Comments about the painting "Lady of Avalon"

Dear Ms. Jaeger,

I wanted to write you before I talked myself out of it. My husband and I purchased your work "Lady of Avalon" at the Electrum art show yesterday. We found the work striking and could not resist its power. My husband was especially moved by the work. He commented several times that he did not understand how the judges could have missed it. He felt it was the only work in the show with true artistic value.

We would like to know about you and your work. We would especially like to know about your inspiration for your "Lady of Avalon". We would appreciate whatever you feel comfortable sharing with us.

Sincerely,
Kay Gray

The Billings Gazette, Billings, Montana

Artist has two shows

"Mydieval Faire," an exhibit of works in chalk pastel by artist Cory Jaeger will be held at Cold Mountain Pottery in September and the Kaleidoscope Gallery for the month of October. Receptions are scheduled 5 to 7 pm Friday, Sept. 6, at Cold Mountain and 5 to 9 pm Friday, Oct. 11, at Kaleidoscope.

The exhibits of mainly new works include "Lady of Avalon", a chalk pastel at right, and center on Jaeger's fascination with medieval legend. Her vivid depictions of knights and ladies are, to Jaeger, a direct reaction to growing up in Billings. "We are in love with the legends of the Old West," she says, "but I am drawn to other legends, like those of Camelot...the sense of ritual, of chivalry, that were the ideals of medieval culture, are so needed, yet nearly lost today."

Jaeger has staged one-person shows before, and was part of a national exhibition in Corvallis, Ore. She also plans shows in Helena and Portland.

Comments about the painting, "The Offering"

Dear Ms. Jaeger

I recently purchased a piece of yours from the Toucan Gallery. I believe it's called "The Offering". It's a painting with a solitary woman figure, semi-kneeling, with her open hands in the foreground.

It's a gorgeous piece. To me, it speaks of mercy and acceptance. It's hanging in my acupuncture room, and I love it there.

Thank you for creating such a beautiful and poignant piece.

Paul Amenson
Wellness Center

ArtSpirit, Corvallis, Oregon; Women's Art

"Incantation", 24"x 18", Pencil on Paper, 1995.

Women's Vision, at the Corvallis Art Center, features work by women in a wide variety of media. Artists were invited to share their vision of the world around them--from the politically charged messages of equality and womanhood, to explorations of daily rituals such as reading the morning paper. The show is a strong reminder that art produced by women is both varied and rich.

This exhibit was the impetus for a two county celebration of women and their contributions to our world, also entitled, Women's Vision, coordinated by the Corvallis Arts Center/LBCA. A listing of related events to take place in March can be found on page 4.

Vision, was juried by Judy Howard of Hanson Howard Gallery in Ashland. Howard's gallery is a prestigious showcase for West Coast artists. Howard holds a Masters degree in Arts Education from San Jose State University, and is a strong voice for continued arts education. In addition to being an educator, administrator, gallery owner, and designer, she is also a painter. Her work is represented throughout the country. She was appointed to the Oregon Arts Commission in 1983, and has recently completed her second term. She is active in the Oregon Advocates for the Arts, Rogue Gallery Board, and the Oregon Art Education Association Board.

Calyx: A Journal for Women, has selected pieces from this exhibit for publication in an upcoming journal. This selection will be announced at the March 13, artists reception, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Corvallis Arts Center along with additional awards. Calyx also will celebrate their 20th birthday during this reception. The public is welcome to attend.

Artists from all over North America sent hundreds of entries to be juried--underscoring the need for more opportunities such as this. In addition to work from the Pacific Northwest, many regions were represented.

Billings Gazette, Fundraiser fights domestic violence

A few items at the fundraiser are from Linda's Flower Fashions and Gifts and Glassworks, as well as "Grey Lady in Red," a pastel by Cory Jaeger, and Tiger Quilt by Vicky Thorpe.


February, a month which traditionally represents love and romance, is once again time for the YWCA's benefit to aid in the fight of domestic violence.

The annual fundraiser is next Friday, Feb. 21, according to Kate Weiss, YWCA director of Women's Services.

The benefit will help support the YWCA Gateway House Domestic Violence Shelter.

February has been set aside nationally by domestic violence advocates as a time to sponsor "Love Without Fear" events, Weiss said.

Over 800 women and children found safety at Gateway House in 1996 and another 3,000 found support through the 24-hour crisis line and support groups. Sponsors of the Feb. 21 event at the Y, 909 Wyoming, are the Heights Exchange Club of Billings, the Junior Women's Club, Women in Construction, and Cosco.

All proceeds from the auction go directly to providing services to victims of family violence through the YWCA Domestic Violence Program, Weiss said.

For tickets, which are $30, call (406) 252-6303 or FAX (406) 245-7867. Advance purchase is necessary to plan for the meal.

The Billings Gazette, Billings Montana

Art from the Heart: Children put emotions on paper
Christine C. Meyers
Gazette Arts & Leisure Editor

"You beat time on my head
With a palm caked with dirt,
Then waltzed me off to bed
Still clinging to your shirt."

From Theodore Roethke's
"My Papa's Waltz"
circa 1950


The young are often forgiving.

For them--even kids with broken hearts--Valentine's Day is a time of hope.

Some abused children find art as a catharsis for their wounds.

Through it, they temper their awareness of reality with the hope things will be better.

Artist Cory Jaeger combined her love of kids and the paintbrush with a unique Valentine's Day project involving abused children.

It stands to make $18,000 for YWCA's Gateway House for abused parents and children.

Jaeger, a recent graduate in art from Montana State University-Billings, has experience as a site co-ordinator for the Y's Gateway program, which offers safe haven and counseling to abused and endangered families.

YWCA Women's Services director Kate Weiss approached the artist about producing a fund-raising poster.

"I had a feeling it was a good idea, one that would touch people and give them a way to help us, which we very much need," said Weiss.

Working with Marty Bulgatz, shelter co-ordinator, Weiss put the artist together with some of the children, encouraging them to transfer their emotions and hopes to paper. The result is a heartfelt collage compiled by Jaeger from the kids' evening of art. Cutting sections from their paintings, she used her own sense of design and color to assemble the finished piece.

"We wanted something upbeat, not dark or depressing, to illustrate our theme, 'Love Without Fear.' " Weiss said.

The hearts are a rainbow of subtle colors, soft blues and greens, warm pinks and oranges. Some are cracked, or shadowed with a darker color. "As the kids worked, the tone of their conversations got very serious," Jaeger said. "They talked about their pain."

One of the participating artists, an abused teenage boy, had to be hospitalized shortly after making his contribution. Tom, according to his mother, Marge, felt good about his painting. Her troubled son, she said, responds to art as therapy.

"He has been so emotionally abused by his stepfather that his bowels don't work properly. He is back in medical and psychiatric treatment now, " Marge said Tuesday. "But I think the art has a real positive influence on him and I want him to draw more as he begins to feel better."

The Gateway House kids have suffered a range of ravages, from physical injury and beatings to emotional abuse and badgering, to witnessing the violence of one parent on another, or on a sibling. Some are sexually abused as well.

In two shelters, with protected addresses, up to 50 women and their children may be cared for. The 24-hour hotline is 259-8100.

Jaeger donated her time and talent for the freestyle project and local businesses, including Artcraft Printers, offered discounts to the nonprofit Y.

The poster is signed, "Cory Jaeger and the Gateway Kids" and includes the theme, "Love Without Fear."

"It's the Y's Valentine to the city", says Jaeger, "because it's art from the heart."