Mary Van Notes

I saw a call for entries for artist grants in the SF Weekly several weeks ago.  Having had my first experience applying for a grant last year, I thought, why not?  I enjoy applying for artist grants, seen as stand-up comedy is such an under-recognized art form.  I guess I just want to feel validated.  I want to be like, Yeah!  I’m an artist!

I was totally humbled and amazed to be picked as a finalist for the SF Weekly Masterminds 2010.  I was in the same group as some incredibly talented people: dancers, fashion designers, painters, sculptors, real art people!  SF Weekly wrote me up and sent an awesome photographer, Eartha L. Goodwin, to take some shots of me.  We had a lot of fun.  Here are some of those shots:

all photos by Eartha L. Goodwin

I went to Artopia, the event benefiting the grants and also celebrating the local artists/finalists.  There were 12 finalists and only 3 get the grants.  I walked in and it was pretty amazing–a lot of people.  I brought a DVD to show my video Papercuts, but I couldn’t find the lady in charge.  I walked in the gallery and each artist had their art displayed, a little plaque with their name on it and the artist’s statement.  There was no plaque for me, no space.  I didn’t feel like a part of the show.   I told my date, “Yeah, there’s no way I’m getting this thing.  I’m not even showcased here.”  We sat and cuddled up for most of the event, he said, “Let’s just get your check and leave.”  I laughed, “There’s no way I’m getting it.”

The cover of the SF Weekly (I’m one twelfth of the cover, the purple part) and my legs! photo by Hanna Quevedo via here

Me and my handsome date. photo by Hanna Quevedo via here

The editor announced the first winner.  He was introducing the next award, “And the next winner is a comedian…” WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!!?!?!?!   I couldn’t fucking believe it.   I had an instant perma-grin that lasted the rest of the evening.   I hugged the SF Weekly people and almost cried.  Wow.  It meant so much to me to be a finalist, and then to win a grant… wow.  It was such an honor.

This is what SF Weekly said about me, “Van Note’s film shorts reminded us of Andy Samberg’s digital shorts for SNL, but darker. Like all good comedians, she makes us laugh by being brutally honest. She’s crude and vulnerable at the same time. And she’s hella funny.” (from here)

So thank you, SF Weekly.  I will never forget it.  With the money I plan on living for as long as I can, truly focusing on my art.  I plan on working on my one-person show and a screenplay adaptation of my first novel. I’m stoked.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 21st, 2010 at 7:40 pm and is filed under Art, Gavin Really Wants Me, Mary Van DAAAMN!, Rants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.