ANGELA MARIE JOHNSON
With ARTPop completed and the billboards out on display on the streets of Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to interview Angela Marie Johnson, President of AIGA Las Vegas and Creative Director at The Las Vegas Review Journal about AIGA's Membership Week, the LUSH event, and everything ARTpop.
Photo by Jorge Lara
VIM: First off, congratulations on a busy and eventful week with AIGA Las Vegas. How did you approach Membership Week and what would you have done differently?
ANGELA MARIE JOHNSON: Thank you. This is our 3rd Annual membership week. First we come up with the line up of events and we make sure that they are in line with our goals for the week, which is to celebrate current members, invite new people to our community and provide events that allow our members to give us feedback. We want to curate content and programming that serves them best.
I would have loved to had more planning time to team up with other non-profits and charities.
VIM: It's all about collaboration and the possibilities. This year ARTPop Las Vegas was held at the Zappos Campus with a phenomenal list of new incoming artists. Was there an artist's work that was your favorite or that particularly stood out to you?
ANGELA MARIE JOHNSON: Ooh, that's a good question. I was really happy with the quality of art that was submitted. It was hard to narrow it down to 7 winners. I really gravitate towards Justin's Favela's piece. I think having his pinata's art on a billboard is great representation for what his art stands for. I also love Valentin's piece. I have followed his work for a while. The way he uses color and line movement is really striking and engaging.
Justin Favela's ARTPop entry
VIM: Narrowing down the artists is always difficult. Would love to see the other submissions. Was their a submission that was not accepted that you think would have been a good honorary mention?
ANGELA MARIE JOHNSON: Yes, definitely. I absolutely loved Krystal Ramirez piece. The photograph she submitted was so layered and it made me have this unsettling feeling. It's not something that you would see on a billboard and I think that's why I really wanted to see that juxtaposition. I think it would have caught people's attention. And I think it that lends itself to a bigger idea about art pop which I appreciate. We are taught to take our time to really evaluate the piece.
With billboards you only have 3-5 seconds to catch their attention. So to apply art to this type of display is so unique.
Photo courtesy: Jennifer Albrecht
Photo courtesy: Jennifer Albrecht
Photo courtesy: Jennifer Albrecht
VIM: The billboards I think are something that will help to beautify the city and it will bring art to people who normally would not have it in their everyday's life. I do want to thank you and Martin Bautista for reaching out to my poetry organization to collaborate on Lush. What would be your fantasy project or collaboration?
ANGELA MARIE JOHNSON: I 100% agree. I love being a part of ArtPop for those same reasons.
We should be thanking you. The Poet Organization is an amazing partner to have. You all go above and beyond to support the creative community. We can't wait to work with your group again.
I was just talking about this last night at our AIGA BBQ. I would love to do a video series where we explore the partnership of food and design. Most notable chefs are actually great brand directors and have carefully crafted identities.
For instance, Thomas Keller has a cookbook that wins design awards, he produces his own magazine and employs an amazing design studio called Level. Also, David Chang has his magazine called Lucky Peach that I love.
VIM: I'll have to check those out. Magazines are an extensions of one's own beliefs and creativity I think. Lastly, what would you say would be your vision statement for the coming year for AIGA Las Vegas? What would be the number one asset potential members would receive by joining your organization?
ANGELA MARIE JOHNSON: I would say our main goal this year is to champion for Las Vegas to be seen as a major design city. We have amazing talent and we want to show it off. So we are creating opportunities for designers to showcase their work, we are creating more video content to highlight our design leaders as well as working with our advisory board to bring back our award ceremony called the Work Show.
I don't think I can narrow it down to one big asset. There are a ton of benefits but for time sake I will choose two that I think are pretty important. One, the networking is one of your best tools as a designer and AIGA is a nationwide group. As a hiring manager, it is great to see the up and coming talent. As a designer you have access to so many creative directors and possible job opportunities.
Two, I personally use AIGA as an outlet for my passions in design. More often than not, as a designer you do not get to pick your projects and you don't get to flex your creative muscle as much as you would like. For me, I was interested in telling female stories of leadership in design. Through my connections at AIGA I was able to put together a team and we produced a video series that I got to spear head. This is a possibility as a member. If you have a great idea or design initiative we would like to hear it and help make it happen.
VIM: That chance in itself sounds like a dream opportunity. Thank you for the interview.
For more information on AIGA Las Vegas visit: https://lasvegas.aiga.org
To view this year's ARTPop participants art work visit: http://www.artpopstreetgallery.com/index
Thank You - Gracias - Have A Nice Day
Thursday, April 6 at the opening reception of "Thank You, Gracias, Have A Nice Day" a mixed media installation by GLUCH, four Battle Born Artists Justin Favela, Jennifer Kleven, Krystal Ramirez, and Mikayla Whitmore. Nevada Humanities Program Gallery 1017 S. First St. #190 Las Vegas, NV 702-800-4670
The media installation is inspired by the affordable commerce, and family oriented retail and entertainment business spaces found in Las Vegas. The exhibit brought to you by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Nevada Humanities is on display now till May 24, 2017.
PHAOS PERSPECTIV
Check out our photos from FIRST FRIDAY at PHAOS PERSPECTIV now showing at The Cube LV.
Bianca Scott
Phatsimo Lucky Wenzel
February 2nd @ 6pm during opening night, Bianca and Lucky will recontextualize the process of a “photo shoot” by bringing it into the gallery space. They will use this familiar setting to appropriate not just a single photograph but the entire photographic process. The resultant installation will remain in The Cube until Feb 25th.
Opening Thursday Feb 2 @ 6-9pm Exhibition Dates Feb 2 - 25
The Cube, 1025 S 1st St, Ste 150, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
JESS VANESSA
VIM: Hello Jess Vanessa! How are you? You had a show in December? How did it go?
JESS VANESSA: Hello I'm good! Yes I did, I had a show in December at UNLV. It was the midway show for my Undergraduate degree, I presented a piece alongside with six fellow peers. It was insane because I presented this large piece that was roughly around 20 feet long. I worked on that piece since August straight into December I didn't think I would get it done on time. I remember panicking and thinking "Well, I could present it unfinished and live out my shame, better yet run away, take up a new identity, move to Costa Rica." But I recollected myself, I was determined. I was determined to finish this piece for all of those who have supported me through out the years, sacrificed, and inspired me. So after a few all nighters during November and December. I was able to finish the piece and present it during the show. I was determined to finish, because I had so many supportive friends and family that were excited to see my work for the first time in a formal academic setting. Once the show started I became aware of how much support there was, for all of the artists present, and that's what really felt like created a great show was the support that was present, a community, to be a part of this community. It was a really good show.
VIM: Tell us about your mural at Walter Braken Elementary School. How did that come about?
JESS VANESSA: I actually got a call from one of my old professor's. He asked if I was willing to do a mural at an elementary school, they were looking for someone to repaint the science room. I automatically agreed, I use to work with children as a preschool, teacher and aide. One of the best parts of my young life. I wanted to give back. I was born and raised in Las Vegas I felt that it was my responsibility to give back to the community in some way. So I was all hands on deck to paint this mural. I sketched out my idea and got a few fellow artist/ peers (Love them to death wouldn't be able to get it done in that time crunch without them)to help me during winter break and finished it in about 2 weeks. It came out really well, everyone loved it.
VIM: Let's talk inspirations, what inspired you to become an artist? Any current local artists that have gotten your attention?
JESS VANESSA: I was highly interested in art a very young age. There are three things that stuck with me. One was first grade Ms. McDonald my art teacher introduced us to Van Gogh, and I fell in love instantly, I remember we had to recreate on of his paintings with crayons and I recreated Wheat field with crows. Ms. McDonald would lecture as we drew about Van Gogh. I was instantly connected, I thought that we were kindred souls. Except I didn't want to cut my ear off. I found my 6 year old self literally falling in love with Van Gogh. Still am today. The second was, that I read a lot as a kid, my dad would take my sister and I to the library once a week or sometimes more. I checked out books with elaborate illustrations. I was obsessed with the illustrations in the books,I wanted to be an illustrator, still do. Third was Bob Ross, I watched a lot of Bob Ross as a child, even checked out the VHS's. As I grew older I was exposed to many different art related careers, that really gave me a push to continue because it was something I loved to do and it could be a career. But really I think that really drew in me into art was the complete freedom of creativity and ingenuity art offered.
Yes a few!
Gig Depio, Incredible guy! I first saw his work when I began attending UNLV in 2014, I saw him unloading his paintings from a truck in the distance, and I was in awe. I thought to myself, " you have to see more, and talk to him." And I did, and I'm grateful I did. He's given me the best advice I have ever received, and I admire his hard work, his down to earth persona. Super awesome artist and friend.
Zet Gold, Graphic Designer and Illustrator. She's dope, I met her last year, funny because both of a few of our family members, knew/were friends with each other for years before she and I even met. She's witty, and clever most of her works are clever anecdotes, sayings, word play. I drool over work like that. She's a kindred spirit for sure. Love the girl like family.
Clarice Tara, She's amazing! That girl is a multi media, powerhouse. There's a lot of thought, emotion, and spiritual movement in her work. She's dedicated as well. I first only saw her drawings and really enjoyed those but lately she's been doing performance and sculptural works and really blowing it out of the water.
Victor Torres, I'm not a huge photo person, I do enjoy looking at them but as for art it really has to capture my attention especially the subject matter. But Victor's work definitely caught my eye. Mainly his photo work revolving around Nevada/ Las Vegas. Away from the stereotypical glitz and glamour of the commercial Las Vegas club life, He really knows how to photograph the life and movement of the Las Vegas we live in.
Justin Favela! Really love his work! I listen to his podcast too, Latinos Who Lunch! A lot of locals are familiar with his work. He was one of the people that inspired me to continue doing art and pursing it in my education. Especially because when I came to UNLV I wasn't going to do traditional art, but then I was sitting in a Jamba Juice in North Las Vegas and I saw Justin and his work in a magazine and changed my mind. Here was a young Latino, from my town making a living from something he loved and something he felt strongly about. I was given that push I needed for sure. And every time I hear the podcast it really inspires me for personal reasons.
VIM: In 2011 you had a student show at the College of Southern Nevada. What piece did you submit to it?
JESS VANESSA: I submitted a portrait, in Graphite. I still have it, somewhere. That year was interesting, I had no interest in being an artist at all. I wanted to become a teacher. I completely convinced myself I would never make it or be an artist. I had all these booklets to different art colleges, I remember throwing them away. Because I believed art was not a valued career, I wanted the "safe leave it to beaver job" But Ms. Acosta changed my mind. I'm glad she did. She pushed me, and really talked me back into it. I really owe her a lot. I kept that piece for that reason. It's somewhere in my house, it's a reminder of the year I almost gave up on my passion.
VIM: You also exhibited at one of my favorite past galleries, BlackBird Studios as part of the Wes Anderson Tribute Show. How did that come about?
JESS VANESSA: That was actually forwarded to me by a friend of mine via Facebook. I didn't even know we had an awesome gallery like that in Vegas at the time. I decided to give it a try and send something in. I unfortunately was working the night of the reception, and couldn't attend. I heard the BlackBird Studios closed down, which really bums me out since they had such great shows and exhibitions in the past.
VIM: What are your plans for after you finish your school? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
JESS VANESSA: Away from civilization, living on a farm house in the woods, collecting wood for a fire. Honestly I do not know 5 years feels like a very small amount of time. I really can't say, where I'd be but I can say what i'd hope to accomplish within those 5 years. I need to pay off my student debt, I hate having that above my head. I actually have a list of projects in mind that I'd like to accomplish. One of which is creating a book with my mother and grandmother. Maybe even writing and illustrating a bilingual children's book. I really want to get more involved with the community hand and hand with the Arts. Join a non-profit, and of course I'll still be making work on the side. But I really want to give back, wether it be here in Las Vegas, or else where with programs looking to improve and unite communities. But In all truth I'll go where life takes me, to where it wants me to be and where I'm needed, because if none of those things are accomplished within those 5 years, I'm sure I'll be content where ever life leads me.
On The Resurgence of VIM, Poetry In Las Vegas, and The Pursuit For Happiness
Three months before the print launch of VIM Magazine, Editor in Chief Jorge Lara shares a short q and a session on the constant evolving cycle of VIM, poetry in Las Vegas, and the pursuit of happiness.
Three months before the print launch of VIM Magazine, Editor in Chief Jorge Lara shares a short q and a session on the constant evolving cycle of VIM, poetry in Las Vegas, and the pursuit of happiness.
1. On The Resurgence of VIM Magazine
During high school I would work weekends in my senior year at Mickey D's and the small money I would collect would go toward buying cassettes and later cd's of bands I loved, small gifts for my family, and my monthly pick of magazines that I remember fondly. I would get copies of Alternative Press, Interview Magazine, Ray Gun, and this monthly magazine that use to have a cd of the latest new indie bands. I would play that cd during lunch in high school since I was given the opportunity to "DJ" during both lunch periods.
I consider magazines to be an art form. A collective tissue of art and ideas that combine the rock and roll spirit of the mind and soul and the liberating freedom that comes in creating what your heart truly envisions.
You have only the mind to explore and to wander in, an infinite array of beauty at your fingertips and a community and world of art to be the focal point. Las Vegas in all its truest essence is a constant revival of art and artists in a cycle that gives birth to new wonders every day. I love that many of my friends are poets, dancers, artists, musicians, actors, fashionistas.
Past VIM Coverstars and interviews
It's been a privilege to be able to document and interview and photograph some of the most talented people here in Las Vegas. And to have some of the most beautiful souls help me with the magazine along the way. In past incarnations of the magazine I've had some wonderful photographers helping me chronicle each interview with their own artistic vision. Most recently in 2014, Las Vegas resident and photographer and artist Shannon Dorn helped with some beautiful portraits of the artists.
Previous to that I had an editorial board, a fashion editor, a culture editor, and an entertainment editor and each one of them had an assistant and my managing editor would help me in coordinating the interviews for the website, looking at photography and what worked and what didn't.
It all culminated with a magazine relaunch party that took place at the Beauty Bar with the gracious assistance and help of Noel Calizo of Indie Krush fame. Together with Milu Angelique (of We Are Pancakes) our Fashion Editor and musician in residence we assembled a great group of bands to perform for the relaunch party. Seven bands total. It was an exhilarating and memorable night and certainly a highlight of my time in Las Vegas. The bands, they were exceptional and inspiring, Ang Kerfoot, Monica Sterling, Stolas, The All-Togethers, Menores, My First Rodeo, Habit. It is every fan's dream to be able to assemble all their favorite bands on one stage and I was granted that opportunity, it was wonderful.
Flyer for past VIM RELAUNCH Party at Beauty Bar created by my talented brother Johnny Stitches.
After the last incarnation of the magazine I took a year off to focus on the nonprofit poetry organization that I helped found. Within that year we had established some great partnerships with the community.
Now it's 2016 and the question I was asked the most about the magazine throughout the years was: When are you going to print? To launch a printed magazine in 2016 is a huge endeavor but its something that has been on my mind since my youth. I always wanted to be an editor of a magazine, it's what I always envision and it feels like I have always been waiting for just the right time. Well you truly make the right time yourself. You have to live in the moment and create what you can while you can. I've put stuff off for too long and there is no looking back once you started.
Paper VIM, Vim in print form, a physical magazine that people will be able to get in their hands will be a reality this fall in October.
I've had the great honor to assemble a fantastic group of contributors that will be lending their talents to the magazine in the form of stories and articles. Sarah Jane Woodall, Ed Fuentes, CoCo Jenkins, and Heather Lang. Along with the articles there will also be the interviews people have come to love. And yes I already have a coverstar in mind for the magazine. They are an exceptional group of artists, that's all I can say and I am looking forward to interviewing them.
Although there might be several covers to celebrate the inaugural issue.
Currently working on creating a launch party event for October 2016. If anyone is interested shoot me a line.
I am looking forward to seeing what we can create in the months in weeks ahead. We'll be spotlighting the contributors in unique ways and we will also be featuring some local and international fashion photography.
I love the work that Michael Martin Humel has done with his magazine, 'Culture of The Senses.' He was a great entertainment editor for VIM and has been doing an exceptional job covering the local music scene. I am also looking forward to seeing Artist.Vault magazine with Geneva E. Marquez as they prepare for their launch. Catherine Treu of Fashion Feed LV who we have interviewed in the past has also done a wonderful job chronicling fashion with their magazine.
Nevada and Las Vegas needs premium art and fashion magazines, other big cities have a magazine where art forms the frame of the whole issue. So why not? Let us see what we can envision and bring out to the world.
2. Poetry In Las Vegas and The Las Vegas Poets Organization
It has been a great year so far for The Las Vegas Poets Organization. Working with a wonderful diverse group of individuals on the Executive Board has made organizing and planning for the poetry community a much richer experience. The Las Vegas Poets Organization started with a new Executive Board in September of 2015, since then there have been a couple of changes within the board, overall our new president, Rachel Dexter has led the board and has given way to newer and brighter ideas. It has always been our mission to expand our scope and the best way to do it is to find individuals who are willing to take the initiative to create precedence and work to give back to the community that has given us so much.
Along with President Rachel Dexter we have our Vice-President Kari O'Connor, who is an institution herself in the poetry community. Her experience and business acumen is bar-none and she has been a tremendous help assisting us with decisions that concern not only the slam community but the poetry community at large. Her history within the Las Vegas scene and her work with other poetry entities such as Helen Magazine has been an ideal source of vital information. She represents the community proud and takes pride in all the work she does.
Recently joining us has been our new Secretary Heather Lang, who has quite a past resume of achievements. Her work and contributions are a welcome addition as she coordinates our new calendar that we will be unveiling on the official website of the organization. Everyone will be able to benefit from this calendar as it will feature all the latest poetry hotspots, open mic venues, and information for locals and travelers to use as they plan a trip to a poetry venue in the Las Vegas and surrounding areas. Heather Lang's work with Nevada State College and Petite Hound Press is only one part of the work she does with the community as she expands her own horizons working diligently around the clock. I am happy to have Heather Lang also be one of the new contributors to VIM Magazine in the fall and looking forward to the stories she will tell.
In addition we have added two wonderful individuals, Marquis Ealy and Chalese Potts. Marquis Ealy is a wonderful poet who this year has shown the strength of his might on the mic at Battleborn Slam. He will be representing Nevada at the National Poetry Slam this August. Marquis has a wonderful video series where he interviews poets and lets them read from their work and I am looking forward to the contributions and feedback he will offer as a board member.
Chalese Potts is a ray of inspiration and good will. I think we all have loved her enthusiasm for working with the Executive Board and she has already shown her commitment volunteering her time and giving us wonderful feedback as we begin our work with our new partnerships this fall. She has shown that she has a true knack for leadership and I love how she is willing to give back to help others. Along with her work with the organization, she is an extremely talented performance poet and she runs the A & C Vibes Spoken Word open mic alongside Ashley M. Vargas.
This fall we begin our new partnership with the Clark County Library District in October 2016 as we unveil our new workshop and poetry feature series. This will also be our fifth year presenting poetry at the Vegas Valley Book Festival thanks to our partnership with Nevada Humanities and Bobbie Ann Howell.
We are already making preparations for the fall and I am looking forward as we lay the groundwork for the poetry community for the next ten years. Our long term plans are to create a poetry festival and bring a national poetry slam event to Southern Nevada.
Along with my work with the poetry organization I have been privileged and honored to work alongside Angela Brommel and the other poet laureate representatives as we assist Clark County Poet Laureate Bruce Isaacson as he works diligently to bring new poetry initiatives and national attention to the art of poetry in Clark County. Bruce Isaacson has made incredible strides bringing in national poetry talent to Las Vegas and working with Clark County Parks and Recreation and Patrick John Gaffey and what has been a giant leap forward for the art of poetry in our community. Next poet to showcase in Las Vegas and Henderson will be Patricia Smith on August 27. (www.lasvegaspoets.org)
3. The Pursuit of Happiness
Despite my extravagances, I'm just a down to earth guy. A man who has lived his life looking to create and to add to the beauty and the wonder that is found in this world. Who looks to the people in his life as his muses, who he learns from and who inspire him to become something more than what he is.
I've been privileged enough to create something in my lifetime that has become bigger than myself, something that now belongs to the community, something that has always belong to the community of people that work diligently to express themselves, their ideals, their heart and spirit. The poetry organization is a thing that this community has always needed and someone had to take the risk and put it out there so that others could benefit from it. I've always believed in sharing the wealth and the resources that come from igniting the heart and mind to create what we can muster into existence.
I live to dream and to share that dream has been a delight that I could not exchange for anything. I am thankful for everyone that has come in and out of my life throughout the years, it has led me to the person I have become. A little rough around the edges but still the person who is willing to carry his heart on his sleeve and with a mission to bring change to the world.
Let us see what we can create in the years ahead. I look forward to evolving and collaborating with new people, and exploring the possibilities of a mind that has yet to evolve through future moments of enlightenment. We will wonder and wonder more throughout our time on this earth and we will love every minute, second of it.
Here's to you who keeps inspiring me.
Thank you.
