Boll movie well received at art center
By Paul LaPann, plapann@newsandsentinel.comPARKERSBURG - A screening of Parkersburg native Pam Tanner Boll's documentary "Who Does She Think She Is?" raised $12,758.63 for the Parkersburg Art Center Saturday night.
It also raised awareness of issues involving artists and their families.
Boll and one of the five artists in the movie, Angela Williams of Providence, R.I., were among the 85 people who attended the movie's screening at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, followed by a reception at the art center.
Boll, a 1973 graduate of Parkersburg High School, expects her movie to be released in October, first in New York City, then Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other large cities before it reaches smaller markets. The 84-minute documentary, which chronicles the struggles of women trying to balance their artistic passions and family obligations, was finished in March.
"Who Does She Think She Is?" also had a recent screening in Asheville, N.C., where the 250-seat theater was nearly sold out, Boll said.
Several people at the Parkersburg screening said they would have bought the movie's DVD if it had been available.
Ruby Ruppel of Parkersburg found the movie to be interesting and sensitive to the issue of women trying to raise families while wanting to pursue artistic endeavors at the same time. "It is an important movie for everyone to see on how people have to follow their heart if they have a passion," Ruppel said. "I hope she (Boll) has commercial success."
Boll said she began working on the film in 2003 after learning of Maye Torres of New Mexico, who works on paper, in metal and clay. Her subjects are primarily strong women with a spiritual need to care for the earth. Torres, the mother of three boys, has a dedication to both her craft and children and lives just above the poverty line.
Boll saw the sculptures of Janis Wunderlich of Columbus in Boston and knew she should include Wunderlich in the movie. Wunderlich, a Mormon mother of five children, balances her family obligations with creating art that is shown around the world. Four of her sculptures were displayed at the art center reception.
Boll found out that Williams, the mother of two girls, was commuting from Providence to Boston to pursue a career in acting and singing, with aspirations of appearing on the Broadway stage.
"I was looking for all types of artists from various regions of the country," Boll said. "Not just from the big cities and coasts."
The work of the five artists in the movie moved Boll emotionally. Boll said she often cries when she hears Williams' beautiful voice. Williams sang for the audience at the Parkersburg reception. She was accompanied on the piano by Peter Sour of Marietta.
Williams thanked the local residents for listening to their stories on film. Williams said she was hesitant at first to have parts of her personal life shown in the movie, including the unraveling of her marriage. But after talking to Boll about the movie Williams said she became comfortable with the idea.
"We all thought the stories were told well," Williams said. Williams was impressed with the Parkersburg Art Center, calling it a treasure for children and adults.
As a child growing up in Parkersburg, Boll said she wanted to become an artist someday. She discovered that most of the known artists are men.
Art center director Abby Hayhurst said proceeds from the event will go toward replacing the facility's old air conditioner, which will cost $18,000.
Hayhurst said Boll will allow the art center to sell copies of the movie in the gift shop when they become available.
