Tag: I Am More

I Am More Project

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Gloucester’s very talented artist Amy Kerr sent me the next couple of events for the I Am More Project.

Dear I Am More subjects,

I’m starting to prep for the next exhibit at South Shore Plaza in Braintree (flyer attached). We’re going to be taking down Holyoke and putting up SSP in one day, so the dates to see the exhibit are March 14-April 9.

Because there are now 40 of you, and an exhibit with the display panels can only include 20, I’m going to be mixing you up at each location. This will be based on people who live closest to the exhibit, and as much diversity as possible in the subject matter. You have all been included in one of the last two exhibits at Northshore and Holyoke, so the South Shore Plaza exhibit will include:

  1. Jessica and Mila
  2. Carol
  3. Jerri
  4.  Josh
  5. Jonathan
  6. Patrick
  7. Arielle
  8. Chris V
  9. Danny
  10. David
  11. Eliana
  12. Margot
  13. Ryan
  14. James
  15. Chris C
  16. Joe
  17. Áine
  18. Ryan M
  19. Seth
  20. Erin (welcome!)

We are able to hang portraits simultaneously in locations that do not require the panels, so if you know of schools, libraries, non-profits, businesses, healthcare facilities who might host a display of 1-20 portraits that you could help facilitate, let me know.

Upcoming press includes the April issue of Northshore Magazine, and it sounds like Fox 25 might be doing a piece from the South Shore Plaza exhibit.

Enjoy these last cold days of winter!

Thank you Amy Kerr

I Am More Founder/Artist

amykerrdraws.org

I Am More Exhibit

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

You are invited to the first Cape Ann exhibit of

I Am More: Massachusetts  

20 new portraits and essays from around the state addressing how we are more than mental illness, addiction, disability, diagnosis, poverty, abuse, and persecution

The portrait subjects come from all parts of the state and range in age from 18-86.

 

Where:

Hosted by Ocean Alliance at the Paint Factory, upstairs in the newly-renovated brick factory building, 32 Horton Street, Gloucester

When:

Thursday August 19th 4-8 pm as part of the Gloucester Culture Splash series. In addition to the exhibit, there will be a Cape Ann Makers Market at the Paint Factory with 25 artisans, crafters and makers. Check out the Discover Gloucester website for the citywide arts event schedule and a map for free trolley and water taxi rides between locations (Thursday night only).

Friday August 20th: 12-5

Saturday August 21st: 12-5

Sunday August 22nd: 12-5

Feel free to share this email, blog post, or the attached flyer.

I Am More is a public art and writing project to remind us that we are more than our mental illness, health diagnosis, physical disability or life situation. Regardless of the adversity we face, we all have skills, gifts, loves and hopes that are sometimes overshadowed. The project features portraits in pastel and colored pencil by Amy Kerr accompanied by essays by the subjects about all the ways they are more than their challenges.

 

 

AMY KERR’S “I AM MORE” ON CBS BOSTON!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Dear Friends,

As many of you are aware my wife Amy has been running an Art / Mental health Awareness project called I Am More for the last three years. You can read more about her work here; https://amykerrdraws.org

She just opened a new show of 20 portraits and stories that she has been working on for the last year and a half. Our CBS Boston News affiliate did a great story on this new series of portraits & stories, you can watch it here;https://boston.cbslocal.com/…/4194891-i-am-more-than-this-…/

The story is just under three minutes in length but it is a deep dive into the project.

I feel that our work on whales and oceans is topical (Charismatic Megafauna) and people like to talk about it. Mental health is one of these issues that is clearly not talked about enough, even though there seems to be a mental health crisis affecting both young and old right now.

I am very proud of the work that Amy is doing, not only to shine a light on this topic but as they say in the news, to get people talking about it.

Sincerely

Iain

MESSAGE FROM AMY KERR “I AM MORE” SERIES

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Dear friends,

When I finished the original I Am More portraits in January of 2018, they were so well-received that I decided to keep going, and expand the project to the rest of the state. I’m finishing up the last of 20 new portraits called I Am More: Massachusetts, which includes subjects from Cape Ann, to Boston, to Cape Cod, to Amherst and everywhere in between, talking about opioid addiction, cancer, postpartum depression, surviving the Holocaust, learning disorders, bullying, suicide, sexual abuse and more. Brave individuals who are sharing their voices to help others – you may recognize someone:

I’m working on planning five regional exhibits of these new portraits in Boston, Worcester, Amherst, Lawrence and the North Shore.

It’s been 19 months of drawing, traveling, meetings, fundraising, editing, and outreach.

So far I’ve raised $24,200 of my goal of $40K to pay for these portraits and exhibits, so I have $15,800 left to raise to make it to my goal and bring these to the public.

Here’s where you can help!

I’ve written a blog post explaining I Am More: Massachusetts with links to all of the portraits and the amount I need to raise. Ocean Alliance (our fiscal sponsor) has added I Am More to their donation page so that people can easily make a tax-deductible donation to the project. If you would consider sharing the link on Facebook that would be incredibly helpful: https://amykerrdraws.org/2019/09/04/help-bring-i-am-more-massachusetts-to-the-public/

All of the info and instructions are in the blog so all you would need to do is share the link, and if you’d like to add a few words about what the project has meant to you, feel free.

Thank you so much for helping get these faces and voices out there!!

Amy

Closing soon: Amy Kerr I am more Sawyer Free Library July art exhibit

Posted on by Catherine

Selections from Amy Kerr’s I Am More series on view in beautiful Matz Gallery, Sawyer Free Public Library July 2019. Learn more here

AMY KERR solo exhibition_I am More_Matz Gallery_Sawyer Free Public Library installatino views20190723_©c ryan (1)AMY KERR solo exhibition_I am More_Matz Gallery_Sawyer Free Public Library installatino views20190723_©c ryan (2)

The ongoing series has grown and been displayed in different configurations and groupings at numerous venues, encouraging repeat visits and consideration. Here is an installation view from the iteration at Cape Ann Savings Bank May 2019.

installation view_AMY KERR_I am More_at Cape Ann Savings Bank_20190524_©c ryan.jpg

The I Am More Project

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

I Am More at Gloucester High School

 Amy Kerr’s I Am More portraits and essays are on display at Gloucester High School for the month of March, thanks to the time and planning of art teacher Lorrinda Cerrutti, and the support of Principal James Cook. The portraits, including Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, are on display downstairs in the main show case and on the third floor in the art wing thanks to the generosity of the Art Department. A special thank you to the ROTC for allowing their case to be used for this display.

 

 

I AM MORE

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Amy Kerr’s project, I AM MORE, will be hosted at the Action Inc. until October 30, 2018.  Also here is example of Amy’s amazing work.

This month the I Am More portraits by Amy Kerr are being generously hosted at the Action Inc. headquarters at 180 Main St., Gloucester on the first floor and in the stairwell up to the second floor. The colored pencil and pastel portraits of mostly Cape Ann residents of all ages celebrate how we are more than our grief, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, addiction, eating disorders and dysphoria with an essay written by each of the subjects. The portraits will be at Action Inc. until October 30th. For more information about I Am More please visit https://amykerrdrawsportraits.wordpress.com, and to inquire about hosting a monthly display contact Amy Kerr at amykerrdraws@gmail.com.

 

I Am More and Fish Tales

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

 On Friday, September 14th at 7:30 at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center the Gloucester Writer’s Center will present an evening of their wildly popular live storytelling series, Fish Tales, with the theme “I Am More.” Join storytellers Rob Newton, Anita Pandolfe Ruchman, Ramani Rangan, Hattie Mae Rich, John Graham, Karen Pischke, Annie Marshall and more, along with guest host Nicole Richon-Schoel. Feel free to spread the word on social media with the attached flyer.

 

See you there!!

 

I Am More Opening Exhibit

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

I Am More Opening Exhibit

 I Am More is a project that began in Gloucester to help people remember that they are more than their mental suffering. The opening exhibit will be held this weekend at the Paint Factory, hosted by Ocean Alliance, featuring 16 portraits in pastel and colored pencil by Amy Kerr, accompanied by essays written by the portrait subjects about all the ways they are more than their struggles. The exhibit will also feature work by artists Loren Doucette, Susan B. Field, Brenda Malloy, Rebecca Siswick Graham, Donna Ardizzoni, Katherine Richmond, Ramani Rangan, Joan Keefe, Anita Pandolfe Ruchman, Sophie Trumbour, and Gloucester High School students Gianna Cabral and Kyla Snell. The event will feature the original music of portrait subject and composer, Chris Cho. On Friday evening at sunset there will be live acoustic music on the Paint Factory patio provided by Kitt Cox and Susan Wood. Come join us Friday from 7-10 pm for the opening reception, and Saturday and Sunday from 9-5 pm, and see all of the new work that has been done on the inside of the Paint Factory under the leadership of Geoffrey H. Richon Co., Inc.

 

Save the date

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

I Am More Opening Exhibit:
Hosted by Amy Kerr Draws Portraits and Ocean Alliance:

June 15, 2018 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
June 16, 2018 9:00 am –  5:00 pm
June 17, 2018 9:00 am –  5:00 pm

32 Horton Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Details

We are more than our depression, addiction, grief, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorder, bipolar disorder, dysphoria and obsessive compulsive disorder. We are parents, children, and friends with loves, gifts and dreams.

Join us for the first public unveiling of the I Am More portraits, plus work by Cape Ann artists and Gloucester High students and learn how they are more than their mental challenges. Participate in an art installation to add your voice.

SAVE THE DATES FOR AMY KERR’S UPCOMING “I AM MORE” TRAVELING PORTRAIT SHOWS

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Beginning in July there will be I Am More portraits traveling to Gloucester City Hall, Addison Gilbert Hospital, Gloucester High School, Emerson College, Gloucester Stage Company, Action Inc., Lahey Behavioral Health, The Open Door, Cape Ann Cinema and Stage, Cape Ann Coffees, Magnolia Library and Community Center, Eastern Point Lit House, Cape Ann Animal Aid, Backyard Growers, Saltwater Massage Studio, Cape Ann Power Yoga, Willow Rest, Maritime Gloucester, and Sound Harbor Music School.

If you would like to host a display of one or more portraits in 2019 please let me know. You can see the portraits and read the essays here: https://amykerrdrawsportraits.wordpress.com.

Stay tuned for I Am More: Massachusetts…

Thanks for your support!

Amy Kerr