“Walk into the window, sit with her in the window, and be counseled,” said Concra. “Just gotta go do it, everyone has got to go do it. You will walk out positive,” said Concra.
Saturday afternoon visitors will also be treated to an acoustic performance of Mike and Ruthy at the Old Dutch Church, with a band called Ida and the Lonesome Sisters.
“We are exposing people to a lot of bands that they have never heard before, and I think that’s amazing,” said Concra. “Most importantly, those bands are getting their teeth fixed; a very important part of that equation. They play and they get fillings. We had Phosphorescent play last year, and now I see them everywhere, and now they have nice teeth.”
Art director Kevin Paulsen, owner of Oo art gallery on Wall Street, said that this year’s theme is “exchange,” which he said may be as loosely or closely interpreted as the artist desires. “We left it as ‘exchange’ since we are exchanging art for health care, as a starting point for the artist we left it up to the artist how to be interpreted. Giving something and getting something back. Just giving, and receiving, is how it should be thought about.”
Fresh, new wheat-based paste-ups which bedecked uptown Kingston last year are beginning to crop up thanks to art students from Lafayette, Pa. Paulsen said that the transformation of Uptown walls is under way, some on the same buildings and others in new locations, “Keep your eyes open,” he recommended. Paulsen also said that the curator from Albany’s recent Living Walls exhibit, Samson Contompasis, will be visiting as well, and possibly even will curate a few walls.
Paulsen said that the entire festival will take place in the Stockade area, and that no art will be for sale, only exhibited. Paulsen noted that though many artists submit work, few come and take advantage of the free medical care being offered.
Professional artist and musician DB Leonard of Uptown’s Wall Street said that he is currently bogged down with a costly and inadequate health insurance policy which he wants to ditch. Leonard has been donating him time and talents to the festival. “I am very interested in learning more about the health services,” he said. “I spoke to the festival’s coordinating medical liaison, Dr. Art Chandler, who explained that by volunteering, I can sign-up with the clinic where they can look at my situation and help plan a health guideline for me.”
Over 1,500 people attended in the two day event last year, and Paulsen and crew are expecting even more this year. Rather than stockpiling T-shirts in every design and size, O-Positive will be silk-screening this year’s shirts on the spot from a selection of four designs in the desired size — an idea which Paulsen feels is not only more efficient but will see overall appeal.
For the schedule of events and more information on artists or musicians, please visit Opositivefestival.org.
(Photos by DB Leonard)
