Yamhill County Art Co-op

This idea has been brewing in my mind for a long while, and has just recently become a dream that I have hope of making a reality. I had no idea that so many other people were thinking along the same lines. As always, I am dreaming big, and per usual, I have no idea where to begin or how to achieve my vision.
That's where you all come in...
I've had a hard time in trying to describe to people what I want to achieve, because I see it in my mind as a completed entity. I guess the best way to lay this out is using bulleted lists to describe both what I want us to HAVE, and what I'd like us to DO, or PROVIDE. I will then be asking for further ideas, and suggestions/help to make it happen. So, here goes...

I would like us to have a building/space large enough to house the following:

• At least one large studio/meeting room that can be used both as open studio space and as an occasional classroom.
• Gallery space
• Photographic studio and darkroom
• An area for 3-D art of all kinds (pottery, sculpture, metalworks, etc.)
• Pottery wheels and at least one kiln
• An art supply 'store', in which we sell supplies to members at wholesale prices.
• as much additional multi-purpose space as we can muster
• get 501(c)3 tax exempt status 

I would like us to do, or provide, the following:

• Make art accessible and affordable to the masses. Make it fun again! Remind adults how much fun it can be to get your hands dirty to create something beautiful!
• Provide use of space and equipment to any artist or group of artists who need it.
• Provide public art classes for all levels. Classes may be taught by art teachers & profs, professional or amateur artists. 
• Have a gallery to show local artists. We should be known as the gallery of up-and-comers. My goal is to balance the needs of the artist with also trying to keep our gallery prices within reason. I want us to be known as the gallery for the masses. The average working stiff should be able to find a piece in our gallery that he loves and appreciates, AND can afford to purchase!
• Bring art back into the schools through volunteerism, artist-in-residence programs, etc.
• Give back to the community as much as possible. I'm envisioning at least one gallery show per year, with proceeds going to a chosen charity, fundraising events throughout the year, public art installations created at little or no charge to the city/county...

I would like the co-op to be 'the place to go' for artists and creatives of all types. I'd love to see this become a gathering place, a place people come to collaborate and learn from each other. To bounce inspirations around and bring out the best in each other, across genres and mediums.
We are truly starting from scratch here, people! So far, we have nothing but an idea. If you are reading this, what I need from you, in addition to more ideas and suggestions, is your time, your dedication to making this a reality, and your expertise, whatever that might be.
We need help with getting a 501(c)3 designation, we need land and/or a building... Once we have the tax exempt status, anyone willing to donate property to us would get one heck of a tax write-off!
As I've said, I have a vision of this place up and running and fully functional. I know it is going to be a long road to get there. And as I said, I have no idea where to begin. I am busy with school and looking for work, so any help you can offer in any capacity will be greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in being involved in this process, please contact me through this blog, find me on Facebook (facebook.com/fyreandreign), or email me at chshire2020@yahoo.com.
We should have a co-op specific facebook page up soon, and at that time, we will also have an email and you will be able to sign up for a mailing list to receive updates and alerts to events. Thanks for reading!
Tina Berry

Phantom Limb

It's been a long time since I last posted any poetry. Time for a new one. If you 'get' this one, you will understand it immediately. If not, I'm afraid it's a phenomenon I couldn't ever make you understand...

PHANTOM LIMB

your sex is piracy
we are ships passing
you slide inside
but you don't know what I feel
you don't see what I am
you can't feel this phantom limb

itching and untouchable
love lies when left unseen
can you feel me?

Fantastic Fire Poems #7 & #8

7.
When dreams are waking
and my heart is aching
and my hands are shaking
and you're mine for the taking
We fall together
like worlds quaking
like diamonds shining
like water divining
like kings warring
like oceans roaring
We roll like waves
and rock like caves
then heart to heart
and hand in hand
We fall like snow
and settle like sand

8.
Goddess above me
you rise so sweetly
greeting the dawn
on the day of my rescue
your gracious hand
reaches for mine
you are lifting me up
higher than i dared to dream
one kiss and i soar
above you
mortal no more

Fantastic Fire Poems #5 & #6

5.
you've left again
work calls you away
much too often
i long to have you here
to share in the beauty
of life and the
slow ache
beauty brings
but you're already familiar
with these things

6.
early morning moon
fog creeps in
frogs are trilling
in the cold
that old longing arrives
my arms are empty
without you here
come home soon, Love

Alice, Revisited

I'm cracked.
I'm through the looking glass
and never looking back.
just drink my potion,
shrink down to nothing,
invisible as I already am
to the Queen of Hearts,
with my Cheshire grin,
my Mad Hatter riddles,
my White Rabbit dreams...
But there is no date,
so pocket that watch,
and stay for tea!

Sisters

Over the years, my sister and I have spent many nights sharing memories and reminiscing over shared childhood experiences. I have come to think of these times as a sort of therapy session, as we not only laugh about the good times, but we cry and seek comfort for the bad times.
I've been feeling lately as though my sister is a million miles away, and I miss her like crazy! So here's a poem I wrote after one of these late night trips down memory lane...

Your pain is my pain
I carry it every day
Your joy is my joy
May it always be that way
I love it when you say
Come, sister, let's sit and talk
of nightmares unspeakable
of dreams unflappable
of givers and
of takers
of childhood mischief makers
of wisdom before hidden and
of hope,
surprising, unbidden
But most especially the love we feel...
I've felt it always,
I feel it still!

Fantastic Fire Poems #3 & #4

3.
walking down the street
we're happy as clams
gazing in each other's eyes
as we warmly clasp hands
others look on
in wonder
in hatred
in revulsion
in envy
in lust
staring like spies
from behind their newspapers
but all i can see are your eyes

4.
mystic goddess
you sing me to sleep
with your heartbeat
you compose my soul
with a single touch
you praise my vision
and kiss my eyes
you seek my honesty
then tell me sweet lies
crossing your lips
they sound like sighs
and we melt together
into night

Suicidal Dream (AKA Political Nightmare)

A few years ago, I saw video of a rescue off the Oregon coast. Always a dramatic scene, but this one was unusual... The guy stranded on the rocks appeared to not want a rescue, and tried to fight off the Coast Guard rescuers. Of course, they managed to do their jobs and save him. I have no idea whether he's happy about that or not...
This was around the same time that the nation was having a debate about how much sway the government should have in people's personal lives and decisions. We were deep in the muck of the Bush administration, and this incident came right on the heels of the Terri Schiavo case, so politics and personal freedoms were very much in confusion.
Anyway, that night it was difficult to get to sleep, and when I did, I had vivid dreams of walking into the ocean and not coming out. I woke sometime in the night to scribble some unintelligible stream-of-consciousness nonsense, that I have now distilled into a somewhat more understandable version of it's former self. I have tried to maintain the stream-of-consciousness style, while attempting to make it easier to read. I hope I found the right balance...

Suicidal Dream (AKA Political Nightmare)

Lying awake till 1 am, listening to Jewel and sobbing my esophagus inside out, trying to figure, when came this doubt? and when and how will i break out? panicked, i shout, but no one comes running to save me, so i wade into the ocean and let my weighted clothes carry me out to sea, and just as i fill my lungs to sing, this poor excuse for a rescue shows up to ruin the whole damned thing...
And i'm pleading with them to just leave me, let me find god, let me find peace, let me find mother nature and give her the kiss of life and a slap on the ass, someone's gotta do it, someone's gotta revive her soon or she'll keel over dead, and i can't live in a world with no seahorses or sand dollars, and the thought makes me fight like a steelhead on a string, but they've got me by the throat, they've got me in the boat...
Once again, the government has saved me from myself.

Fantastic Fire, Poems #1 & #2

1.
Sly fox with
a virginal smile
a tear in the eye
honey in the hips
a cry on the lips
ecstasy in her sigh
a small death to die
we take one last gasp
and we're out like a light.

2.
Morning: she arises
all flowing hair
sleepy eyes
silly smiles
and sizzling kisses
smooth sun-baked skin
inviting

she leaves me

i move into the warmth
of her void
caressing her pillow
breathing her scent
and i'm ready for the day.

Untitled slam

Watch this blog for an upcoming poetry series entitled 'Fantastic Fire: Notes to a Future Love'. This is a small but growing project that I started long ago, and have started adding to again recently. A series of love poems, to no one in particular, to an imagined future love, wherever she might be. Fantastic Fire will be featured here in the near future. Until then, an untitled poem...

I awake, tears streaming
but I can't stop my dreaming
though I'm wide awake & screaming
at the top of my lungs
and a million tongues
are singing my praises
and beating my brains in
and telling me I can't go back
and everything I lack
is wrapped up in my sin
and I'm clawing to get in
but this place belongs only
to the beautiful and the sane
those who feel no pain
and though I'm drowning in the rain
they won't let me in
and the sound of the door slamming in my face
just keeps pace
with the beating of my heart in my broken chest
and lest I forget what lies within my breast
I wear my heart on my sleeve
like a bulletproof vest...
If I bare it all, they can't beat it out of me.