I am pleased to announce that I have recently been accepted into Franconia Sculpture Park's 2014 Open Studio Fellowship! I am honored to be one of 10 artists selected from more than 100 applicants for this incredible opportunity to live, create, and exhibit three-dimensional artwork all in one location.
For 4 weeks this summer, I will be living in a 9-bedroom farmhouse with other fellowship artists in rural Minnesota (about an hour outside the Twin Cities) and working in the open-air studios on a new, large-scale outdoor sculpture. In addition to lodging, Franconia provides its artists with funding for materials, transportation, meals, etc., as well as a group of rotating interns to assist with production. The exhibition of the finished sculptures kicks off with the 18th Annual Art & Artists Celebration on September 20, 2014.
At Franconia, I plan to build a large playground-esque structure entirely out of steel.
I am especially excited (and nervous!) for this opportunity, because:
- This will be the first time that I weld something this large.
- This will be the first time I construct something that is comprised of all curves and no straight angles.
- This will be my first true residency where I will be living away from my home.
I can't think of a better place to take on these challenges and channel my inner Flashdance, because Franconia is "a seedbed for big ideas, a space for transformation and experimentation" where artists are given the resources and encouragement to try BIG things.
Minnesota, here I come!!