the Barnstormers
on view September 22 - February 27, 2005

In September, the museum's Education Department hosted its first annual Catalyst residency (September 22-October 2, 2004), featuring the international artist's collective, the Barnstormers.

Six Barnstormers - David Ellis (aka Skwerm), Mike Houston, Che Jen, Kiku, Sasu and Kami arrived from New York and Tokyo to spend two weeks in a residency that also involved the participation of teens from Kuhio Park Terrace's PACT program and the Cinema Paradise Film Festival.

The artists worked with PACT teens on a large-scale evolving painting on the Museum's grounds. The teens were also trained in basic filmmaking by CPFF staff, and together, documented the progress of the larger, collaborative painting on film. Woven through the genesis of the work were themes inspired by the interests and concerns of the teen participants, and by the rich interactions between artists and teens. The completed painting and accompanying film will remain on view in the gardens and in the Video Gallery through April 2005.

The Contemporary Museum is in a unique position to facilitate the role that today's artists may play in the lives of young people, and in giving voice to the issues and experiences of underrepresented communities. By forging a true relationship between contemporary art, youth in our community, and their most pressing concerns, the Catalyst residency program works to build a stronger community for us all.

Stay tuned for more information about Catalyst 2005. This program is coordinated by Wei Fang, Curator of Education. Generous support for the Barnstormers' residency was provided by the Atherton Family Foundation, LEFF/Community Futures Collective, Lowe's Hardware, Sherwin Williams Paints, Evelyn Twigg-Smith, Dean Geleynse, and Glenn and Susan Shea.