I arrived in Lusaka, Zambia in mid September. Since  I arrived right after the election, the government wasn't as inclined to keep electricity available to all at all times. So, that means that  most areas of Lusaka are experiencing about 6-10 hours at least every other day of no power.  It's called load shedding. Zambia is dependent on hydro-electric power sources and dry season has lived up to the name.  Everything is drying up.  I find this situation one of the most difficult combinations in which I've had to adapt . Also, I am walking about 2.5 miles to and from work in 95 degree heat.  It is exhausting.  I am looking forward to the rain.

On the up side, I have met many helpful people in Zambia who are eager to support my story.  I have sat down with already over 25 people for preliminary interviews.  The University Teaching Hospital has welcomed me with open arms for observation and I am scheduled to begin filming after the approval of my ethics proposal hopefully sometime in November.

I am also very involved with US Embassy events dealing with digital storytelling education. My first lecture was last week to about 45 people.  I am looking forward to series that I am building around a  brand new genre with a new curriculum in support of documentary storytelling though podcasts.

Stay tuned.
​Becky

I am happy to announce that I have completed the MFA program in Book Arts at The University of Alabama. 

The exhibition was titled A Functional Outsider: Namibia Collection.  The bookwork below is titled Concrete Facts.
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In June, I had the opportunity to do an internship with Cave Paper in Minneapolis,MN. I made a lot of paper! Amanda and Bridgette are inspiring and full of fun paper information and insights.

Thanks to the University of Alabama: SLIS & Book Arts for matching a grant from the Tuscaloosa Arts Council which funded my travel and lodging. 

These are only a few from the collection.  I spent 4 hours scanning all of them for my archives. It's the smart thing to do.  The selects will be in the book and in the exhibit. And there is a good chance that the other polaroids will end up in my thesis sculptures! 

After 5 weeks in Namibia for my current project, I am happy to be home.  I gathered more than enough material for a documentary, exhibit, and thesis.  The overall statement of my project came into focus while on my adventure.  My work is a statement on the influence of tourism and outsiders on Namibia's indigenous craft culture.  The adventure was grueling but, one thing remained easy… talking to the kids.  Kids are always happy to meet you and find out what you are all about.

Here is a selfie I took in a Himba village in NW Namibia.

Artprize 2013 is well on its way.  I'm so excited to be a part of the process.  I was able to display my sculpture at the K-Light Foundation and hundreds, maybe thousand? of people walked by the exhibit.

I was able to travel up to Michigan for the installation thanks to the support of the the University of Alabama Graduate School Travel Fund Grant and matching funds from the SLIS Graduate School - Book Arts.

More about my ARTPRIZE experience & Pics...