THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 Page 9 Artist spices up digital, interactive art gallery with customizable avatars By Tara Vocino M alden artist Karyn Alzayer hosted a digital, interactive art gallery, featuring guest-made avatars, on Saturday night. Using an application called Gather, approximately 33 guests customized their own avatar to explore 35 pieces of artwork video game–style. Like Zoom, participants had access to their microphone and camera. Alzayer’s husband, Daud, took a month creating the template, where guests can stop to view each work of art. Everett Councillor-at-Large Gerly Adrien and Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone, family, friends and other guests attended Saturday’s gallery. “I’m so excited to officially launch this space and was thrilled to see so many friends, family and community members,” Alzayer said Monday. “I hope it can inspire others to think about the different ways we can interact while keeping our distance.” A painted “play me, I’m yours” piano that Alzayer designed was showcased at the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. The “caged ducklings,” referencing children separated from their parents in immigration, made national headlines. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Par t icipants can interGallery participants, using a video camera and creating an avatar, had to find the traveling wishing wall along with 34 other pieces of artwork in the five-hour gallery. act with each other based on their proximity in the space. Besides moving like in a video game, avatars can dance or become transparent ghosts to spice up the fun. The gallery is available online permanently, using only Chrome or Firefox browsers, ideally on computers vs. cell phones/tablets. Half of the artwork pieces are available for sale. For information, visit https://gather.town/app/ nsMShpUL0EVMr2lD/HennaInspiredGallery. “Penelope” is a five-foot fiberglass rabbit sculpture. (Photo Courtesy of Katy Rogers)
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