img_3893

img_0082

If you haven’t come by to see Scott Gilbert’s “True Artist Tales” in the GAR Gallery, it’ll be up through the holidays.

img_0258

It’s what all the fancy ladies are doing…

fullsizerender-4

There’s also a new issue of Binder Magazine available. Featuring handmade incense, created from lovingly gathered fragrant woods, herbs and spices in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.

img_4687

Also, a sticker!

dan-press-photo

A behind the scenes look at Super Hit Press, where Binder is printed.

img_4926

The newest addition to the GARden – boat planter! The mast is a pluot tree.

img_1857

Gratuitous kitty photos.

img_2306

The GAR kids, being silly.

img_2253

It’s always good to end on a sunrise.

Happy Holidays, friends.

Standard
Uncategorized

9.17.16 |The Eye and The Oracle

img_4095

David Snyder explains his installation, “Knock-Off Oracle, Undecider’s Anthem… And a Disaster, After” at his opening in the GAR Gallery.

img_4073

Josh, listening to the oracle.

img_4080

In conjunction with the gallery opening we had a mini-music festival featuring 3 bands – Karima Walker, Deep Cuts, and Hearts of Animals.  This is Karima Walker’s atmospheric and haunting performance .

img_4119

Thanks to Michael Allison for his awesome projections! Looked just as good from the inside as it did from the courtyard.  This was during Deep Cuts’ performance.

img_4252

The three new residents have arrived and have begun exploring the strangeness of Galveston.

img_4031

Ghost, the GAR kitty – hard at work.

img_4351

Sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico.

Standard
Uncategorized

8 .4 .16 | Big Bubbles and Bernie on the Beach

IMG_2938

We sent off our 2015 – 2016 Residents in style – geeking out on giant bubbles!

IMG_2959

IMG_3060

IMG_3116

IMG_3159

IMG_3346

I mean, how can you NOT smile with bubbles this big? It brought out everyone’s inner kid.

IMG_2892

And snow cones!!

IMG_2895

IMG_2898

Dan puts the finishing touches on a “Bernie on the Beach”.

DSC_0013

Special shout out to Michael Waugh for planting ground cherries all over GAR. These funny little fruits shouldn’t have been able to grow in this climate, but they did incredibly well.

IMG_3005

Ghost and the Darkness having an early morning conspiratorial meeting. Caught in the act, boys!

IMG_2743

Sun rising over the Gulf of Mexico. Happy Summer, everyone!

Standard
GAR days

6.23.16 | Summertime

DSC_0017

Thanks to everyone who came out for the opening of the 5th Year Residency Show! It was a great night, with great art, food, and music.

DSC_0029

Thomas Helton’s Boomtown Brass Band was fantastic!

DSC_0016

DSC_0008

Himalayan Taste made SO much food! And we did a pretty good job of plowing through it.

DSC_0038

Big shout out to Paul Pedisich, a long time friend of GAR (purple shirt) and congrats on the release of his book “Congress Buys a Navy”. Go check it out here.

DSC_0061

The show is pretty sweet. Congratulations to this year’s residents – Zachary Moser, Diana Puntar, and Michael Waugh.  If you haven’t made it down to see it yet, come on by! It’s up until July 23rd.  You can also see more installation photos here.

marfa1

After the show opened we headed West.  Say what you want about Marfa, but just look at that sunset!

IMG_2751

IMG_2723 copy

IMG_2752

IMG_2808

Searching for cave paintings at Mountain GAR.

petroglyphs

We found them! Possibly an elk…?

IMG_2783

Dwindi still loves nothing more than a good hike.

DSC_0031

We still have a few issues of Binder Volume 1 available if you haven’t got yours yet. Contact us for more details.  This issue comes with the zine, a cd, and a poster.

DSC_0002

The GARden has been fruitful this spring, especially figs and berries. But you gotta get to them before the mockingbirds do, because those dudes don’t share!

DSC_0027

Dean Daderko gave us a cucumber seedling plant when he came to do studio visits and it has been cranking out cucumbers all summer long! 

DSC_0011

It’s officially summer, and while all the other plants are fading, the Mexican sunflowers are going crazy! And that’s what’s so great about them.  High fives to anyone who can spot the Sallie among the sunflowers.

DSC_0026

Standard
Uncategorized

2 . 19 . 16 | End of Winter Update

IMG_1312

A typical winter beach day. Sometimes when the wind is out of the north the water becomes incredibly flat.

IMG_0664

Shark Karma. But when the wind comes from the south it can get really choppy and wash creatures up on the beach. We sent this shark back into the water and it swam away fine. With all the surfing we’ve been doing around here lately a little shark karma could be useful.

IMG_0685

Sadly it’s time for Vicki’s show to come down. but not before it was visited by a ghost from Dicken’s past…

IMG_1083

Time for our show at the CAMH to come down too, but not before we do a little meditating on the Island Time…

DSC_1213

DSC_1221

DSC_1223

Thanks to Brandon Bell, Danielle Chan, Craig Hauschildt, Jamey Kollar, Matthew McClung, and Neil Sisauyhoat for coming to GAR and performing Michael Gordon’s “Timber”. It was intense and cathartic!

DSC_1202

DSC_1214

DSC_1242

Thanks to Shrimp Boat Projects for helping us bring Dave Dove, Jason Jackson, and Ryan Edwards to GAR to perform “Music for Dolphins”. This was a really unique piece that brought the concert from the Bay to the people!

IMG_6924

IMG_6926

IMG_6937.JPG

A field trip to the Oil Rig Museum in honor of current resident Diana Puntar’s birthday with Michael Waugh and Vicki Sambunaris resulted in multiple assaults by frisky mannequins.

IMG_1040

Thanks to Josh Bernstein and Natasha Bowdoin for bringing us Christmas Rune Wood. We’ve been burning it in the proper order and hope to unleash the Nordic Fire God before the Vernal Equinox! Bring on spring!

Standard