Parrot  Gallery is a project of artists and musicians worshiping at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster. Art exhibits are open for downtown Lancaster First Fridays and by appointment with church office. Regular gallery talks are scheduled with each featured artist.

A dynamic mix evolved for an altered books exhibit opening First Friday, May 3, 2013, 5-9 pm at the Parrot Gallery at 328 W Orange Street. The twelve artists—Nancy Baum, Steve Carlson, Chris Fraser, Michael Eby-Good, Mary Lou Weaver Houser, Nancy Keel, Melody Keim, Cara Longacre, Chad Martin, Susanne Mundok, Rebekah Nolt, Kay Reist--had no idea what they they were committing to in spring 2012 other than adventure!

It all began when Community Mennonite Pastor Chad Martin issued an all-call for twelve artists to join him in the 12-month collaboration. Immediately he had 12 eager

respondents who read his description: altered" book art is simply a [process] that begins with an intact book and transforms it in some way by adding things to it or taking things away from it.

Each artist had one month to alter their own first book of choice. From then on, their book traveled miles, through many hands, to risk daring alterations. Think concrete, fire, videography! The artists offer varied insights from the engaging experience:

This project was intentional play and experimentation with a prompt.

I was surprised at how fearful most of us seemed to be about taking a risk and ‘truly’ altering the books into something else. I joined this project as a way to add creativity on a regular basis to my life for the year. . .  

Each and every time a book was passed to me, I experienced a similar pattern of emotion. First there was bewilderment, then mild creative panic and then a letting go that was necessary for something to happen.

Receiving another artist’s work each month was like entering a conversation.

My job then was to listen well, and consider all the conversation partners who had participated prior to me.

I find being part of projects like this one, helps me to grow as an artist and explore creativity in new ways.

At times the project was an escape and at other times a burden.

Sometimes the alterations were completely mysterious to me. And, sometimes I could really resonate with the meaning of the changes.  

I find that the more my fellow collaborators broke open the boundaries of “book,” the more they developed these objects into full-blown sculptures and the more they transgressed the work of their co-artists, the more I loved it!

The exhibit runs May 3 to June 30, 2013.

Contact church office for weekday appointments: 717-392-7567