Dear Ps1-interested people,

As the subject states, we will NOT be renewing the lease in the Jefferson Building. As the discussions of our tenancy this spring and the new lease recently presented  to us has made clear, it is time for us to move on.

None of the stipulations of the lease were insurmountable on their own. As a much-loved organization with healthy support, we are confident we could raise enough money to cover a year’s worth of rent and utilities.  We are creative, flexible, and savvy enough to shift some of our organizations other activities to make up for the barrier of not being able to do live performances (we can and will continue to do these at ps·z!). But the sum of these changes and the philosophical mentality inherent there within don’t make sense to us. We figure: if we are going to initiate a large-scale fund-raising campaign ($10,000+), we want it to go towards a long-term solution, not leave us in the same boat this time next year. Ultimately, we want to put our energy towards a space where all our programming is possible and welcome.

We really appreciate all the work that has been done by people in the University business office and UI Foundation this spring in figuring this out for us. And as we’ve said in the past, we are immensely grateful to the UI Foundation for supporting our organization for the last 5 years. Their gift of space and resources has been an exemplary example of the University fostering a real commitment to the community that ultimately holds it. Management-wise, Dan Black and Steve Elder have taken care of countless legal and structural challenges over the past 5 years. This history of support has been bolstered our organization to the point that we will survive (if not thrive) with this newest change.

Though there may be those that read this loss negatively, this is not our nor the James Gang’s stance. To be clear: there will be a hiatus on art exhibitions while we re-imagine new installation spaces and possibilities. We have several ideas along these lines and invite others to get involved with us now as we plan this new exciting future.

As a timeline for vacancy: We are planning on ending all live performances at PS1 in early June. We have a theatre performance that first weekend, one music show scheduled for June 3rd, and a video screening scheduled for June 12th. We are booking no other performances in June to begin transitioning out. Our June exhibition will end June 22nd, and for all intents and purposes will be done with any programming in the basement of the Jefferson Building then.

Thanks again to all who have worked with us on this and helped our organization grow to what it is. ps·z and the Zenzic Press remain testaments to that work and are unfolding in amazing ways we couldn’t have foreseen. We look forward to consolidating our efforts and re-creating ourselves once again with more support and dedication to Iowa City’s art community.

Our Art Fair, the exhibition by Hideous Beast, opened at PS1 on Saturday, June 2nd with a forum about the Iowa Arts Festival and its relationship to the various arts communities of Iowa City. A panel of representatives from four of those communities joined us:

Megan Dehner – Gallery Attendant, The Chait Galleries Downtown
John Engelbrecht – Director, Public Space One
Katie Hargrave – Graduate Student, University of Iowa School of Art and Art History
Sean O’Harrow – Director, University of Iowa Museum of Art

We invited the organizers of Summer of the Arts, who are responsible for the Iowa Arts Festival and other programming throughout the summer, but, with the panel happening during the height of the festival, they were unable to attend.

The conversation was lively, informative, and is pushing our thoughts in many new directions. We will continue the conversation in various ways in the coming months. Stop by or send us an email if you would like to join in.

If you were unable to join us Saturday, the audio recording of the conversation is here. We will post video soon.

We are excited to announce that ps+z (on the lower level of the Wesley Center at 120 N. Dubuque St.) will be renting studios starting in July. This week there are two opportunities to check out the studios (and the new space): Drawing Club, Thursday 6/7, 7-9p and Correspondence School, Saturday 6/9, 11a-1p. Please feel free to come by anytime during those activities to see the studios, talk about the ps+z project, and of course, draw and write.

More details on ps+z and studio rental:

ART [ Iowa City Community Supported Art ] RAFFLE

We are wrapping up the first season of ICCSA Series 1. It was a success (our artists were supported), though we have a couple shares remaining. We are raffling off what is left to fund the program for the future! The raffle runs from now until May 20th and will end at the annual PS1 Cheap Art Sale. One need not be present to win; any support helps us keep our many projects going!

To be raffled off: (3) Inaugural prints from ICCSA (by Kalmia Strong & John Engelbrecht), (1) *Full edition of ICCSA Season 1 ($350 value), and (1) Super Secret Mystery Prize Package ($8 million**).

*Full edition Season 1 includes 7 fine art pieces from:

Chris Reno (fine art book), Mollie Goldstrom (print), Caleb Engstrom (print), Christina McClelland (sculpture), Andrew Ritchey & Richard Wiebe (DVD & golden paperclips), Amber O’Harrow (print), and the ICCSA inaugural print by John Engelbrecht & Kalmia Strong (print).

Tickets are $1/ea, 6 for $5, or 25 for $20; winner will be drawn at the conclusion of the Cheap Art Bazaar on May 20th.

Tickets are available at PS1, at a plethora of random art happenings over the next three weeks, (including SOUP on May 6th), or by contacting John Engelbrecht (319.331.8893, john@publicspaceone.com) and Kalmia Strong (917.703.1350, iccsa@publicspaceone.com). You can also buy tickets through our Paypal donation link (below). Just note in the comments that you’re buying raffle tickets, and we’ll put your tickets in our hat!

All proceeds from the raffle go towards supporting local arts programming that is often challenging, weird and experimental, but always accessible, well-intentioned, and absolutely necessary.

**really pretty kinda rough estimate

We have summer on the brain already. We want pool parties and barbecues and long days and popsicles melting all over our hands. But summer is not just about the heat; summer is about making things happen.

This summer is our third annual Summer Residency! We want you to submit a proposal for using the gallery as a studio all summer long. Perks include but are not limited to:

- cool basement
- studio space
- exhibition in August for what you make during the residency
- access to sweet PS1 happenings*

Send a short proposal of why you need the space, what you would do, and why PS1 is the perfect place to do it. There are some words and ideas about the gallery and what we look for in proposals here.

Proposals are due Monday, April 30. Send proposals and any questions to gallery@publicspaceone.com.

* Sweet PS1 happenings are always available to all.

2012 has been off to a whirlwind start, and the rest of the spring is set to continue coming in like a lion. Before we get too far ahead, we want to take a moment to stop and look back and forth into the recent past and the distant past, into the ever murkier and brighter future. The January Art Auction was awesome. The whole week of concerts and radio shows and improv and auction and pancakes and more were great. We absolutely could not have done any of it without you – all of you who came, who performed, who donated, who bid, who supported and encouraged every step of the way.

We also could not have done any of it (or any of the other awesome things that happen at PS1) without the help of The James Gang. PS1 was The James Gang’s first endeavor almost 10 years ago, above the Deadwood, just down the street from our current location.

PS1 is proud to be the longest running endeavor of The James Gang, which is why we are excited to tell you about a great event happening at an exciting place with even more exciting potential for PS1. On Wednesday, February 29, starting at 6pm, The James Gang is hosting an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner at The Wesley Center. There will be a simple meal of pasta, salad, bread and presentations by PS1 and the other great endeavors of The James Gang (Mission Creek, Reclaiming Roots, and the Iowa Youth Writing Project). It is the perfect time to find out more about The James Gang, PS1, and the other endeavors; meet some awesome people doing and creating great things around town; and get involved.

So, thank you for being great and supportive and encouraging and just you. Leap down to The Wesley Center on the 29th to find out more about The James Gang, how it makes PS1 possible, and the other cool things they are doing around town.

More details + RSVP here.

ps. Stay tuned for all kinds of cool spring time things at PS1.

IOWA CITY COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ART! LAUNCH EVENT!
Leaf Kitchen • Iowa City • Sunday, December 18th @ 7:30 PM

A big THANK YOU to the Leaf Kitchen for helping to make this event a reality! Their generosity and support has allowed us to truly expand our mission and make this the further-reaching community event it deserves to be.

This week PS1 wraps two projects, airs grievances and hosts poetry, dance and music!

On Thursday the 27th, the Works in Progress SuperArt series presents two movement performances — Suri Nuance – Thai Move Thai Dance; and Evolutions: the Toss Aways – part 3 of Amy Lynne Barr / Katie Fowley dance/poetry collaboration. 7pm.

Friday the 28th is the Works in Progress Closing Reception, featuring SoundPool: Performances by Analia Alegra-Femenias / Chris Weirsema; and a group movement improv/dance party to celebrate a fantastic month of dance, collaboration, text and performance at the PS1 space. 7pm.

Saturday hosts a double feature. First theatre than song. At 6PM, It’s POSTCARDS FROM THE APOCALYPSE II, a one-man play written/directed by JOSH BEADLE and starring RICK ADAMS who hacks and slashes his way through scads of the undead and performs a dozen or so characters from your favorite zombie flick.  Also performances on Sunday at 1 & 6PM. Check out the show for a mere $10 and we’ll throw in a bonus bucket of blood JUST FOR YOU!!! See you at theatre/basement.

Later Saturday night (the 29th) join Ed Gray & Company as they play a show with Chicago singer/songster Thomas Comerford. $5. 9PM start.

On Monday the 31st, Strange Cage, IC’s newest poetry org presents: Poetry Sacrifice + the Zodiac Trio.  Students from the Iowa Youth Writing Project will read and there will be music by the Zodiac Trio. 7pm.

On Tuesday the 1st, PS1 celebrates the end of the 500 fundraising drive, a 500 hour effort to raise 500 dollars to support programing at the space. Donate a buck in the next 6 days and PS1 will forever inscribe your name on a crumbling wall in the space!  And come out next Tuesday, for a Free Art School celebration.