This year, we are happy to announce that Opulent Mobility 2019 is partnering with Arts Unbound. The physical exhibit will be held at the Dora Stern Gallery at Arts Unbound, 544 Freeman St, City of Orange, NJ 07050. The online exhibit will be at www.opulentmobility.com.
 
The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2019 at 5 PM PST. There is a flat $20 entry fee to cover administrative costs. No commissions charged for sales. The exhibit will open September 14, 2019. OM 2019 is curated by A. Laura Brody, Anthony Tusler, and Celene Ryan.
 
Opulent, adjective
1. Characterized by extravagant, ostentatious magnificence: lavish, lush, luxurious, palatial, plush, rich, sumptuous
2. Given to or marked by unrestrained abundance: Extravagant, exuberant, luxuriant, prodigal, profuse, riotous, superabundant
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

The details are being worked out, but Opulent Mobility 2020 will be at Washington Reid Gallery/UCPLA. We're planning on having a storytelling event and a "decorate your mobility device" workshop too. Many thanks to Veronica DeJesus and Aragna Ker!
 
The glamour photos of my most recent piece, Medusa, just came in from Heidi of Heidi Marie Photography. She did an amazing job. The photos were just in time to submit to the next exhibit, "There's No End to Her", which will be up at ACE/121 Gallery in Glendale at the end of next February. More details will be coming soon.
 
Many thanks!

I do a lot of exploration for Opulent Mobility, and sometimes I'm reluctant to talk about the efforts in case things don't work out. Recently, though, I've been talking with several folks about collaborating, and they're such great people that I need to share them anyway. If we end up working together, that will be wonderful. If not, they are awesome and you should know about them.
 
First off is Abilities Expo. This is THE trade show for all things disability related- from products to services to cool dance troupes and artists. The LA Expo is February 22-24. They may or may not have space for an Opulent Mobility booth (the show fills up fast and we only talked a couple of weeks ago), but it's sure worth taking a look. It's free, there are fun events, and both the Rollettes and Infinite Flow dance troupes will be there.
 
I also spoke with Arts UnBound in New Jersey about working together this year. It all depends on budgeting for shipping, so who knows. You should know about them anyhow because they're very cool. Arts UnBound promotes the artwork of seniors and people with disabilities, providing arts education and professional development so the artists can compete in the arts market.
 
Next week I'm meeting with Washington Reid Gallery. UCPLA Washington Reid Gallery and Washington Place Adult Day Program supports a vigorous community of working artists with a variety of developmental challenges, which is super cool. I was recommended to them by one of the artists in Opulent Mobility 2018 (thank you, Aragna Ker) and I'm looking forward to see if we can work together next year.
 
Many thanks to everyone! I'll keep you posted.

Among her many other talents, Elizabeth is a pastry chef, writer, and a caretaker for a special needs daughter. She and Jason Lehmbeck started "Who Lives Like This?!", a podcast covering the many topics that their fellow caregivers want or need to know about. She was excited by the idea of Opulent Mobility, and she's invited me to give an interview on their podcast about Opulent Mobility! We'll be talking on January 2nd at 9 AM.

Kali/Medusa, my solo show at Highways Performance Space and Gallery, is now packed up and safely back in my home studio.

It has been a full month and it's not done yet. Did I mention that my beau is starting a brewery? After 18 months of nail-biting, Kafka-esque planning and construction time, it's now finally time for decorating the space, which means it's my turn to step in. There is much more to come, including a podcast interview for "Who Lives Like This" with Elizabeth Aquino in January and a bunch of talks about future OM exhibits. But I'll share that as things get closer.
 
Merry belated solstice. Do as much of what you love as you can.

Thymele Arts, 5481 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Opening: Sunday, December 2 from 5-8 PM, storytelling at 6 PM
Storytellers Paul Ford, Liebe Grey, and Diana Elizabeth Jordan.

Viewing: Monday- Friday, December 3-7 from 10 AM- 6 PM
Closing: Saturday, December 8 from 6-8 PM.

A. LAURA BRODY – Kali/Medusa
November 9, 2018 - December 16, 2018
Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA, 90404
The Goddess Kali represents time, destruction, truth, and fierce love, while the Gorgon Medusa is an emblem of betrayal, fear, and power. Disability is demonized and taken advantage of in our culture. It is seen as a weakness, a tragedy, and something to be feared. Kali tells a different story—that time catches up to us … Continue reading A. LAURA BRODY – Kali/Medusa

And many thanks to Create! Magazine! My artwork is featured in their 11th print edition, along with a shout out to Opulent Mobility.

Kali is making her next appearance at "Reimagining America". The show runs July 19- September 8, the reception is August 12 from 2-5 PM, and I'm giving a staple draping workshop at the gallery on August 19th. "Reimagining America" is at ACE/121 Gallery, 121 N. Kenwood, Glendale, CA 91206. The gallery is open Tues-Thurs from 11-4 PM.

In addition to much art making, exhibit wrangling, and some choice costume projects, I'm also teaching two DIY classes at Glendale Community College this fall. Come check them out if you are in the area.

Introduction to Sewing September 8-29 and
Knock It Off Pattern Making October 20- November 3.
Both classes are held Saturdays from 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM.
Glendale Community College, 1122 E. Garfield Ave, Glendale, CA 91205

Here's wishing you good fortune in these very tough times. Let's keep up the good fight.

I'm part of the Open Studios Altadena/Pasadena artist tour that's coming up this weekend. It's free to the public and showcases artists from all  over the area.

The Open Studios Tour is June 2-3. My studio is #7 on the map.
Come visit and share homemade goodies, family time, work in progress, and the loving attention of Lucy the dog. Lucy would like you to know that she enjoys snacks and belly rubs.

The next DIY class is Introduction to Sewing at Glendale Community College.
Classes are Saturdays from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM, June 9-30.
Contact me for details.

And there is still time to see Kali at the Made In California exhibit at Brea Gallery. She'll be there until June 16th.