TRAJECTORY
Trajectory is a career development program for visual, literary and performing artists in Humboldt County, CA and a program of The Ink People Center for the Arts. This is an interview with Trajectory founders Kristi Patterson and Angie Valetutto and artists Jaimal Kordes, Cicely Ames, and Debbie Zeno.
WHAT INSPIRED THE FOUNDING OF TRAJECTORY? WHAT MAKES YOUR PROGRAM A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ARITSTS THAT ARE INVOLVED?
Kristi Patterson: The inspiration for Trajectory arose from the work that I had been doing for the last 12 years as director of a typical, segregated art center for people with developmental disabilities. Fantastic art was being created and shown, but it was obvious there were artists there who needed more focused, individualized support to really make their artistic dreams into reality. There were also a number of people who could not be supported because of the complexities of their medical issues. I have an innate belief that the world should be an inclusive place, and a segregated environment does not give people enough opportunities to learn and grow. Trajectory was designed to support artists with disabilities in a new and exciting way.
WHAT TYPES OF COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY PROJECTS HAS TRAJECTORY BEEN INVOLVED WITH?
Angie Valetutto: Since starting up in August of 2012, Trajectory artists have been engaging in a range of collaborative community projects. A group of artists made the trip to Petrolia to visit with marble sculptor Dennis Handy. In conjunction with local performing group Synapsis, two Trajectory artists participated in the All Species Parade in Arcata, September 2012. Several artists
assisted Peter Santino with the installation of his solo art show at the Morris Graves Museum in Eureka, December 2012. A group of 4 artists rehearse weekly for a performance project at Synapsis. Several Trajectory artists participated in a Lantern Making Workshop in conjunction with the Creamery Festival in Arcata, August 2013. This is a handful of projects, mentioned briefly. Two artists have written in a little more detail about two community collaborative projects.
Jaimal Kordes: One project was the Handmakers Fair. It was August 3 of this summer and Trajectory was getting ready for the street fair in Old Town in Eureka. It was very exciting and fun. Fellow artist Cicely Ames and I came into town and helped set up the booth and tent so it could be ready, but most of it was set up already. I was setting up for my cartoon portraits and my artwork that I was going to sell that day. Cicely set up her art stuff like poetry bookmarks, mosaics, and little greeting cards that she makes. I got to learn social skills and money handling and most importantly kicking up my drawing skills too. I got to meet a lot of people like couples, animals like dogs and chickens, and children that wanted to be drawn. There was also live music that was great to see and there were a lot of people with their families and pets. There were a bunch of all kinds of different art related booths everywhere; hats, beads, shirts, etc. It was fun. Cicely and I were there from noon to 7:30pm, and we both were very tired at the end of the day. It was really awesome life work and art experience.
Cicely Ames: The Body Discourse Project is about the body and contact improvisation. The Body Discourse Project is a contemporary dance project. It includes several dancers. Some are from Synapsis and some are from Trajectory. Synapsis is a dance performance space for dancing and other performances. This is a community based project collaborating and going big. Eventually we would like to perform in San Francisco and Oakland. Angie and Leslie put together a grant for the performers that dance. There’s a stipend. We are happy to get the grant so we can become paid dance performers. We are planning to set up a Kickstarter fundraiser, so we can raise money to go towards our expenses when performing outside of Humboldt County.
WHAT ARE SOME ART PROJECTS THAT ARTISTS AT TRAJECTORY ARE WORKING ON? HOW ARE THEY SUPPORTED WITH THESE PROJECTS?
Angie Valetutto: Trajectory supports artists who are pursuing a wide range of art-career related goals and projects. Allen Cassidy is developing his curatorial skills installing art shows in various businesses in Humboldt County. Sometimes installing his own artwork, and at other times installing local artists’ artwork. Lilyán Navarro is working on researching and writing a young adult historical fiction novel, which has required support with research trips to Eugene and Brookings, OR. Soodie Whitaker was assisted in becoming a member of Uncooked Culture, so that he could submit and show his artwork in the show Circus Terminal that is traveling the world. His artwork has been on display with this show in Pennsylvania, Thailand, and Amsterdam, to name a few. Shoshana McAvoy received support to create an Etsy site: DreamDesignsbyShosha. Three artists wanted to talk about one of the many career-oriented projects they are each currently working on.
Debbie Zeno: I intend to do performance art. I traveled to San Francisco recently to see Axis Dance. I was amazed to see performers who are in wheelchairs like myself. I realized that I can dance. I have an upcoming performance with a dancer who will be on stilts. I can’t wait. With the love, support, and guidance of Trajectory staff, I was able to attend the show in Oakland and I will be performing. As a former athlete, I will do something I have never done. This is so different. I was scared at the thought, but Angie encouraged me to do it. Seeing Axis Dance gave me the inspiration. Now I’m going to be onstage.
Jaimal Kordes: On Thursdays, every week, I go and teach a student of mine and teach her art and art skills that she wants to learn. I have the support from a Trajectory facilitator who drives me there. It’s fun.
Cicely Ames: A project I am working on is my own website. I have my watercolor paintings that I put on my website, some mosaic vases, my poem bookmarks, my ceramic vase based on my poem: “Bruised and Battered”, and some homemade cards and my aprons. It’s not quite done yet. The way Trajectory helps me with my website is by showing me how to use the camera and computer to take pictures and they help me by teaching me how to set up my project so it looks good on my website.
IS THE PROGRAM SITE-BASED? CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE STRUCTURE?
Kristi Patterson: Trajectory is community based. The studio where people create most of their work is in a community art space belonging to The Ink People Center for the Arts. The space also houses their Brenda Tuxford Gallery where Trajectory artists are able to volunteer and gain new skills. Other support is given in the community in natural settings such as galleries, other art studios, libraries, community classes and work shops, performing art spaces, fairs and festivals, local businesses, colleges and in artists’ homes. Providing so much support that is not at one specific site encourages people to get to know and become a valued part of the community in which they live.
ANY EXCITING FUTURE PLANS?
Angie Valetutto: It’s hard not to dream big about our future plans. We have some projects already in the planning stages such as, facilitating artists with taking college art classes, with getting small art related businesses established, and with continued exploration of avenues for artist exposure in the community. When I think a little further into the future, I let myself dream big about the range of artistic experiences that I want to make possible for artists with Trajectory: art shows outside of Humboldt County, attending an art related International conference, artist residencies in places such as San Francisco and New York City, to name a few. Though these big goals seem daunting to make a reality, I am inspired to pursue them. I had dreams of being able to help facilitate performance-geared artists to be paid performers in a show that is then performed in the San Francisco area, and that dream is becoming a reality. So, when it comes to future plans….I keep dreaming big.
