May 19

A parade of winners: McKay Grantees

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Right around this time of year, the Fremont Arts Council awards McKay grants to Solstice Parade artists.

Parade prep

This year, they’re distributing grants of up to $1,000 from a total pool of $4,500 to the following grantees:

  • Christie Wolf, “Rube Goldberg Solstice.” Christie and LeeZuhars and Chuck are building an outrageous Rube Goldberg contraption (think the game: Mousetrap) to roll, spin, pour, lurch down the street.
  • Kate Freeman, “Venetiza Solstizo.” Kate and Mylinda Sneed have designed a grand Venetian waltzing carnival ensemble, complete with a life-size gondola.
  • Brian Koozer, “Volcano!” Brian is back this year with some over-the-top parade art. A huge volcano will roll down the street, spurting stuffed endangered species and cans of pineapple. A monkey will be on hand to help the confused Tiki-headed minions open the pineapple.
  • Sarah Lovett, “Dogody.” Sarah is creating a huge, 10+ person, doggy puppet this year to play with the parade watchers in a tail-wagging, tongue flopping good time.
  • Allie Kerr, “Stormy Weather.” Allie is leading an ensemble about rainy days, real and metaphorical. Stilt walkers and banners express the idea that if you want sun, you should prepare for rain.
  • Ann Sloper, “Ice Queens 2010.” Ice queens are back with a crazy new “big-dress” ensemble. Imagine the street filled with gorgeous, ethereal, sexy, strong maidens in bigger-than-life paper dresses. Some horses (studs?) will be on hand.
  • Sonia Telesco, “Flying Dreams.” Sonia will be creating flying silk banners, lifted on high with helium balloons, as a glorious gateway for the parade entrance. Unstoppable, she is also making a gateway for the end of the parade, and at each of the three stages along the route.

The Dave McKay Parade Grant program supports the development of art and performance for the Fremont Solstice Parade.

According to the Fremont Arts Council:

Dave McKay was a celebration artist who brought his master costume-design skills, thoughtful intention, and deep attention to detail and craftsmanship to all his art, especially in his work with the Fremont Solstice Parade and Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration. He believed art and art-making should be a part of everyone’s life. The primary goal of the Dave McKay Parade Grant is to honor his memory by supporting artists in their efforts to bring engaging art to the parade and enhancing the spirit of creative community collaboration.

And for those of you who haven’t experienced a Solstice Parade before, it’s not your mama’s ticker-tape parade.

The Fremont Arts Council (FAC) is a community-based celebration arts organization. We value volunteer-ism; community participation; artistic expression; and the sharing of arts skills. The Fremont Solstice Parade is the defining event of the FAC. We celebrate the longest day of the year through profound street theater, public spectacle, and a kaleidoscope of joyous human expressions. We welcome the participation of everyone regardless of who they are, or what they think or believe. However, The FAC reserves the right to control the content presented in the Fremont Solstice Parade. The rules of the Fremont Solstice Parade, which make this event distinct from other types of parades, are:

  • No written or printed words or logos
  • No animals (except guide dogs and service animals)
  • No motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs)
  • No weapons

Applications were reviewed by a selection committee composed of FAC members and Solstice Parade Staff. This is a competitive process, with special consideration given to:

  • Creating the project in our public workshop
  • Large-scale projects that use the 360 degree space of the street theater
  • Use of recycled materials
  • Directly engaging the audience along the parade route
  • Kinetic movement
  • Thought-provoking and innovative ensembles

Tags

mckay grants, Solstice Parade


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