Linda Sibio’s “Cracked Eggs” holding fundraiser at the Beatnik Lounge on Sunday (8/16)
Joshua Tree artist Linda Sibio has spent decades turning her experience with mental illness into art and creating opportunities for other artists to find their creative voices. Now, her life and work are the subject of a new documentary, as the local program she created works to secure its future. Reporter Hilary Sloane has the story…
Linda Sibio is an artist, performer, and teacher, and the founder of Bezerk Productions. She is also the creator of Cracked Eggs, an arts program for people living with mental health challenges.
Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Sibio has spent decades exploring her experiences through drawing, performance, and collaborative art.
Through her organization, Cracked Eggs, Sibio created a place where artists could work together, develop their creativity, and be recognized.
Filmmaker Graham Kolbeins is documenting Sibio’s life and the community that has formed around her work.
The feature-length documentary, also titled Cracked Eggs, follows Sibio as an artist, an advocate, and a person navigating her inner world.
The filmmakers call their approach the “Three Lindas.” The film combines observational footage, archival material, and Sibio’s artwork. The film explores creativity, mental difference, and how people living with mental illness are often defined by others.
The filmmakers have launched a Seed&Spark campaign to help complete the documentary. But here in the Morongo Basin, Sibio is also raising funds to continue the work that inspired the film.
Bezerk Productions says it is facing financial difficulties and is at risk of losing its office. Sibio hopes to raise enough funds to host workshops for the local community.
A fundraiser will be held Sunday, August 16, at the Beatnik Lounge in Joshua Tree. The event will feature performances by Steve Lester, Adam Shows, and Sibio, along with a clip from the documentary.
Sibio will also create an eight-by-four-foot drawing of a willing audience member. According to Linda, participation requires screaming.
The fundraiser supports Bezerk Productions and the Cracked Eggs program.
