DECEMBER 2002 NEWS

The Arts and Healing Network wishes you many blessings this holiday season.

CONTENTS:
[ Blue Earth Alliance (BEA): Artists Helping Artists ]
[ BEA Project: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ]
[ BEA Project: Beyond the Surface of Breast Cancer ]
[ Interview with Billy Howard, photographer for Angels and Monsters ]
[ Featured Book: Angels and Monsters: A Child's Eye View of Cancer ]

BLUE EARTH ALLIANCE

Artists helping artists create socially conscious photographic projects

The Arts and Healing Network applauds the innovative work that Blue Earth Alliance (BEA) does as a group of artists, supporting other artists in making socially conscious documentary projects. Based in Seattle, WA, the organization was born out of a "gripe session" in 1996 between photographers Phil Borges and Natalie Fobes, who were lamenting being consistently turned down for funding because they were individuals and not a 501(C)3 organization. And so with the help of lawyer/artist Malcolm Edwards they founded their own 501(C)3 organization "to support photographic projects that inform the public about endangered environments, threatened cultures and social issues." 

Natalie Fobes	Phil Borges

What is so wonderful is that, not only did Natalie and Phil solve their own problems as individuals looking for funds, but they also reached out to support other artists with the same problem. Now twice a year, Blue Earth Alliance accepts proposals from photographers looking for sponsorship. Once sponsored, a photographer not only gains the ability to apply for countless grants that were previously off-limits as an individual, but he or she also receives guidance. Sponsored photographers are paired with a mentor from the Blue Earth Board of Directors and receive assistance on project planning and grant writing. They also receive publicity through the Blue Earth Alliance web site and newsletter.

In addition, Blue Earth Alliance has produced a wonderful booklet called Shooting from the Heartthat they distribute to all members (basic membership fee is $40). This booklet offers very thorough and pragmatic advice about seeking funding for projects. You need not be a photographer to benefit from this booklet's insights. It details information about budgeting, grant forms, book publishing and more. And it clearly outlines the four main sources of funding (individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies) and emphasizes that no matter the source "people give to their friends." So their very prescient advice is to build human connections with potential funders by write thank you notes, inviting funders to events, etc. 

The origins of the name Blue Earth are explained by co-founder Natalie Fobes, "I had been raised in Iowa. Nearby in Minnesota was a county called Blue Earth where the fertile soil is so black it often appears blue. It seemed  fitting somehow. We were creating a non-profit that would hopefully be the fertile field for ideas. When I suggested the name to Phil, he recalled photographs of the blue earth as seen from space. He said those images had convinced him that the Earth was fragile and had to be protected. So our name represents those two concepts: a fertile place for photographers to grow their projects about our fragile earth and the many unique cultures that inhabit it."

And certainly many wonderful projects have grown under the nurturing guidance of the Blue Earth Alliance. Since its creation in 1996, Blue Earth Alliance has given one grant and sponsored more than 20 projects. The topics range from global warming to the loss of open space in Los Angeles; from rites of  coming of age for young girls to the disappearing traditions of New England fishermen.  These projects are changing the world for the better. The Arts and Healing Network is pleased to highlight two Blue Earth Alliance projects that have had direct and positive impact: Subhankar Banerjee's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Project and Sharon Seligman's Bearing Witness: Beyond the Surface of Breast Cancer. Many more can be found on their web site at www.blueearth.org, where you can also learn how to become a member or apply for sponsorship.

BLUE EARTH ALLIANCE SPONSORED PROJECT:

Subhankar Banerjee's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land is a two-year photographic investigation documenting the necessity to preserve the Arctic Refuge in its pristine state. Project photographerSubhankar Banerjee spent twelve months in the field to document the year-round story of the landscape, animals, plants, birds and two indigenous cultures: the Gwichíin Athabascan Indians and Inupiat Eskimos of one of the last truly pristine wildernesses left on our planet, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Arctic Refuge has been under threat from possible oil exploration and development that would impact the ecosystem as well as the subsistence living of the indigenous people. This project has had direct impact on the decision of Congress during the 2001-2002 debate on energy legislation that had drilling for oil as a provision.

Subhankar's images were extensively used by the conservation groups in Washington, DC., to support the campaign to stop drilling. His images were made into large mounted prints (3 foot x4 foot) that were used by the members of the House and the members of the Senate during press conferences and the debates.

Subhankar himself has been to Washington, DC numerous times to support the campaign. After members of the House passed drilling as part of their energy package in August 2001, the issue became even more critical for the Senate vote. Senator Tom Daschle, John Kerry and Joe Lieberman and other Senate members used his images before the energy vote came to the Senate. In April 2002 drilling was defeated by a Senate vote of 54-46.

To learn more about this project, click here.

A BLUE EARTH ALLIANCE SPONSORED PROJECT:

Sharon Seligman's Bearing Witness: Beyond the Surface of Breast Cancer

Sharon Seligman is making a difference one person at a time. Her intimate portraits from breast cancer survivors are combined with their quotes in a powerful exhibit. Sharon Seligman's photographic essay has touched people on a very personal level. She has received many letters and emails from husbands, daughters as well as the women who have breast cancer.  In many cases, she was able to answer questions, or refer them to other web sites. They often said that they felt stronger and more hopeful after having made the connection with Sharon.

Here is just one of the emails Sharon received.

Sharon, What a great site.  I am 31 years old with stage IIb breast cancer. Today is my first day of chemo.  What a life altering journey this has been.  Your site is the most realistic portrayal of cancer I have seen yet.  You have made the road easier today.  Thank you.

One of the women she photographed told her that the process helped her to face the reality of the situation. Until they met, she had stated that there would be no photos until the treatments were over and she was back to normal. When the idea of being in the project was presented, she felt a pull toward the idea.

To learn more about this project, click here.

An Interview with Billy Howard

The photographer for Angels and Monsters: A Child's Eye View of Cancer

"If the connections you make with the people you work with are honest, then I think any project can be healing, both for the artist and the subject" -Billy Howard

Lisa Murray and Billy Howard, collaborators on Angels and Monsters

In October of 2002, Billy Howard was interviewed by Danny Hobson of the Arts and Healing Network about his most recent book, Angels and Monsters: A Child's Eye View of Cancer. In the book, Billy writes how "the picture-taking became a special moment in their lives. Everything else was negative. They were being poked prodded, examined. Then something different happened. Someone wanted to come and take their pictures. They enjoyed it, and their parents enjoyed it. Someone was acknowledging what they were going through. These were special events for them at a time in their lives that was without specialness."

Based in Atlanta, Billy Howard is a commercial and documentary photographer with an emphasis on health, education and social themes. He is also the author of Epitaphs for the Living: Words and Images in the Time of AIDS and Portrait of Spirit: One Story at a Time, images and interviews of people with disabilities.

AHN: Can you tell me about how Angels and Monsters began? Why were you drawn to photograph children with cancer?

Jared at age 5 took inspiration from the superhero Godzilla. He is a survivor of Burkitt's lymphoma.

Howard: One of my clients was a children's hospital, and I was constantly moved by the spirit of the kids with cancer. A friend of mine, Lisa Murray, worked there as an art therapist, and we decided to do a project together that would allow these children an outlet to express themselves. Lisa was working with the children already, and so she chose the families based on which ones she thought might benefit most from the project.

AHN: Can you speak a little about the collaborative process of working with Lisa Murray?

Grace, Age 3 Grace is a survivor of Neuroblastoma

Howard: We really worked separately on the project. Sometimes the art would be done first and sometimes the photograph. We collaborated, but each of us had complete freedom to approach the project the way we wanted to. Both of us saw the children as collaborators as well, and wanted to give them complete freedom to express themselves.

AHN: And how have the children and families responded to the portraits? And to the book?

Howard: The response has been fantastic. We did the initial photographs eight years ago followed by an exhibit, but have always wanted it to become a book. The eight years gave us a chance to go back and update the lives of the seventeen survivors, two of whom are mothers now with children of their own and one, a fireman. I think the book would be incomplete without this sense of hope and, although it has been a frustrating journey at times, now I am glad it took so long to complete.

AHN: What has sustained you in this project -- creatively, emotionally, and financially?

Howard: Over the past eight years I would attempt from time to time to find a publisher. But this kind of work never makes money for me. All of the proceeds from the sale of the book go back to The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). I make my living doing corporate photography and that allows me the freedom to do projects that are more meaningful to me.

When Grace was asked her picture said, she replied, "It says I love you."

AHN: Do you have any advice for other artists who would like their work to be a catalyst for healing?

Howard: I'm not sure that I could set out on a project and proclaim that it could be a catalyst for healing. I think the main advice is to chose a project that you can retain a passion for over time and if the connections you make with the people you work with are honest, then I think any project can be healing, both for the artist and the subject.

I do know that working with these children and other people in health related crisis is healing for me. I have made some of the deepest connections with people at times when they are struggling with issues of life and death, and although many of the people I have worked with have died, their spirits have remained with me.

FEATURED BOOK:

Angels and Monsters: A Child's Eye View of Cancer

Art Therapy by Lisa Murray and Photographs by Bill Howard

"My sole desire for doing this book is to let people know that these children have something very important
to say. It is our gift if we are wise enough to pause and accept it." - Lisa Murray

"Spend some time in the presence of children with cancer, and you're never quite the same again" says Jeff Foxworthy in the foreward to Angels and Monsters: A Child's Eye View of Cancer. With this book we are given the opportunity to do just that.  Art therapist Lisa Murray and photographer Billy Howard have collaborated to create a book that honors 25 children with cancer. Through sensitive black and white portraits paired with each child's own words and artwork, we are given a glimpse into their struggle with this disease. In their drawings, collages, and poetry we learn about their frustrations and fears as well as what sustain them - everything from friendship to religious belief to the superhero Godzilla. 

Most of the artwork and portraits in the book were made for a 1994 exhibition called "Godzilla vs. the Hospital." In the eight years between the exhibit and the publication of this book, seven of the children have died. The book is dedicated to their memory. Happily there are seventeen survivors, and Lisa and Billy reconnected with them, publishing updates on their lives in the back of the book. Some are married with children, many are back in school full time, and one has become a firefighter. Their stories shine as a note of hope.

This hardback book has 78 pages, including seven pages of resources for children with cancer and their families. It was published in 2002 by the American Cancer Society who will receive all proceeds from book sales. The price is $18.95. To order this book through Amazon.com, please click here.

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