Friday, September 21, 2007

PONCHO Artist in Residency Presentation



The opening for the 2007 PONCHO Artist in Residency & Pathways Scholarship exhibit at Pratt Fine Arts Center's Gallery space in the Tashiro Kaplan Building was a huge success. Turn out was outstanding and the show looked great. There are prints and collage by Amy Lee Walton, Wood and metal sculpture by Julia Haack, Jennifer Nerad's beautiful little prints and intriguing mixed media works by Joan Swearingen, as well as my acrylic and collage pieces on canvas and kiln cast glass tiles. There was a great energy at the opening and four of my paintings were sold before the end of the night.

Last night Amy Lee, Jennifer, Joan, Julia and myself gave a presentation on our work and residency experience. It was really fascinating to see the progression of each artist's work and their thought process as they transitioned from working in a familiar medium to exploring a new one. Each artist had components of their work that were common between one medium and the next, but they brought in new relationships with the different materials. Needless to say the talks were a really fascinating look into each artist's work and generated a fuller understanding than simply walking into a gallery and looking at the work on the walls or pedestal. I also noticed that Jennifer's "Pieced Landscape #1" a gorgeous little softground etching with chine colle had found a new home by the end of the night.

A very special thank you to Pratt Fine Arts Center, and PONCHO for making this event and this experience possible.

The PONCHO Artist in Residency is a competitive $1500 award that is offered through Pratt Fine Arts Center's scholarship program. Applications are reviewed by an independent board of jurors on artistic merit and the ability of the artist to clearly communicate how they intend to use the award. Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply, and priority is given to applications that convey how the artist intends to use the award to pursue work in a new medium. Applications are due July 1 annually and are available on Pratt's scholarship page. Here

Also Michelle Bufano, Executive Director for Pratt Fine Arts Center hinted that Pratt will soon be announcing a new residency program that is far beyond anything they currently offer. She didn't give any details about the award, but said that Pratt will be making an announcement soon. Keep your ears open...

For those interested in seeing the exhibit it will continue through Sept 29th, 2007

Pratt Fine Arts Center Galley
306 South Washington ST, #102
Seattle, WA 98104

Gallery hours: Fridays and Saturdays noon - 5:00pm

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