Sondra Carr
Weird Sisters trees couch.
Continued from Page 10
Between the physical art of the makeup,
the fashion of the costumes and the per-
formance of lip syncing and dancing drag
shows are a big creative outlet for Conklin.
“It encompasses every form of art under
one umbrella and that’s why I enjoy it,”
Conklin said.
But the costumes can be expensive, and
the largest expense comes from the wigs.
“I think for all of us in this smaller rural
area, fi nancially we don’t have a lot of
funds to put toward our art.” Conklin said.
“The nicest benefi t from this grant was to
get a nicer wig than I would normally have,
and not have to spend 10 hours styling a
wig.”
Who’s next?
Conklin is now on the selection com-
mittee to help select future artists for the
grants, along with Jessica Standifi rd, who
also applied for the grant in November.
Standifi rd said she was honored when
Carr asked her to be part of the selection
committee, and that the grant is supportive
of the local arts community.
“I think this type of grant is what can
often make that last push of a project hap-
pen, or can be the impetus to get the ball
rolling,” Standifi rd said. “The smaller
amount makes it possible to help more art-
ists, which is important to me.”
An artistic committee
Carr said she wanted the selection com-
mittee to be made of people who would
apply for the grant, whether or not they win.
“The creatives who are applying will
know that their ideas are being judged by
people just like them — other creative appli-
cants — and not some faceless gatekeeping
entity,” Carr said. She added the non-win-
ners on the selection committee will get to
see the process and understand what they
need to change in their own approach.
Creativity continues
Standifi rd has been a writer, performer
and events organizer for about 20 years, and
said her focus is on collaboration and bring-
ing different types of artists together.
She said grants for coastal artists, like
Sondra Carr
Aspen Grove in the Weird Sisters LAB.
this one, are crucial.
“The coast has so much to offer and
this is a good way to spotlight and boost
that,” Standifi rd said. “It also shows a drive
toward community building and artists
helping artists, which the area can only ben-
efi t from.”
Though Standifi rd didn’t win the grant
in November, her application still led to
more opportunities, as she and Carr are
now collaborating on upcoming events and
workshops.
Carr is hoping to get more and more
applicants each month and to invite a hand-
ful of applicants to give a short presentation
of their projects during the monthly give-
away events.
“I’m hoping to attract an audience who
might be open to helping with their own
donations toward any of the projects that
pique their interest and create another way
for creative support for all the applicants,”
Carr said.
For more information about the grant
program, visit the Weird Sisters Freak Bou-
tique Facebook page.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020 // 11