Ok here is the official press release.....
FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE:
FEATURE EXHIBITION AT FT. MADISON AREA ARTS ASSOCIATION
JOHN BYBEE WILL “BOWL YOU OVER”
November ushers in the holidays, notably Thanksgiving, which harkins most toward thinking of those not as fortunate as ourselves. This month's exhibition is a ceramic installation of bowls about helping people in our community during the Thanksgiving holiday. It is comprised of over 200 ceramic bowls. The proceeds from sales will largely go to charities within the community. Over a hundred bowls in this exhibition will go to a fundraiser held by the Burlington Area Homeless Shelter on November 14 th at the Drake in Burlington. John Bybee, art instructor for Southeastern Community College, became involved in the Empty Bowl project with a phone call from Julie Helling, board member of the Burlington Area Homeless Shelter. The Empty Bowl project began in 1990 as an international grass roots effort to fight hunger. Each local organization designs a format designed to address the needs in their community. The goal is all the money raised is donated to that organization in order to fund soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters, working to end hunger and food insecurity.
The reception for the installation in Ft. Madison occurs on November 8 th from 5:00-7:00pm. MidWestOne Bank is the sponsor for the exhibition. John will be the presenter at Lunch-ala-Art finale for the season as well. Due to Thanksgiving holiday, the luncheon will occur on November 22 nd from 12-2. Call for lunch reservations at 319-372-3996 by November 21 st .
John reflects on his ideas leading to the installation: “As you enter the gallery you will be met by broken shards of pottery reflecting the broken lives of people in our community. Continuing along the wall you are presented with hundreds of bowls but no food, 'tables' but no chairs, place settings but no people. The long narrow boards are intended to imply movement, as if the bowls are on a conveyer belt but find no "place" only to fall to pieces on the floor. The installation’s initial feeling of mass production and industry are contrasted by the individuality of each handmade bowl. Each bowl is unique and has its own story just like those in need within our own community.” Over one hundred bowls will leave the exhibition as they head toward their destination on November 14 th at the Drake. Yet many of John’s bowls will remain in gallery, waiting to “Bowl you Over” to help worthwhile causes. FMAAA gallery is located at 825 Avenue G; viewing is available from 10:00-5:00 Tuesday-Saturday. These bowls are for sale at extremely “charitable” prices. Bowl your way over to FMAAA today!
