Mia Pearlman, the cut paper artist, contacted TOE a little over a week ago with an urgent message.  Excuse the tardiness, I hope this post isn’t too late:

TOE -

I just received the message below from Karen Shaw, a curator at the Islip Art Museum. Due to budget cuts, the town is planning to lay off the entire staff on Monday, effectively closing the museum.

As you may remember, I created a big installation called GYRE at the Carriage House at the Islip Art Museum last summer and have 7 works on paper in the exhibition WEATHER CHANNEL this fall—if the museum is still open after the entire staff is laid off next week. The Islip Art Museum has long been an important venue for emerging artists to create site specific installations, get studio space, exhibit their work, and introduce their work to the wider public. It is one of the very few local institutions with a focus on site specific installation. It would be tragic if it had to close.

The Islip Art Museum gave me the opportunity, resources and freedom to make a major installation that has since been featured internationally in many books, blogs, articles, etc. I feel very indebted to this institution and I hope that you will take 5 minutes to write a quick note to the Islip town supervisor pledging your support for the museum, and urge them to keep the staff employed and the doors open. Please do not let this amazing opportunity for local artists close its doors!!

http://www.islipartmuseum.org/home.html

Please send a letter/email to the town supervisor!

supervisorsoffice@townofislip-ny.gov

Thanks,

Mia Pearlman

http://miapearlman.com

Read Karen Shaw’s message on the other side.

Tags: ::ART::, budget cuts, carriage house, cut paper, gyre, islip art museum, karen shaw, letter to town supervisor, long island, mia pearlman, new york artist, take action, TOE, urgent message

I don’t remember a time before I was interested in art.

Where were you born and where do you live now?

I am a born and bred New Yorker, resident of Fort Greene, Brooklyn and a die-hard Mets fan.

Tell us about your education.

I realized I was an artist at age 12 when I had to choose where I wanted to go to high school. It was clear to me that the one constant interest in my life had always been drawing (while wanting to be a ballerina, scientist, etc) and that it probably would be forever. Luckily, I got into LaGuardia High School (otherwise known as the “Fame” school) where I majored in studio art, after an interview, 3-hour drawing test and portfolio review. After that I went to Cornell University where I nominally majored in Painting but made a series of interactive sculptures for my BFA thesis. Both were incredible experiences, as much for the exposure to my peers as the education they offered.

More Mia.

Tags: ::ART::, ::INTERVIEWS::, artist interview, cut paper, exclusive interviews, fame school, james baldwin quote, mia pearlman, mia pearlman interview, new york artist, synesthesia