Vets for Vets Project

[Yvette]

Hello All!

I hope your holidays went well!

We are now entering the second phase of our project. We have 12
soldiers who have given their oral histories. I have twelve confirmed
artists. So here is what is happening next. I met with Jeff Kollath
today at the Vet Museum and he wants the show to go up for the spring
opening. I have a hard date of March 01 to have prints to me. (I
expect loud screams of panic) Please don't panic. I have come to the
conclusion that perhaps we should aim fro a small edition as opposed
to a complete exchange. He would prefer a size of 16 x 20. If this is
a huge concern 11 X 17 will be OK, but he is providing framing and
would prefer to fill the space properly and with somewhat standard
frame sizes. Understandably, he does not want to go too small. I am
going to email you each individually with your veteran's e-mail
contact info. PLEASE contact them promptly. They are expecting to hear
from you. They have given their oral histories at the museum and I
believe you will be able to access that info, but I am awaiting
confirmation on that so please do not take your veterans name to the
museum until I have that confirmed. I would like for the artist to
contact their veteran and arrange a time when it is convenient for you
to meet or speak via another form of communication. I Titled the
subject of my email to them : Vets for Vets ART PROJECT. Please use
this subject line so that this email does not get passed for spam or
raise concern with their families. I need to know ASAP if this tight
deadline is going to be a problem so I may find replacements. I trust
that everyone will still be on board. I thank you so much for your
patience. The oral histories that we have collected thus far are
invaluable to The Wisconsin Veteran's Museum. This show is going to be
an amazing experience and a wonderful bullet on any resume. Let Phase
two begin!

Here is a copy of the email I sent to the Vets:
Hello Everyone,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I want to start
this e-mail by thanking each and every one of you for participating in
this project. I know that as Veterans we are pulled in thousands of
different directions and it is difficult to say yes to participating
in anything. I am extremely grateful for the time you have given to
this and I am confident that the exhibition of artwork that reflects
your stories will be powerful and exciting. I had a meeting today with
Jeff Kollath who is the Curator of events and exhibitions at The
Wisconsin Veteran's Museum. We are aiming at having the opening in the
spring and the artwork needs to be in by the first week of March. That
being said, it's time to enter Phase Two. I have asked the artists to
begin contacting you. It seemed more logical to set-up one on one
meetings rather than try to get everyone together at the same time. If
at all possible, please respond to their e-mails swiftly so we may
allow them time to complete the artwork. I am available to answer any
and all questions that you may have regarding this project or if you
have any concerns/issues with your designated artist. My phone number
is 314-780-4053. I also have a gmail address: yvett...@gmail.com

Also, I am putting together a contact roster for organizational
purposes. I will not give out your info to any person or organization.
All I am asking for is a phone number and address. This is not
mandatory, but simply a request. My main contact with you will be VIA
e-mail.

Thank you all so much,
Sincerely,

Yvette M. Pino

[Yvette]

Heather asked some very relevant questions...
Here is some clarification to questions asked of the project:


What exactly is the portfolio 'we' will be editioning?
The original exchange was to be a portfolio of 12-15 prints. However,
due to the tight deadline I am requiring an edition of 4 prints- two
go to the vet museum, one goes to the veteran, and one goes to the
print coop.

Is your intent that each artist is paired, given an oral history and
then sent to design a print inspired by that oral history? Or is it
expected to be a documentation?
The artwork is to be a design inspired by the oral history or a
specific story the veteran shares with the artist. IT IS NOT A
DOCUMENTATION

How do you see the oral histories translating to print? Or how are
they expected to relate?
The artwork is your interpretation. The only requirements are no
profanity is to be used, no nudity is to be used, and the print must
respect the veteran's service and is NOT to be used as political
opinion or content. In other words, be respectful and use discretion.
War is not pretty, we understand that.

How are you expecting to have them printed/editioned/etc? You said
"we" will be editioning them in a past email, and I wonder if that
means we will get together as a group at someone's studio? Or just
individually.
An edition of 4 prints. page size 16 X 20 . Each artist is assigned
to a veteran and will individually produce their 4 prints. If
collaborative efforts occur, I have no problem with that.

Is it still meant to be prints? Or will you accept any 2D medium? In
my case, I am without a studio at this time and am unable to print
much, unless the collective we will share a studio somehow.
I would suggest it be prints as we need an edition of 4. I can make a
couple of exceptions for digital prints, but I suggest a strong
graphic element.