Artists Without Walls Anniversary – Artists Without Walls

JIM HAWKINS on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS and "GENUINE COMMUNITY SUPPORT"

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what storyteller/seanchai Jim Hawkins wrote:

Tom Myles brought me to an Artists Without Walls’ event about eighteen months ago. I have tried not to miss their monthly events ever since. I was made to feel so welcome; It is always that way when one goes to an AWoW event. Charles Hale and Niamh Hyland do a great job making people feel welcome and at ease. The excitement and level of talented people one enjoys at an AWoW event is outstanding. Each month I know I am going to see and hear a great musician, a fine poet, an exciting dancer, a terrific piece of theater or a good storyteller.

For those of us who perform at an AWoW event there is a feeling of genuine community support. The first time I performed I was quite nervous, but I could feel this great group of people supporting and encouraging me. People want you to do well! I think all of the performers feel that way. It’s very special.

Charles and Niamh cannot be praised and thanked enough for founding this great organization. I look forward to many more great times with them. Those of you who have not experienced an Artists Without Walls’ event, check the website and come to one. You will not be disappointed.

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Jim Hawkins has spent decades telling stories, with a sly, folksy understated humor, just like the seanchaís of old, whom Hawkins emulates. With a gentle, easy-going manner and warmth, Jim tells the stories of nearly vanished Irish folkways to audiences far and wide, in public libraries, pubs, churches, universities, in Ireland and here in the United States. “I wish to be a vehicle that carries the history, culture and traditions of the Irish people, and to share the stories, songs and poetry of this great culture with the world. It will be my contribution to keeping this wonderful art-form alive and well.”

HONOR MOLLOY COMMENTING on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what playwright and author Honor Molloy wrote:

“At least once a month, Artists Without Walls offers thrilling cultural gatherings that feature musicians, poets, singers, sculptors, world class violinists and pianists, dramatists, dreamers, even an expert at gyrotonics. There’s so much more – there’s camaraderie, revelry, and reverie. For fulfilling your aspirations and for inspiration: AWoW is the place to be.”

Honor Molloy spent ten years working with Simon & Schuster Audiobooks, immersing herself in storytelling, meeting actors, producers, writers, and publishing professionals. She started writing a memoir which eventually became the autobiographical novel Smarty Girl – Dublin Savage. Once published, she discovered New York’s Irish American community and has come to terms with that kid who left Dublin all those years ago—washing up in, as she calls it, “the cultural wasteland that is Allentown, PA.”

JACK O'CONNELL COMMENTING on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked some members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what actor Jack O’Connell wrote:

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“An Artists Without Walls Showcase: What a great place to keep one’s instrument tuned. Singers, musicians, storytellers, dancers and actors find a safe and warm haven here. As an actor, I have tried new, and for me, unusual presentations at AWoW’s Showcases, a number of which I’ve always wanted to try but would only try in my room, some out in the garage. The reason? No Q and A; No “feedback.” I’m at the point in life where I can live without “feedback.” That would also cut into the evening’s schedule of events.

An eclectic evening is always in order in the beautiful, well kept, Cell Theatre. There have been so many great presentations that I’m loathe to mention just one, but I will: David Sharp’s piece on Tennessee Williams. Original, well prepared, respectful of the allotted time limit, and funny as hell.

In these days of sophisticated communication it’s refreshing to witness this sort of communion among flesh and blood folks. Bottom line, I’m very happy to be part of Artists Without Walls.”

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Veteran stage, film and television actor Jack O’Connell, an AWoW charter member and frequent performer, has appeared in many popular TV programs including The Sopranos, Law and Order, Blue Bloods, and Boardwalk Empire, and films such as “Doubt” with Meryl Streep, “Men In Black” and most recently in the Coen brothers, “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

KATHLEEN BENNETT BASTIS COMMENTING on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked some members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what Kathleen Bennett Bastis wrote:

‘The first time I went to an Artists Without Walls’ event I was immediately struck with the sense of community – a palpable vibe that seemed to take “ego” out of the equation – casual yet professional. The talent pool performing at an AWoW event is deep, many with impressive pedigree, bringing a broad range of musical and theatrical artists, dance, spoken word and comedy to their stage. I’m not sure there is anywhere in the city that a spoken word artist shares the stage with a belly dancer. The enthusiasm, variety and the high level of talent rarely wanes and keeps me coming back month after month.”

Mixed media artist Kathleen Bennett Bastis’s work is inspired by the distinctive character, energy and form found in the fragments of discarded, washed up, broken or otherwise overlooked materials which she salvages from the street, river bank and scrap yards. Their unique shape, texture and hue guide her creative process as she reinterprets the history of this detritus and constructs a contemporary visual narrative. Click here to visit her website.