'The Holes in My Heart'

The Modbo presents February’s First Friday: “The Holes in My Heart,” new art by Jo Carol Ciborowski.

The opening reception is from 5 p.m. until midnight on Friday, February 2. There will be live music at 9 p.m. by comedic piano duo Swelter and Burn.

The Modbo is located in the Arts Alley in downtown Colorado Springs at 17C E. Bijou. Find the stretch of Bijou that is between Cascade and Tejon, and go south down the alley. Street parking is available, but The Modbo recommends the lot on Cascade just north of Bijou, which is only a $1 after 3 p.m.

About the artist:

After studying art at Western Maryland College, Jo Carol dabbled in art projects throughout her years as a peripatetic Army spouse and the mom of two fabulous daughters, the most notable being the metamorphosis of a rural medical clinic in Plato, Missouri, into a cozy home.

Upon settling in Colorado Springs in 1996, she began pursuing art and taking numerous classes and workshops. In 2000, she took a headlong plunge to make the “artist” title official by renting her first studio, and 17 years later, she now creates art at Cottonwood Center for the Arts, along with the 80 other artists who have studios there.

Jo Carol has frequently taught art to students of all ages– from preschoolers to senior citizens. She most recently taught art to developmentally disabled adults for two years. In her own art, Jo Carol delves into psychological issues as a way of processing life’s vicissitudes. Her art has been juried into numerous shows in Colorado Springs, including several solo shows. Her work graces collections across the country, especially in states where her relatives reside.

About “Holes in My Heart”

The heart, that which pumps life-blood throughout our body, has become over the centuries a symbol of the central wisdom of feeling as opposed to the head wisdom of reason. In ancient Egypt, the heart represented life-essence and those who were mummified had their hearts preserved.

Some speculate the modern heart symbol was derived around 3,000 BC from the shape of the silphium plant seed, a common herbal contraceptive. The heart emoticon made its first appearance in 1977 with the hugely popular “I ‘heart’ NY” ad campaign.  

Today, the heart as a symbol has a myriad of meanings: compassion, understanding, life-giving, longing, affection, the complex seat of our emotions. “The Holes in My Heart” explores ways to observe our heart experiences – both our heart-joys and our heartbreaks – ways to observe without judgement and ways to accept fully all of our heart experiences. Because that’s what makes us human.