| About Path & Testimonials |
Composer Leonard Bernstein wrote, "It is the artists of the world, the feelers and the thinkers, who will ultimately save us; who can articulate, educate, defy, insist, sing, and shout the big dreams." Our Board Gail & Neal Mangham Elisabeth Ruffner Contact The Artist's Path, Inc. 1608 St Andrews Way Prescott, AZ 86301-4431 Phone: 928 771 2554 Email: gailm@theartist'spath.org Milestones Corporate Name Secured Summer 2009 Articles of Incorporation September 11, 2009 501 (c) (3) February 8,2010 The Artist's Path is a Not for Profit Public Charity Mission: (A statement of why we exist.) Our mission is to encourage, support and produce artists’ work, new and published, while exploring the role of the artist in society through an annual event which examines the path of the artist through specific disciplines and themes. Vision: (A picture of what we want to be in the future.) The Artist's Path will become a regional, national leader in the arts, building bridges between cultures, exploring the source of artistic inspiration, discovering the diversity within the artistic communities of the world, all while educating, inspiring and entertaining. Testimonials In the words of the British artist and author, Nick Bantock, “Art is like therapy; what comes up is what comes up. It may be dark, but that’s what comes up. You may want to keep some of it in a drawer…but never judge it.” This is the artist’s path. As a playwright, I was given the opportunity to see one of my plays included in the inaugural season of The Artist’s Path and to be in the audience for each of the play productions and readings offered by Gail Mangham’s stroke of genius. It has been said that a writer is one who has to write—regardless of whether the writer (or any artist) earns anything for his or her efforts, regardless of whether he or she receives acclaim, however small. An artist simply must create. This is the artist’s path. How welcome it is to be invited to participate in a venture that recognizes that path, to be able to present a movement from within the soul, and to be able to experience the results of other artists’ efforts. But beyond the fact that artists must engage in such often-futile efforts to be heard, why do we do it? The small honorariums that The Artist’s Path was able to pay us for our work was much appreciated, yet the artist’s path is very different from that of those who create mass-market media. Beyond self-expression, is there any benefit to society at large? The purpose is not to earn money, but to present ideas that well forth from the soul for public consideration. As Normal Mailer once said, “The final purpose of art is to intensify, even, if necessary, to exacerbate, the moral consciousness of people.” In its first year, The Artist’s Path centered on “The Playwright’s Response to Conflict and Social Crisis.” As a part of that season, I experienced three magnificent plays, The Guys, The Syringa Tree and Seven. Through these plays, I was able to experience life within the consciousness of a fire caption who lost eight men in the collapse of the World Trade Center, of a young girl growing up in apartheid South Africa, and of seven peace and justice activists from around the world—each production beautifully and professionally performed. Did the productions draw large audiences? No. Did they garner large profit margins? No. Those goals were realized by performances of Elvis impersonators and remounts of lesser plays. I feel confident that as The Artist’s Path continues, it will draw larger audiences than it did during its first year. Nonetheless, I would submit this for your consideration: Those who attended the productions last year were more moved to change and action than those who attended lesser cultural events. Those who will attend the 2012 Artist’s Path productions will be moved to consider what love really means and how we might all better incorporate it into our ways of living on this Earth. Be it through humor, through romance, or through agape love—they will be moved. Yours very sincerely, Micki Shelton, Playwright December 11, 2012 I am a long time theatre arts professional and teacher, and have worked in college settings, community and equity theatres as well as numerous alternative venues. When I arrived in Prescott, AZ earlier this year I was delighted to meet someone of Ms. Mangham's caliber. Gail Mangham's passion for the possibilities and art of live theatre is matched by her commitment to excellence, wide range of skills and wise understanding of context. I first worked with her as an actress under her direction in a cast of seven, several of whom had not been on stage before. She treated us all as equals while never disrespecting experience, bringing us together into a formidable team of effective actors. I later worked with her in a 10-minute play as a co-actress where she was also directing! It was a pleasure to be on stage with such a generous and meticulous professional. When preparing an audition I went to her for polishing and we have worked on a couple of small pieces since. In one she was an actress, with and directed by a college student, in the play I wrote (over night) for the 24 Hour Play event at Prescott College. Most recently it was my pleasure to be her 'feed' on the youtube video for the Kickstarter site to fund The Artist's Path productions coming up next year. All this to say that Ms Mangham is able to work with people of all types, experiences and levels, with a grace and enthusiasm that is rare. She is not just talented and experienced but wise and generous. I heartily endorse Gail Mangham and any project for which she is seeking support. Sincerely, Kate Hawkes B.A; Grad Dip.Ed.Co; MFA (Theatre Arts) Author: Personal Magic: Conscious Empowerment through Creativity & Spirit www.wellnesswithkate.com December 1, 2011 The Artist’s Path has enlivened the arts and cultural conversation in Arizona. The festival’s commitment to producing works that spotlight issues of social justice, political awareness, and concern for the human condition, while striving for and achieving artistic excellence, makes this young organization distinctive and important. Whether commemorating the losses of September 11 through a moving production of The Guys, promoting cultural understanding and positive action through performances of Seven, or collaborating with a group of college students studying the arts and social change, Gail Mangham and her dedicated group of artists—and I’m proud to often be one of them—do exactly what an arts organization should do in a community: educate, entertain, and, above all, inspire. Inspire people to think, to learn, to converse, to participate, to contribute, to laugh, to cry, and to act. Charissa Menefee, PhD Director and Playwright Chair, Arts & Letters Program Prescott College |