PLEASE Help Us Spread The Word To Your Contacts!
AREA Chicago will host its first annual WANTS and NEEDS Benefit Party on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Green Lantern Gallery, 1511 N Milwaukee Ave., 2nd Floor. Pease note this is not an ADA accessible venue. 8 pm til late; $10-$20 (sliding scale) before 10 pm. $20 thereafter for Dance Party with DJs Naomi Walker, Kim Soss and Charlie Vinz! Admission includes homemade goods and one free drink.
At 10 pm, the hilarious Micah Maidenberg will emcee a Live "Wants-and-Needs" Auction of Skill and Resource Sharing donated by AREA friends, contributors and advisors. Bids for the Service and Skill Sharing Auction will start as low as $5.
Proceeds from AREA's WANTS and NEEDS Party will benefit AREA's sixth issue. This issue will document the local economic justice issues and create a "How to easily understand the last 30 years of public policy toolkit for local activists". This issue will be published in Spring 2008.
This is a current list of auction services (and their contributors):
Service/Skill: Mike Wolf, complete with facial hair and a good, smiley attitude, will offer up to 8 hours of labor for this AREA auction. Labor of the following persuasions are some examples: -High quality interior painting (including patching holes, etc...) -Home electronics installation/consultation -Unskilled odd-jobs such as carrying and moving stuff, cleaning, hanging mirrors, putting together IKEA furniture, etc... Restrictions: 8 hours (give or take, depending on the demands of the task/s) Need Advance Notice: 10 days advance notice but flexible. (February 2008 not available)
Starting bid: $30
Mike Wolf, when he is in town, is a Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist and Mess Hall keyholder. Some of his projects can be viewed at: www.stopgostop.com/nca. He appreciates criticism and questions.
- Hand Sewn Embroidered Pillow #2
Service/Skill: Rachel Wallis will hand sew a pillow to your specifications, with the embroidered design of your dreams (previous pillow designs have included images from loteria cards, robots, sea creatures, and a portrait of north korean dictator kim jong il, although not all on the same pillow). You can either submit a simple image for the design, or we can work something out together based on your ideas. Restrictions: Designs have to be relatively simple line drawings or easily adaptable photos Need Advance Notice: 1 month to sew the pillow, depending on the complexity of the image
Starting bid: $20
When Rachel Wallis isn't organizing around immigrant rights and latin american solidarity, she's making things out of fabric, thread, pictures, paint, shrinky dinks, and pipe cleaners. Her creations have been sold at the Handmade Market at the Empty Bottle, and online at Rebelimports.com.
Service/Skill: Marc Fischer Need help sorting or inventorying your stuff? For four hours (preferably all in one day) Marc Fischer will help you get your crap in order. He could alphabetize your books by author, sort your
records or CDs by artist or genre, arrange your lint collection bysize or texture, put your DVDs in order by title, arrange your sea shell collection by color or sort your VHS tapes by the year of release in reverse chronological order. It's up to you. Marc will either strategize with you on how to better organize your personal reference collection, or he'll just do the labor or organizing the stuff by whatever system you desire.Restrictions: The session will last 1 hour
Starting Bid: $30
Marc Fischer is a Chicago-based artist and the administrator of Public Collectors (www.publiccollectors.org). Fischer is also a member of the long- running group Temporary Services and an active co-founder of Mess Hall, an experimental cultural center in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood.
- A Self-Guided Tour To & From Your Location of Choice plus Map #4
Service/Skill: Ryan Griffis of the Temporary Travel Office will create A Self-Guided Tour From Your Location of Choice to Your Parking Lot of Choice. The winner will receive a guide map and instructions printed on heavyweight paper using high quality ink jet printer. Winner will also receive a CD digital version of the tour created using Google Earth. Need Advance Notice: Guide will be deliverable 2-4 weeks upon receiving locations. Directions sent to HYPERLINK "mailto:agent@temporarytraveloffice" agent@temporarytraveloffice.net
Starting bid: $30
More information on the project, including previous maps, are available here: http://www.yougenics.net/traveloffice/ollywood/parking.html The Temporary Travel Office is a fictional, yet operational travel agency specializing in “critical tourism”. More info: http://www.temporarytraveloffice.net
- Theraputic Body Work Session #5
Service/Skill: Kate Sheehy will treat you to an hour and a half of bodily massage theraputic goodness. The session will include a thorough intake to determine specific goals, postural assessment, individual treatment plan and self care recommendations following the treatment. Restrictions: one session Need Advance Notice: one - two weeks, depending
Starting bid: $40
Kate Sheehy has been practicing bodywork for the past three years. She specializes in Thai Massage and therapeutic muscular therapy.. Other interests include unicycling, puppet shows and digging in her garden.
Service/Skill: Ryan Hollon Teaches Ry Bo! For one time only! Ry-Bo! is a pro-dance, post-gym method for taking care of your self and knocking out your stress. It weaves together movement magic, heart friendly drills, and mind calming breaths. One part dance party, two parts freedom, Ry-Bo! explores the moving body in search of where liberation begins. Are you ready? Need Advance Notice: 2 - 3 weeks
Starting bid: $20
Ryan Hollon is a volunteer organizer and Research Associate at the Center for Urban Economic Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was guest editor for AREA Solidarities Issue #6.
- Hand Set Letterpress Poster Edition #7
Service/Skill: Dan Wang is making an exclusive offer to print an edition of 50 hand set, letterpress printed event posters for the auction winner's chosen event. The event could be a public event, performance, meeting, wedding celebration, lecture, birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc. Restrictions: The design will be created by Dan, himself, because a) he is the artist and b) he only has a limited selection of typefaces--only certain faces in certain sizes in varying amounts), but the essential information will be provided by the winner. Dan will keep a few for his archives. Need Advance Notice: sixty days
Starting bid: $200.
Dan S. Wang Dan S. Wang is a printer, writer, artist, and activist who works individually and with groups. He prints on a Vandercook SP-15, using handset type. Not part of the cultish book arts world, he prefers printing on non-archival papers. His printer heroes include Fredy Perlman, Joseph Labadie, Alexander Berkman, and Benjamin Franklin.
Service/Skill: Interested in hiring a volleyball coach to join that indoor league? Want to polish that slam or Impress the babes (male or female) in the Summer heat on the Lakefront? Volleyball maverick Dave Pabellion offers 3 hours of instruction for you, a group of your friends, or your recreational team. Restrictions: Will need a Net. How does Summer fun at a public park sound?
Starting bid: $10 *This is open for shared bidding.* Dave Pabellion used to play college club and coach USAV traveling teams in a former life.
- College Counseling Services #9
Service/Skill: Sarah Atlas spends her working days helping young people navigate the ins and outs of applying to colleges. Got a friend who has teenagers, any nieces or nephews that need a bit of help? Maybe your organization wants to have Sarah come in and lead a workshop for your youth. Either way, she will contribute one or two college counseling sessions, a service that will provide general information about college planning and financial aid. These sessions can be used for an individual or for a group of students or organization working with students. She promises brightly colored handouts! Restrictions: evenings and weekends work best. Need Advance Notice: three-four weeks
Starting Bid: $25 for one session; $40 for two sessions. Sarah Atlas is an educator who currently works at an arts education organization and whose heart lies in sunny California.
Service/Skill: Charlie Vinz will sing a song with banjo accompaniment for your sweetheart, or the person you want to be your sweetheart! Choose from a short list of sweet love songs, or you could even suggest one for him to learn. He can perform on the spot at this very event, or he can make a special appearance at the most appropriate time and place!
Starting bid: $5 Charles Vinz is an architect with a B.Arch from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and as it appears, he also plays the banjo. He has built a handful of shanty-like structures in various collaborative contexts and is into participatory and inclusive design practice.
- Bicycle Tune-Up AND Mechanic Lessons* #11
Service/Skill: Complete with her own tool set, Sarah Miller will come to your house and give your Bicycle a Tune-Up and you a Mechanic Lesson. Get your bike running in tip top shape...and learn how to do it yourself for the future! Tune-Up and instruction includes cleaning and maintenance of brakes, dérailleurs, cables, chains, headset, bottom bracket, hubs and truing. She’ll even bring special mechanic beer to share. Restrictions: (2) 3 hour classes for you, or you and your friend. * This is open for shared bidding for up to 2 people.* Need Advance Notice: 2 weeks
Starting bid: $50 Sarah Miller has worked for the city and the bicycle federation teaching biking safety. Despite all the time spent wrenching she still believes humans are more important than bicycles. She currently teaches, volunteers, and learns at West Town Bikes.
- “Correspondence Stock” Typographic Design and Hand Printing #12
Service/Skill: AREA designer extraordinare Dakota Brown will offer typographic design and hand screen printing for either a two-sided business card or a letterhead and envelope, or some similar design printing service. He calls this "correspondence stock" -- which sounds very classy -- after that scene in "The Life Aquatic." His services include one session on what your options and desires are, and some strategizing on how to do it cheaply in order to make it easy to have a steady supply ready for the next printing + the actual design and printing! Restrictions: Paper and some printing supplies will need to be provided by the winner. Need Advance Notice: 2 months
Starting Bid: $40
- Tres Leches Cake and Tea Service* #13
Service/Skill: Vanessa Roanhorse will come to your house, or invite you to hers,and make a tres leches cake from SCRATH with homemade whip cream and fresh strawberries. She will provide tea service and elegant conversation for you and any others during the baking. Restrictions: You decide the location. Cake takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours in total preparation. Need Advance Notice: one week
Starting bid: $10 * This is open for shared bidding.*
Service/Skill: Laura Klein will video document your next important or exciting event – a Birthday Party, Infomercial, Invention etc. It will be 5 to 15 minute Video Documentary and services include filming of event, editing, and 3 copies (plus master) on DVD. She also conducts pre-requested interviews during the event being taped! Restrictions: She can film the event for up to two hours. All editing requests at day of filming, (titles, transitions, etc…) No porn, sorry. Need Advance Notice: 3 weeks
Starting bid: $75 Laura Klein is an artist and filmmaker working rimarily with a 16mm bolex camera and a Sony digital camcorder. Her films have shown in Beijing,Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Amsterdam and at the Telluride International Experimental Film Festival.
- Spanish translation/editing services #15
Service/Skill: Leticia Cortez will offer Spanish translation or editing services - your choice. She will translate for a program or event of up to 2 hours in length, or edit an essay, newsletter or paper no more than 3000 words. Need Advance Notice: three-four weeks
Starting Bid: $20 A lover of Spanish Literature and Geology, Leticia Cortez teaches presently at Truman College in their Adult Education program. Leticia was one of the editors of the biligual publication ¿Hasta Cuándo? and use to write for Chicago Ink among others.
- Photoshop/Illustrator Tutorial Workshops #16
Service/Skill: Dave Pabellion will donate a design tutorial workshop series comprised of (3) 1 hour photoshop/illustrator class meetings with the auction winner. The classes can take place at Mercury Cafe on Chicago Ave. or at the comfort of the bidders home.
Starting bid: $25 Dave Pabellon is a prolific designer and educator who bounces between Chicago and Oakland teaching and designing. He is in constant pursuit of projects that overlap visual communication and community empowerment.
Service/Skill: Did you ever want to learn the butterfly Or rotational breathing? How about that that stroke you just couldn’t ever get right? Kristen Cox is offering (2) 1 hour swim lessons courtesy of her Irving Park/Pulaski YMCA membership. Restrictions: limited YMCA hours, depending on open swim time Need Advance Notice: two weeks
Starting bid: $5 Kristen Cox Is a resource developer and avid cultural absorber who has found meditation the most fruitful while swimming. She was on the swim team during the summers while growing up and often swam freestyle for her team’s relay races.
- Get Your Group a Blog #18
Service/Skill: Dave Marques is a blog-making nerd, especially if they're blogs for small non-profits, activists, or issue-based discussion groups. He bets you’re involved with a project that could benefit from some blog interactivity. Special Bonus: fancy header graphics! Restrictions: set aside 2 - 7 hours Need Advance Notice: three weeks
Starting Bid: $75 Dave Marques is the Administrative/IT Coordinator for the Southwest Youth Collaborative and a big fan of AREA Chicago..
- Oral History Knitting Afternoon #19
Service/Skill: Cassie Fennell will collect and document your, or someone else's oral history, like your grandma, while teaching you enough knitting basics to make a blanket for your action figure. She’ll even make you and your grandma (or someone else) a very good vegetarian sandwich! Restrictions: 3 hrs. Lunchtime activity. Need Advance Notice: one month
Starting bid: $10 Cassie Fennell studies anthropology at the University of Chicago. Nowadays she’s conducting ethnographic research for a dissertation project about Chicago’s public housing reforms.
- Audiotape and Editing plus Educational Service #20
Service/Skill: Aaron Sarver is auctioning off his audio recording and editing skills for your needs. Got an important event or program coming up? Aaron’s your man. He’ll record an event, an interview, a conversation or something difficult like a live mixed media piece and submit an audio file for your records. He would be more than happy to share his knowledge with you about the equipment, his recording techniques and have you watch and work with him during the editing process. Restrictions: one event up to three hours in length. Need Advance Notice: 2 – 3 weeks
Starting bid: $25 Aaron just completed an audio tour of the Jane Addams' Hull House Museum and is open for audio recoding hire. Aaron Sarver was the associate publisher of In These Times magazine; you can see an archive of his radio show at www.fireontheprairie.com.
- Guasha Treatment or Training #21
Service/Skill: Liz Appel is offering a guasha treatment or would be interested in training someone how to do it. It's a basic but incredible healing technique used in Asia by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Guasha is practiced to help provide relief from pain and symptoms of acute "colds" and "flu" including stiffness, fever/chills, cough, etc. The techinque used removes blood stagnation considered pathogenic, promoting normal circulation and metabolic processes and is valuable in the prevention and treatment of acute infectious illness, upper respiratory and digestive problems, and many other acute or chronic disorders. Restrictions: 1 treatment/training session Need Advance Notice: 2 – 3 weeks
Minimum bid: $40 Liz Appel is a member of Acudetox Healing Collective, a group of community health workers, activists, and organizers who believe that accessible health care is social justice. Appel also organizes fellow Chinese medicine students to provide community healthcare.
- Personal Letter Writing Service #22
Service/Skill: Claire Pentecost will write you three hand-written letters delivered to your mailbox. They will be about all kinds of things she is thinking and may also include writing about topics of your choice (up to three topics per letter). This is a sort of personalized mail art project with extra epistolary content, i.e. letters may include drawings and ephemera and letters will be no shorter than two pages each. If you write her first and if you reply to her letters, she will respond to you, but if you don't have time or don't want to, she will still write to you all three letters. They my or may not come from other countries. there is no money back guarantee. Restrictions: you must have a mailing address. Need Advance Notice: She is not promising any particular schedule.
Minimum bid: $50 Claire Pentecost is an artist, writer and educator. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Photography at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Service/Skill: Claire Pentecost will also offer a tarot reading for you. This is a face to face session that takes a minimum of one hour but could go longer. You can come to her house in Humboldt Park or she will come to yours, but a quiet setting is required. Restrictions: Steve Kurtz was one of her teachers, if that means anything to you, but their methods are radically different. Infer as you like.. Need Advance Notice: be patient. It will happen within a year.
Minimum bid: $94.00 Claire Pentecost is an artist, writer and educator. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Photography at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Historical tour of Chicago's Haymarket monuments* #24
Service/Skill: Nicolas Lampert will lead a historical tour of Chicago’s Haymarket monuments - Martyr's Monument at Waldheim, Mary Brogger's Haymarket Monument, and the Police Monument. As a well-informed guide, he will provide transportation, historical analysis of all three monuments, information on public interventions, and a biased perspective that sides heavily with the anarchists. Restrictions: Tour limited to four people. Tour can accomodate schedules but will take place in a 4-6 hour time span on a weekday or weekend. Need Advance Notice: 4 weeks
Minimum bid: $50 *This is open for shared bidding.* Nicolas Lampert is an interdisciplinary artist focusing on collage, graphic art, writing, curating, and teaching. He co-edited Peace Signs: the Anti-War Movement Illustrated, a collection of international posters and graphics against the War in Iraq in 2003.
- Make 2 Herb forumulas with Rebecca Davila
Service/Skill Learn how two make two exceptional herb formulas for staving off the common cold (really easy to make!) It can involve a trip to chinatown to visit an herbal pharmacy or i will have the herbs available.
We can also make a stop at St. Alps Tea House in Chinatown- they have yummy teas!
Starting Bid: $20