come feel me
Moving from Vision to Reality
Imagine the Dream Is True
December 3 2006 - Vol 1, Issue 6
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Dear Friends and AMP Members,
imagines - nina pak

To the right is an image of a painting by AMP Member Nina Pak, entitled "Imagines the Dream Is True." The entire AMP phenomenon began with a very clear vision that I had in October 2005, which followed several years of exploratory contemplation. While the initial part of this vision is an internet-based community, its full extent reaches much further. We're nearing 2000 members in 60 countries, with more joining every day. Members around the world have been connecting through AMP since the website opened in February of this year. The November performances in Los Angeles of AMP Members missFlag from Jerusalem, Israel were sonic masterpieces. AMP Member Bekka, who I met through AMP, is already changing my life in powerfully positive ways with her artistry and friendship. The in-person connections made with real people are the most enriching, exciting, and potentially transformative, and it's clear that it's time for AMP to move to the next level: the establishment of a physical International Arts Center here in Los Angeles.

lady in red
How do you make a dream come true? For me, it always begins with a vision and intention. How does one move from vision to reality? AMP Member Stefan Duncan's painting "Lady in Red," pictured to the left, is a vibrant image of the exquisitely colorful yield of roots grounded in rich soil. The vision for AMP's first physical center is multifaceted, like its membership. The building's ground level would include a welcoming reception area, a performance space, a meeting room, a gallery space and a caf�, while the upper level would include a workshop room, an office, and two rooms with beds, for use by AMP Members passing through town. In addition to hosting performances, exhibitions, workshops, and member visits, the Center would act as an inclusive hub to connect AMP Members worldwide with the arts communities in Los Angeles and beyond. In the coming months, I'll be seeking out the right space, as well as looking for ways to fund it. If you are a grant writer, I'd love to hear from you! Drop me a line at pluginamp@gmail.com. The first AMP Center's target opening date is September 1st, 2007.

The first step toward funding the establishment of this center is a benefit and fundraiser, to be held at Art Share Los Angeles on Sunday, December 17, from 7-10 pm. If you live in the Los Angeles area, we want to see you there! Click below for more details. Fundraiser proceeds will go both to offset administrative costs and to gather funds to establish the AMP Center, while art supplies will be collected to benefit the Free Arts for Abused Children program in Los Angeles (read to the newsletter's end for more on their program). Kids are welcome too! If you don't live in the area but would like to contribute, see the "support AMP" page on the AMP website for how to help.
Listing Ship
AMP is very proud to feature AMP Member Heather Lockie's band Listing Ship as our AMP Members of the Month! Founded in 2002 by Lockie and math professor Lyman Chaffee, this groundbreaking band, known for their unique compositions and harmonies, will be performing at AMP's first benefit & fundraiser. While Chaffee and Lockie have been performing together since 1992 in an art-rock band called Leather Hyman, the 7-member Listing Ship line-up has added an entirely new dimension to their repertoire. Lockie, an English and music teacher, as well as an illustrator in her spare time, plays viola, banjo, piano, and violin. She is a primary songwriter for Listing Ship, and has worked on film scores as well as played with such various national and local live acts as Eels with Strings, Arthur Lee & Love, Macy Grey, Brian Wilson, Sparklehorse, and W.A.C.O. Other members of Listing Ship have played with Lydia Lunch, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Motels, and The Negro Problem, among others. It's been said that "their music is lush with banjo, violin, violas, string bass, and mandolins, which could moisten the ears of the driest listener" (http://www.unbrucoblu.it/), and they've been characterized as a mix of Sonic Youth with violin and viola! Listing Ship has received a really huge amount of positive attention for their album "Time to Dream", notably from http://www.spin.com (Band of the day), the Los Angeles Times (Buzz Bands column featured band), LA Record (featured band), http://www.ign.com (Album of the Month), and Los Angeles radio station KPFK (Album #1 of 2005). In June of 2005 Nic Harcourt, Music Director at the famous KCRW radio station in Los Angeles, California, picked up "Time to Dream," giving it considerable pre-release airplay. The members of Listing Ship are currently recording their next full length release (working title "A Hull Full of Oil and Bone") with a tentative release date of January '07 on the artist collective True Classical CDs. When performed live, their acoustic sound is augmented with charming and evocative arrangements, multi-vocal harmonies and unusual rhythms. Listing Ship is a kaleidoscope of joyful musical experiences that finds the ideal dimension in live performance. If you live in the Los Angeles area, don't miss seeing them live at Art Share Los Angeles on Sunday, December 17!
feedme!
To the left, you'll see AMP Member Justin Thyme's "Feed Me," an update of Edvard Munch's "The Scream." How do you "feed" the growth of a community? Build bonds with those whose vision resonates with your own. AMP supports the Los Angeles "Free Arts for Abused Children" program, whose vision is to heal through art. From their website, here's their mission statement: "Free Arts sparks the creative spirit of abused, homeless and at-risk children and their families to inspire and transform their lives through the power of artistic expression. Free Arts plants the seeds of hope and healing to help children build self-esteem, improve social skills, develop trust with caring adults and express emotions in a positive way. The philosophy behind all Free Arts programs is simply that “Art Heals!” " To read more, click below and go to their website. And don't forget - art supplies will be collected for their program at AMP's benefit and fundraiser! See the AMP website for their wish list.

I'm so excited that AMP is moving into a new phase, planting seeds for new growth in the new year. As always, I'd love to hear from you, no matter what part of the world you call your home. I'd love to see your art, such as the piece featured at the top of this newsletter, "Come Feel Me (Apophysis)," by AMP Member kits. If you're coming through Southern California, send me an email. Your inspirations, contributions, and experience are welcome! No matter where you are and where you're going, have a look in AMP to see if there's another AMP Member there you can meet who can make your stay more enjoyable, interesting, and creative. And if you want to tell someone about AMP, the very easiest thing to do is click the "Forward Email" link at the bottom of this newsletter.

Kindest regards,

 Terri Grey Hat
Terri Anderson, Executive Director
AMP: Artists Meeting Place and Resource Collective

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