Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Great Ltr. to the Editor in Star Tribune from a Supportive Basilica Parisioner

The paper only had one letter in response to yesterday's article about the DVD to ART project, and it sure does hit the bulls eye!
You can read (and comment on it) at

Thank you for the continued support!

Monday, September 27, 2010

My dog's a TV star... and, whew!, I held my own.

Click on this live link:


http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/minnesota/basilica-st-mary-artist-suspended-dvd-to-art

Here's what to do with your DVD!

The following have generously offered to be drop-off sites for the dvds:

Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ and
Minnehaha United Church of Christ (contact: James)


4001 38th Ave. S.
Minneapolis MN 55407

Th/F: 9a-1pm and evenings

Parkway United Church of Christ (contact: David)


3120 Washburn Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55411

(across the Parkway from North Memorial Hospital)
(612) 522-2982

OutFront Minnesota (contact: Monica)
310 38th St., Ste. 204
(Sabathani Community Center)
Minneapolis MN 55409
Office Hours: M-F/ 8a-7pm
Bldg Hours: M-F/ 7a-9pm (can leave at front desk), Sat. 8a-6pm.


St. Martin's Table
2001 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis.
Hours are Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m., and Saturday: 9:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m.
DVDs can be left  anytime at the counter.


Or send it by mail to:

P.O. Box 3028
Burnsville, MN 55337-3028

***ReturnTheDVD will make a donation to St Stephens Human Services on behalf of each DVD they receive.
Please note on your DVD that you would like it to directed to DVD to ART.

More drop off sits will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.

If you are interested in hosting a drop off site, or standing on the public sidewalk, with a DVD to ART collection box, near a Catholic church this coming Sunday, please contact dvdtoart@gmail.com 

Speedy Updates



I stole this image off my BBF's blog (www.gugeo.blogspot.com--the best blog on the net!)  The speed at which everything happens now with new media is amazing!

Here's a link to today's update on City Pages blog.

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2010/09/lucinda_naylor.php

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Me 'n' Galileo?

 Yesterday, the pastor of the Basilica of Saint Mary suspended me from my position as Artist-in-Residence (a position I’ve held for 15 years). This came 48 hours after I facebooked my intention to spearhead a personal art project turning the archbishop’s disheartening, divisive DVDs into an artwork about inclusion and hope,  
Disappointed as I am by my suspension, I do not want to overly focus on it. My primary focus remains on making a great piece of art in collaboration with all of you who donate DVDs. 
However, I must note that I am both startled and humbled to find that I join the ranks of people before me who been silenced or ousted one by one for disagreeing with the church.  Maybe in 500 years, I, like Galileo, will get my suspension lifted.
The Catholic Church is full of wonderful, loving people. The DVD to ART project is about highlighting those folks who say, “Yes, let’s come together and welcome everyone.”  
 “All are welcome at the table” is not just an Episcopalian saying. If Jesus was physically here today he wouldn’t be dining with tax collectors, he’d be dining with drag queens.
Please help me continue with my vision by donating your DVDs and spreading the word about the project. I want to create a sculpture so big and beautiful that everyone will see the love that is at the heart of the Catholic Church.

Friday, September 24, 2010

City Pages Picks Up DVDtoART

Here's the story City Pages did on the project:
Archbishop John Nienstedt's anti-gay DVD becomes art fodder

Do what? Yes, indeed, get those dvds headed this way:) Tell anyone who might know anyone who might know anyone...you know the drill.

The Traction Begins---First Digital Ink

So, ask for something to go viral, and sure enough, it actually starts to!

Here's the first digital press on the DVDtoART project, courtesy of the Minnesota Independent:
http://minnesotaindependent.com/71190/minnesotan-seeks-to-creatively-reuse-of-catholic-churchs-anti-gay-marriage-dvds

Pass it along, and let's get that distribution network in gear:)! Email with questions and suggestions:)

Art Changes Everything. You Can Help.

I have a button that says “art changes everything”.

And on September 22, the archbishop sent Catholics in the Twin Cities a DVD warning that the sky will fall if Minnesota legalizes same-sex civil marriage. 

I want to create a beautiful piece of art using the free art materials being sent out by the archbishop: in other words, to transform the DVDs of fear into art of hope. I need as many DVDs as I can collect.

When you receive the archbishop's DVD please resist the temptation to send it back, burn it, or use it as a Frisbee. Save it for me!

Collect them from all your friends and fellow parishioners. The more dvds, the larger the piece of art, and the bigger the statement the art makes: that being Catholic really is about love and inclusion. I want to make a BIG sculpture!

Please spread the word among your friends, family, anyone who might be interested. I need volunteers to help collect the DVDs.

Would you be willing to collect DVDs from fellow parishioners or other Catholics you know who get the mailing? Or stand with boxes near your church (on the public sidewalks or streets) before/after mass to collect the DVDs (this Sunday and/or next Sunday, depending on when the mailing arrives in your zip code)? I will be arranging pick-ups from people who collect them.

If you are non-Catholic and belong to an "open and affirming" church, would your church be willing to act as a drop off site? Or do you have a business that might be helped by new people dropping by? Please contact me if you can help with providing a drop off point for the DVDs.

In addition, I will post a location where people can drop off or mail DVDs.

More details will come as things develop. In the meantime, please share the link to this blog with anyone you think might find it of interest, and join our "DVD to ART" group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001318740117#!/group.php?gid=129383097110848&ref=mf

For this to work, people need to hear about it first---so, again, please, spread the word---go viral, go ART!