Each month, ArtsGreensboro brings you stories about artists, arts organizations, and individuals whose lives are infused with creativity. Join us in celebrating our vibrant city.
ARTIST IN FOCUS
BY NEIDY PERDOMO, ARTIST
I’m Neidy (pronounced like “lady” but with an “N”). Graphic design, illustration, and photography are some of what I do, creating beautiful work is my passion. Being a daughter of immigrant Salvadorian parents is who I am honored to be. I began my career as a corporate in-house graphic designer at a textile company. I quickly discovered how a good design is a powerful tool in business, and how it can be key to a company’s success. After six years of a successful climb up the corporate ladder, I left to start Perdomo Design Co. in January 2019. I have since worked with several local agencies as an extension of their creative team, developed the branding, websites, and marketing material for a variety of local small businesses, and helped a local non-profit with their visual identity.
During quarantine, I launched a brand called Que Dice, centered on celebrating Latino culture through design. I am currently donating 50% of the sale profits of the “Tu Lucha Es Mi Lucha” (“your fight is my fight”) shirt to the Triad NCCJ.
Over the summer, I worked on public art murals downtown to inspire positive change for black and brown people in the US. The pieces in my current body of work are influenced by MC Escher and Frida Kahlo and focus on expressions of resilience, change, duality, and reinvention while exploring the idea of how your reality is what you make it, to quote MC Escher – “Are you really sure that a floor can’t also be a ceiling?”
Instagram @neidy.perdomo | info@neidyperdomo.com
ARTS HAPPENING
BY Emmanuel N. Fletcher, ARTSGREENSBORO DEVELOPMENT + MARKETING INTERN, UNCG
Hirsch Wellness Network empowers cancer survivors and caregivers to explore the healing power of creativity and community through free arts and wellness programs. It is a place people can find support, strength, inspiration, and renewal of one’s self to celebrate the beauty of life during their cancer journey and beyond. Since 2008, Hirsch Wellness has collaborated with local artists and wellness providers in the Greensboro area to host free weekly arts and wellness workshops.
They have partnered with Triad Yoga in Greensboro and Club Fitness to provide therapeutic aquatic sessions, Taiji/Qigong, and meditation to improve health. One way these programs are made possible is through Hirsch Wellness’ annual Art Lives Here Silent Art Auction.
This year, the event is virtual due to COVID-19. Bidding is open online now through October 3rd and ends with a live streamed event. All artwork is exhibited at 1250 Revolution Mill Gallery for viewing- now through Friday, October 2nd. Appointments aren’t necessary to preview the artwork available for silent bidding online.
The October 3rd event will feature live art, music performances, interviews with artists, and a gallery viewing of donated art for the auction. Admission is free and registration is required.
To access the bid site and register to join the auction, please visit hirschwellnessnetwork.org
AG MAKING IT WORK
BY CATENA BERGEVIN, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AT ARTSGREENSBORO
Through it all, our arts community has continued enriching our lives with virtual performances, presentations, dance, and music. Through it all, the arts have endured. However, COVID-19 has impacted our arts and culture sector at a loss of over $7 million in earned and contributed revenue. More than 3,400 canceled events and performances – a total economic impact greater than $16 million. And those numbers are growing exponentially. Many organizations will not reopen for public gathering until the spring of 2021.
Greensboro’s arts scene has filled our city with vitality, innovation, and pride for generations. Together we can stand united and ensure that our theater doors open again, live music fills our concert halls and open-air stages, poetry and paintings continue to enlighten us, and the arts flourish in Greensboro. This month, ArtsGreensboro is launching a $1.5 million campaign to support our creative economy.
$1 million for the annual ArtsFund, which supports the grant programs and service initiatives that sustain arts organizations, large and small, working artists, and teachers. $500,000 is directed to the Reentry and Reinvent Campaign to support our arts community as they return to live programming. The funds raised will be focused on building resiliency, with shared services, collective education and development, and new ways for organizations to be bold, adaptive, and inspirational.
Here are ways you can help:
- Donate or Pledge securely online by visiting https://www.artsgreensboro.org
- Make a recurring monthly donation by texting ARTSGSO to 44-321
- Mail a check to ArtsGreensboro P. O. Box 877, Greensboro, NC, 27402
- Call our office at (336) 373-7523 to make a gift
MY ART STORY
BY HANNAH GRANNEMANN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT UNCG
I donate to and volunteer for ArtsGreensboro because I know the funds will be used throughout Greensboro and the region. As an arts professional, I know that advocacy and support for artists, arts organizations, and arts education are all necessary for the arts to thrive and survive. I’ve known ArtsGreensboro for over a decade. I’ve seen the organization evolve and improve and it continues to do so. They make decisions as best they can with the entire community in mind. The arts are trying to survive and adjust during the COVID-19 crisis.
The sector is among the most negatively impacted and with the longest timeline for being able to get back to “normal.” Arts workers are nothing if not innovative and adaptable. But both financial and moral support from their community is essential. Artists, technicians, administrators, and more are leaving the arts profession because they won’t be able to make it to 2022 when something like “normal” might start again in the arts. That loss of artistic talent is scary. My support and your support for ArtsGreensboro is crucial at this time to keep the arts working in our area. The funds that we as donors provide to ArtsGreensboro combined with public funding from local, state, and federal sources provide necessary money and services for artists, arts organizations, and arts education in our region.
ArtsGreensboro is dedicated to elevating the arts by creating awareness and promoting the vibrancy of our city; amplifying the impact the arts have in building strong and thriving communities for all citizens; and supporting arts organizations, artists, and teachers through grants, shared services, and technical assistance. For more information visit artsgreensboro.org
Ways to Give:
Text ARTSGSO to 44-321
Give online at artsgreensboro.org
Mail a check to: ArtsGreensboro PO Box 877 Greensboro NC 27402
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