Artists collaborate on love-themed project
Artists Holly Walker, Kristin Johnson and Lizbeth Zimmerman worked with seven other artists to produce ‘One Heart, Many Hands.’ (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)
SANDPOINT — If all the world needs now is love, sweet love, then 10 local artists have done their duty to society.
Painter Holly Walker and ceramist Lizbeth Zimmerman headed up a team of 10 artists to create “One Heart, Many Hands,” a multimedia work of art depicting a heart broken into several sections. In its complete assembly, the heart is pieced back together, the color scheme and design drawing each portion back into the whole.
“We didn’t see it assembled until we put it together just last night,” Zimmerman said.
“We love how it turned out,” added Walker. “I think it’s gorgeous.”
The project started only 10 days ago, when Zimmerman heard from a friend about a similar collaborative effort that they were undertaking as a fundraiser. Zimmerman contacted Walker with the idea, and together, the two artists figured out a color scheme and design for the overall piece. They then selected artists from around the community to participate in the project.
“I sent out messages to a handful of Facebook friends,” Walker said. “The whole thing came together within a couple hours.”
Each artist brought a different focus to their piece. Altogether, “One Heart, Many Hands” contains elements of ceramics, glass, acrylic paint, collage and canvas on its plywood base. Aside from some guidelines like color scheme, shape and size, each artist was free to express their concept of love in their own way. Although the 10 artists only had about a week to finish their piece in time for the show, everyone completed their assignment without issue.
“It was a great example of artists coming together and pulling through,” Walker said.
In addition to Zimmerman and Walker, Fran Summerday, Catherine Earle, Woods Wheatcroft, Ana Monfort, Sara McTavish, Kristin Johnson, Lillian Lassen and Jennifer MacDonald contributed to the project.
The artwork debuted Friday night at Studio 524 in the Evans Brothers coffee shop along with love-themed artwork from a number of local artists. In addition to the art, the Edwards Park Trio contributed music for the evening. Jupiter Jane’s Traveling Cafe, a bus converted into a fully functional coffee shop, also served during the gallery.
The artists are currently taking offers to sell “One Heart, Many Hands” as a complete piece. If they line up a buyer, they plan to give a portion of the proceeds to KRFY community radio.
Both Zimmerman and Walker said they were very pleased with both the outcome of the project and the gallery itself.
“This just seemed like a good time to get together with the community and friends and focus on love,” Walker said.