10 Questions - PASB Designer, Tim Magenta

Happy 2020, everyone! We hope you enjoyed New Year’s Day and this year’s theme, ‘Sea You on Salmon Street,’ as much as we did! Polish American String Band is already hard at work getting ready for 2021, and one of the ways that we hope to make YOU more a part of that process is with this debut of our new ‘10 Questions’ series. Each month, we’ll select a member of PASB or figurehead within the string band or Mummers’ community, and we’ll do a 10-question interview with them to hear their first-hand thoughts on preparation, design, music, fundraising, and all other things related to the ‘Mum-world.’

For our first ‘10 Questions,’ we interviewed PASB’s own Tim Magenta. Tim is not only an immensely talented percussionist with a long history with PASB, but he is also an artist and designer. Tim has designed the suits and many of the sets which PA has used in the past several years in addition to being the primary painter of those sets, and this year is extra special as Tim also designed the suits, props, and painted for two of the Fancy Brigades including the 1st Prize-winning and 1st-Prize-Captain-winning Saturnalians NYB.

Here’s our chat with Tim Magenta:

Q: So, Tim, how does it feel to have been the designer for both the first prize Fancy Brigade and Brigade Captain in your work with the Saturnalians?

A: This is my very first 1st prize designing, and it tells me that I’m on the right track. It’s an amazing sense of accomplishment after all the hours and hours of research, rough drafts, and the final execution.

Q: How long have you been doing designs for the Mummers?

A: My first official costume design was in 2012 for Polish American string band. They wanted me to design their banjo and accordion costume, a Carmen Miranda character, and then I designed some set pieces for a few years before officially becoming Polish American’s Costume designer in 2016.

Q: What got you into it? How did you get your start?

A: In 2016 Polish American was working with Dennis Quaile. He was simultaneously working with the Spartans Fancy Brigade and they needed a scenic painter for their props or, as they call them, “Floats.” I had already started painting Polish American’s props the year prior and he referred my name and work to the Spartans. After a year of painting the Spartans props, they then hired me to design their costumes and set. Thank you, Dennis!

Q: Obviously, you have a tremendous artistic talent, and you’ve made a career out of it. Was this something that you always felt drawn toward? At what age did you decide this was what you wanted to do?

A: I started “doodling” costume designs when I was young, maybe in 2007, I think I was 14. Sitting at my father’s desk with crayola markers, I would make costume designs for Polish American’s upcoming theme. My dad was theme chairman at the time, and he would fill me in on what was being planned. I felt like I was helping him out by giving him and their designer, Bob Finnegan, some ideas!

Q: Now, you’re not only a designer in the Mum-world, but also a pretty accomplished artist. What are some of the highlights of your career so far?

A: I’m still young in my career! Having the opportunities within the art world to travel and have a studio practice in other cities and countries like Berlin, Germany last year is amazing to me. I will always be grateful for these experiences.

Q: As I’m sure most reading this would know, you’re currently a member of PASB. How long have you been with PA?

A: I always answer this question the same, “since I was born”. Because my father was captain when I was born, I feel like I was just born into this band. However, I think I was officially named a member of the Polish American String Band in 2004.

Q: What would you describe your experience with PA like?

A: My experience with PA can be summed up with the word “family.” …Literally, because most of my family is involved with the band in some capacity but also because that is the band culture we all try to live. Every member is like family to me. We laugh together, cry together, fight, and celebrate. At the end of the day, we are all brothers.

Tim , pictured here with his immediate and extended family in PASB.

Q: So, your dad was a former captain of PA, your brother is current captain of PA, any pressure..?

A: ABSOLUTELY NO! My role is within the creative realm of designing shows!

Q: I understand that you just started a teaching job here in Philadelphia; congrats on the new position! What was that experience like starting a new job the day after the Mummers’ Parade?

A: Yes, I just started as an Art Teacher at Father Judge High School. It was strange standing in front of my students talking about political influences for modernism when I was just celebrating the Saturnalian’s 1st prize the night before.

Q: Last question. In a word, what does the tradition of Mummery mean to you?

A: I can only speak for the String Bands and Fancy Brigades, but one word that comes to mind is ‘Artistry.’ What we do really is an art form and we should celebrate it!

Q: Thanks so much for your time, Tim. Anything that you’d like to let the reader’s know in closing? Any gallery shows or upcoming events you’d like to plug?

A: Now that the craziness of ‘Mum-season’ has come and gone, I can focus on my other practice, get back into my studio and make work. I’ve missed it so much. Keep an eye out on my Instagram @tim_magenta for upcoming shows.

Thanks so much to Tim Magenta for taking the time to chat with us and to kick off our new 10 Questions feature! Check back often for all new content coming soon to PolishAmerican.net!

As always, thank YOU so much for your support of Polish American String Band!