Morehead State University, Kentucky. October 2011

In October 2011, I was invited to Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky, to perform and coordinate a participatory Rangoli drawing.
The finished design was 5ft x 5ft in size, took over 15lbs of rice in 10 colors and utilized the help of 18 participants over 6 hours.
Many thanks to Jennifer Reis, Gallery Director of MSU and the following students for their help, focus and enthusiasm:
Annie Peterson, Morgan Gaunce, Sarah Porter, Jaleesa Wonell, Maria Blevins, Nancy Sartor, Alana Brewer, Chrissy Smith, Tara Castellano, Callie Morgan, Torri Bakonyi, Collin Hite, Carly Saunders, Oana Elena Nae, Angie Comstock and Sarah Burkhardt.

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Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

On the weekend of 2nd and 3rd April 2011, I was invited to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA to perform a Rangoli, as part of Sensational India!, a weekend of creative activities celebrating the arts and culture of India.
Two separate designs were provided for children interested in participating in rangoli making.

The Rangoli design was a celebration of springtime. It included around 8-10 colours, took 10hrs to complete and was 6 x 6ft in size.
On this occasion the design was drawn out onto fabric first, making its demolition a little easier.

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Vermont Yoga Festival

The 2nd Annual Vermont Yoga Festival, organised by Jennifer Cherkasov and Lisa Mase took place over the weekend of October 15-17, 2010, at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, VT. More information can be found at http://www.vermontyogafestival.com/
I performed the following Rangoli demonstration at the festival site. Size: 3ft x 3ft. Time taken 4hrs.

Rangoli for Vermont Yoga Festival

Upcoming Rangoli Events:

Coming soon! Please check back for more information

Suffolk University, Boston 2010

In April 2010, I was invited to Suffolk University by Afshan Bokhari, Assistant Professor of Art History at the New England School of Art and Design, to deliver a two-day Rangoli workshop/demonstration and present a lecture about my practice.

The Rangoli was constructed to celebrate the opening of the new, state-of-the-art NESAD building at 20 Somerset Street.

Over the two day period, up to ten students helped to complete the design, which was 7ft x 7ft in size and comprised of 13 different colors of dyed rice and various grains. Time taken: approx. 12hrs.

The event was sponsored by The Rosenberg Institute for East Asian Studies, the CAS Dean’s Office, and NESAD.

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Thatcher Brook Primary School, 2009

In December 2009, I was invited to work with the pupils of Thatcher Brook Primary School during a one-week cultural residency. It was a fun and busy week – each of the 350 pupils had the opportunity to learn about Rangoli design and construction and have some hands-on experience.

Half the school worked on a traditional Rangoli, working with rice and lentils.  The rice was affixed to an 8ft x 4ft panel board and varnished, so the school could keep it on permanent display.

The remainder of the school worked towards a stained glass Rangoli. This is also on permanent display within the school.

Outdoor Art Festival, Bury, Lancs 2005

Rangoli commissioned by Bury Arts Festival, Bury, Lancs. UK. 2005.

Size: 3ft x 3ft
Time taken: approx. 6hrs
Materials: rice, pulses, lentils

Chorlton Park Outdoor Arts Festival 2005

This Rangoli was designed for the Chorlton Park Arts Festival, an annual celebration of art and culture in Manchester.

Size: 8ft x 4ft. Completed on cotton covered board.
Time taken: 6hrs.
Materials: rice and lentils.

After the complicated center was complete, members of the public were invited to participate and help finish the design.

Stockport Hatworks Museum 2005

Rangoli design completed for the Hatworks Museum, Stockport, Manchester. UK. 2005. The rangoli was commissioned as part of Black History Month.

Size: approx. 4ft x 4ft
Time taken: approx. 6hrs
Materials: rice, pulses and grains

X.trax Outdoor Art Festival 2006

Rangoli completed in a bus shelter at the X.trax Outdoor Art Festival in 2006.

Size: 4ft x 2.5ft.
Time taken: approx. 4hrs.
Materials: Pulses, lentils, rice.