The Art Without Exemption project premiered at the B. K. Smith Gallery at Lake Erie College January 20 - February 20, 2000.

         The concept behind the formation of the "Art Without Exemption Project" is for the creation of art as an idea of self discovery, regardless of what senses we may have to rely more on to take in the world around us. All of this under the canopy of a story, a fictitious archeological find. An entire "history" with it’s own mysteries and customs. One in which a theme has to be sought out through experiencing each piece totally. (you can read about legend of Sachem Cheops SkyDiver under story).

         The first major barrier that we want to cross is the idea that fine art should only be taken in only on a visual level. The idea that art should be so delicate, that to touch it is forbidden. Go to any museum and try to touch a piece, even if made of brass and steel the alarm will sound. This to me, anyway, is crazy. At least some art should be experienced with all the senses, this would therefore exempt no one from experiencing it.

         Many claim there is no definition to the word "art", that it has always been up to the individual viewing to decide for themselves what it is. True to a point. The purpose of art from this studio though is to communicate through emotion (whether clear or ambiguous) by using as many of the forms of communication as possible, i. e. music, textural, the written word whether typed or Braille, and aroma, all to tell a story. This is true in all the creative mediums, it is up to the artist to decide which emotion he/she wants to evoke. All of the people experiencing this exhibit become part of it, the subtle wearing down through touch, the muting of colors, the transition of repair. It becomes a communal experience.

         I have always delighted in the "discrepancy" that exists not only in the natural things of the world around us, but most importantly in ourselves as individual people. I like to take this thought into the creation of everything artistic I do. I like to find things that many people consider discards and, changing them as little as possible, incorporate them into a whole. I consider the imperfections reflecting us as people, and use them as they are. It all becomes interesting and useful. Each perfect aspect overriding another, making one harmonious and interesting piece.

         Art should also be very much like a person that you not only want to meet, but include in your life. As a friend, it should always be giving up secrets, and when the last secret is revealed, your as comfortable as with a very good friend or lover. The main goal of this project is to use all the arts, shape them into a fabulous story, and to exempt no one from experiencing the art.

         We are approaching you with an idea we have been working on for the last several years. It deals with the idea no matter what type of handicap a person may have, it still causes degrees of alienation, regardless of how well that person may adapt. I know this from my own experiences.

         I have a nephew who has been blind from birth. When my family gathered in Florida to witness the glory of sunsets, my nephew couldn't understand why we just stood there. The reason I mention this is because it was an experience that is not an everyday occurrence in most people's lives. He would (rightly so) become frustrated because he could not participate in something everyone around him was in awe over. This also goes back to my cousin who, unknown to me, had become blind and yet still achieved his Doctorate in Geography. On our last visit together, the realization dawned that I would never be able to show him the art that is such a large part of my life. He communicated the same feeling of frustration. Even myself, I suffer from severe Fibromyalgia as well as some other maladies. I know the feeling of alienation when I cannot do what is required in normal everyday life.

         The other aspect of this is what art really is to people. I have always viewed art (regardless weather it is cinema, music, literature, or whatever) as communication through emotion. Is it not true that we all love to read, watch, listen to the work of others who are talented because it manipulates our own emotions? It either reflects what we may be feeling at that time, recalls a more pleasant time, or for a moment helps us forget. People buy art, go to movies, and buy c.d.'s and books to enhance their own emotional well-being (the villain, the hero or heroine, the everyday struggles that reflect what we go through, showing we are part of a larger whole, that we are not alone).

         Artists have the power to create "emotional salves". Artists, and the people who assist them, have the power to bandage aspects of the world, providing momentary relief (when viewed, listened to, or read).

         It's the combination of these two thoughts that is the basis for the Art Without Exemption Project. That artists should not create to communicate (and patronize) to people with one type of handicap (not that this in itself is bad), but create to include as many people as possible. To create pieces that can be touched, felt, heard, smelled, visually absorbed, to be able to be embraced with whatever senses a certain person may have to use to take in the world around them. One way that we are working on now is included with this letter. We want to encourage artists to push themselves and create new ways to express themselves. This for groups of people they may not have previously considered (another idea is a tunnel in which one may walk, or more importantly, one in which a wheel chair can go through comfortably (it would incorporate everything written here or more).