Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
From August 9 to 24 I painted a grand teaser (border) and two grand tormentors (legs) at the University of Minnesota in Duluth for the Sanderson Arts Centre in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. The three pieces form a portal, reducing the proscenium opening from 50 feet wide to 25 feet wide for more intimate performances, with trim heights ranging from 14 feet to 18 feet. Although the design was finalized and all materials ordered in June, the project became delayed when the paint space became unavailable due to COVID-related concerns. At the beginning of August, the space was again available for my original timeframe, now only a week away. Everything shifted into high gear as I planned for an Aug. 9 start. The rental was only possible if I worked there completely solo and constantly wore a mask; so, the unloading of supplies, setting up the space, unfolding drops, snapping lines, and handling bending sticks was just me. Keep in mind that the sizes of the scenic pieces were 54’w x 12’h (teaser) and the two torms at 19’w x 20’h 9 (legs); still doable by a single person, but just unpleasant.
I left Minneapolis on Sunday, August 9 at 6:15AM in the morning. By 9AM I was unloading all of my supplies into the humid shop and jumped into the project. The days were a blur of 12-hr. to 14-hr. days. I finished the teaser on August 19 and the two torms on August 21. August 22 was a day for tweaking, with my final day in the space reserved for clean-up. The drops shipped on Monday, August 24. I returned to Minneapolis last night after my fifteen-day absence. In regard to the logistics of the project, the border was painted on the main stage floor and the legs on the motorized paint frame. Being able to paint all three pieces simultaneously was the plan, as I could shift from one piece to another, allowing for ample dry time. It also meant that I was able to shift position constantly, something that is incredibly helpful when physically doing a long stretch.
I can’t wait to see how to pieces look in place as this is a permanent installation. More later.
