Ace Weeky December 2007JONESIN
Latitude collaboration with Jones Art + Design = New York City Exhibit
By Crystal Bader
Occasionally opportunity strikes before you have lined
up all your ducks in a nice neat row, but if you have
the appropriate amount of confidence, or more accurately perhaps, chutzpah, you may be able to make a little
wine out of water.
up all your ducks in a nice neat row, but if you have
the appropriate amount of confidence, or more accurately perhaps, chutzpah, you may be able to make a little
wine out of water.
Philip Jones seems to have this ability. Jones started Jones Art + design a few months ago.
Located in a very small building on Maxwell, Jones has been selling his own handmade clothing and artwork as well as artwork made by many other regional artists. Jones has an especially
keen interest in artwork made by self-taught artists. This is what brought Jones to Latitude Artist Community.
Located in a very small building on Maxwell, Jones has been selling his own handmade clothing and artwork as well as artwork made by many other regional artists. Jones has an especially
keen interest in artwork made by self-taught artists. This is what brought Jones to Latitude Artist Community.
He has been exhibiting eight or so Latitude affiliated artists regularly, including Jessie Dunahoo, who’s been creating quite a stir in both the Kentucky and national arts community. (You’ll be
able to see his work—and Latitude—featured in an episode of ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover in February, for example.) Now, along with several other Latitude artists, Dunahoo is set to make his New York City debut at Andrew Edlin Gallery on December 13, but before that, the artists behind Latitude and Jones Art + Design will see him off with a fundraiser at Latitude
on Friday December 7, from 5pm to 7pm.
able to see his work—and Latitude—featured in an episode of ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover in February, for example.) Now, along with several other Latitude artists, Dunahoo is set to make his New York City debut at Andrew Edlin Gallery on December 13, but before that, the artists behind Latitude and Jones Art + Design will see him off with a fundraiser at Latitude
on Friday December 7, from 5pm to 7pm.
Dunahoo is 74-years-old, blind and deaf. He has lived in rural Kentucky his entire life. The Andrew Edlin Gallery says “these stacks of quilts are quiet yet loaded with information, unfolding like three-dimensional drawing books imbued with an intricate structure and a prismatic narrative.” 
Local artist and Latitude co-founder Bruce Burris says,
“Jessie Dunahoo has created indoor/outdoor environments for many decades. Mr. Dunahoo was raised on a farm during a period when supports for people considered to have disabilities were even more limited than they are today.
“Jessie Dunahoo has created indoor/outdoor environments for many decades. Mr. Dunahoo was raised on a farm during a period when supports for people considered to have disabilities were even more limited than they are today.
Apparently Mr. Dunahoo attended the Kentucky School for the Blind for at least a couple years. Beyond this Mr. Dunahoo was largely left to his own devices. Living on a farm in the 1930s-40s allowed Mr. Dunahoo an opportunity to manipulate outdoor space and in so doing to created environments which he composed by moving earth and brush often by hand and also by finding and assembling objects/debris which were
then placed in an ordered way throughout then manipulated. Sometimes objects were places in significant places on the ground but most often they were placed in trees and bushes. Jessie used various fences and trees to hang intersecting
strings, ropes, wires, etc.—which could be grasped and threaded—in reality following a 3-D road map which he used (uses) in finding his way around outdoor space.”
then placed in an ordered way throughout then manipulated. Sometimes objects were places in significant places on the ground but most often they were placed in trees and bushes. Jessie used various fences and trees to hang intersecting
strings, ropes, wires, etc.—which could be grasped and threaded—in reality following a 3-D road map which he used (uses) in finding his way around outdoor space.”
Commenting on how he was able to connect this group of artists to a New York City Gallery, Jones says, “Jones Art + Design has developed organically over the past six months. My brother and I created the shop as a part-time studio/shop, which functioned as both a workshop
and a commercial space. The idea was to print shirts, make clothing, art, etc…and sell it alongside the work of the other local and regional artists in the front room. Things have since changed, and we have transformed the studio space into an exhibition room open to artists or groups of artists that we feel are challenging and deserving of recognition.
and a commercial space. The idea was to print shirts, make clothing, art, etc…and sell it alongside the work of the other local and regional artists in the front room. Things have since changed, and we have transformed the studio space into an exhibition room open to artists or groups of artists that we feel are challenging and deserving of recognition.
The opportunity to show work by the Jones artists in Chelsea, NYC has given rise to a new aspect of the shop. Itwill continue to develop and while maintaining a place in
Lexington, we will start looking for venues to install the shop in the U.S. and abroad. Art fairs, galleries and museums will eventually be the shop’s home.”
Lexington, we will start looking for venues to install the shop in the U.S. and abroad. Art fairs, galleries and museums will eventually be the shop’s home.”
Lexington Vice Mayor and arts patron Jim Gray says of Jones’s efforts, “It’s great when someone young and enthusiastic does something wild and crazy like opening an art
gallery in Lexington! That’s what Phillip Jones has done…and not just that, but Phillip has connected with a significant New York gallery, Andrew Edlin, to sell them on the
idea of an installation that features mostly Kentucky artists.
gallery in Lexington! That’s what Phillip Jones has done…and not just that, but Phillip has connected with a significant New York gallery, Andrew Edlin, to sell them on the
idea of an installation that features mostly Kentucky artists.
A very big deal! So Phil clearly represents a wonderful kind of throwback to the good old American style boosterism of yesteryear…and of tomorrow as well.” He adds, “Six months ago, Phil didn’t even have a gallery space…and today he has a gallery here in Lexington
and plans for an exhibition of his stable of artists in New York! Like I said, it’s a very big deal.”
Incorporating Latitude artists into the mix has been a key component in creating a successful venture with the Andrew Edlin Gallery.
and plans for an exhibition of his stable of artists in New York! Like I said, it’s a very big deal.”
Incorporating Latitude artists into the mix has been a key component in creating a successful venture with the Andrew Edlin Gallery.
Jessie Dunahoo, a Latitude-supported artist, will actually be the featured solo exhibit with other Latitude artists exhibiting as well in the project SPACE.
Lexington artist Louis Zoellar Bickett says of Latitude and Bruce Burris, “When I think of ‘Community Outreach’ I think of Bruce Burris and Latitude. He is the perfect amalgam
of philosophy and action. His work with Latitude, is in my view, one of the most important ‘art works’ being produced in the country. He is giving hope and meaning to those in society that have the least voice, the learning challenged. The icing on the cake of this group is that the work produced by these artists is nothing short of amazing. As a collector of the work, I encourage others to buy it as well. I predict that the Jones Art + Design/Latitude’s exhibit at the Andrew Edlen Gallery in NYC will be an enormous success. I salute Bruce Burris and his group of important artists at Latitude and wish them well in NY. In short Latitude is a National Treasure.”
of philosophy and action. His work with Latitude, is in my view, one of the most important ‘art works’ being produced in the country. He is giving hope and meaning to those in society that have the least voice, the learning challenged. The icing on the cake of this group is that the work produced by these artists is nothing short of amazing. As a collector of the work, I encourage others to buy it as well. I predict that the Jones Art + Design/Latitude’s exhibit at the Andrew Edlen Gallery in NYC will be an enormous success. I salute Bruce Burris and his group of important artists at Latitude and wish them well in NY. In short Latitude is a National Treasure.”
Everyone connected to Jones Art + Design and Latitude is excited about the prospect of exhibiting art in New York City. Currently Latitude artists are displaying artwork they have created about New York City at Latitude’s exhibit space at Third Street Coffee, and Latitude is hosting an artists’ recognition and fundraiser prior to the trip at Latitude. Burris says, “I love it, this is a total by the seat of our pants effort, no grants, corporate sponsors, whatever! We are doing this because we have the opportunity; like the understudy who gets a shot at the lead role. Fortunately Jessie Dunahoo is going to be able to go to NYC and has the funds for it and so do one or two other Latitude artists. We are trying to raise some money so that those who are traveling to assist in installation, etc., will be somewhat more comfortable.
It’s a crashing on floors style trip, but it’s necessary that a number of us go to install Jessie’s work in the gallery among many other details. The recognition part of the event
will be for those artists who cannot attend the gallery opening in NYC, and the fundraiser is to raise some money for those who are traveling to install the work.”
It’s a crashing on floors style trip, but it’s necessary that a number of us go to install Jessie’s work in the gallery among many other details. The recognition part of the event
will be for those artists who cannot attend the gallery opening in NYC, and the fundraiser is to raise some money for those who are traveling to install the work.”
Latitude (and NYC bound) artist Heady Spalding sums it up, “It will be fun to be in a gallery in New York City. My last picture had three boys in it and three houses that the boys lived in—in New York City—Statue of Liberty—Empire State Building—and that is where my picture will be.” ■
All of Lexington is invited to meet the artists and contribute
to the fundraiser. Exhibit Posters, original artwork and a selection
of handmade clothing and t- shirts from Jones Art + Design will be
on sale. NYC Artist Reception and Fundraiser at Latitude will be
Friday December 7th 5-7pm. Latitude Artist Community is
located at 167 Saunier St; Lexington, KY, 859.806.0195, email
latitudearts@yahoo.com.
to the fundraiser. Exhibit Posters, original artwork and a selection
of handmade clothing and t- shirts from Jones Art + Design will be
on sale. NYC Artist Reception and Fundraiser at Latitude will be
Friday December 7th 5-7pm. Latitude Artist Community is
located at 167 Saunier St; Lexington, KY, 859.806.0195, email
latitudearts@yahoo.com.
The opening reception at the Andrew Edlin Gallery in New York
is Thursday, December 13, 2007, 6pm - 8pm. The Andrew Edlin
Gallery is at 529 West 20th St, NYC and www.edlingallery.com.
is Thursday, December 13, 2007, 6pm - 8pm. The Andrew Edlin
Gallery is at 529 West 20th St, NYC and www.edlingallery.com.
