Jonny’s Gifts
- leadagency
- Oct 29
- 3 min read
When I met Jonny Skye, the Peoria tribal citizen, she allowed LEAD to choose one of her paintings to visually represent this year’s Tar Creek Conference, only to discover the title “It is in the Water” would also serve as our theme. The other paintings needed to be seen and I was pleased when she agreed to allowing us to host an art show for the public.
Downtown Miami came to life one night this week at the time most towns close up. LEAD Agency held space open to the public at Main Attractions, the City’s owned space right in what I would call the “arts district.”
This painting and the other Skye paintings were hung professionally to be most pleasing to the eye. Color and movement took the viewer around the room to see and experience each fully. I was drawn to one and then another. I could see others’ viewing routes stop only to join in conversation with fellow viewers.
As one entered the space many may have stopped to engage with Doug Lee with his unique metal creations or nature enthusiasts viewed the remarkable photography of Tom Whipple. LEAD brought the pair of Chris Mantle Bisons standing in their clean Tar Creek, the day and night versions each painted at a Tar Creek Conference in the span of a single day. They stood looking at each other for possibly the only opportunity, before they are separated forever, with the new owner taking the night S.TAR to his new home in Carthage to live with the senior attorney for the Waterkeeper Alliance. The “day” version goes back to the LEAD Agency to reign over the work we do to advocate for the clean Tar Creek he will enjoy one day.
Before the doors were opened to the public, the Bison pair were placed against the wall, the package Colby Allen had wrapped to protect what we believed would be ONE enlarged 2’ x 5-foot print, only to discover FOUR prints! We placed them atop the standing Tar Creek Bisons. The images of what remains of the mine waste left at the Tar Creek Superfund site. Each image was stunning and alarming. The black and white prints taken by a newly announced MacArthur Genius awardee, Matt Black. Assigned by Magnum Photo and sent by the Anthropocene Alliance, Matt spent 2 weeks with LEAD Agency and took amazing photographs of people and place. Resting atop these great Tar Creek Bison the prints depict what destruction came after the defenders of the plains were removed.
Throughout the evening, the open door brought in former students of mine for quick and refreshing catchups on what life experiences they have had. The come and go effect of dear friends and friends yet to be, made an interesting experience, paced well in the space to not feel rushed or crushed.
Each of the paintings were named and if you were lucky enough to capture the artist Jonny Skye, one could learn what came to her to create each one. They each have a story just as we all do. Those moments in time that stop us and ground us, or sometimes grind us to pieces, too! She just took the time to memorialize some of those moments on canvas.
Congratulations to the City of Miami for making the wonderful investment with the building, their Main Attraction. Much gratitude to having our Art Show be part of the downtown late-nighter. The space is lovely and calls out to be galleried again for future events to feature the amazing artists who live around us. LEAD would love to host another round, and then another there or at a place you might help us find.
Get out your easels, your clay, your beadwork, find the media that pleases you and begin creating. Beads and cloth, water colors and clay call to me.
We have so many dangers, much to worry about, but what might free you could be to begin to reach inside and bring out the expressions that lie within unspoken longing to be seen.
Let this be your year to explore or return to the art that calls to be part of your life.
It is in the Water still called out to me. I feared she would be sold and walk out the door, leaving only a space on the wall. But, then, by gift, she now hangs to inspire the work the water requires.
She rests with me.
Respectfully Submitted ~ Rebecca Jim