The Arrowmont Experience: Featuring Work by Current Artists-in-Residence
October 7-28, 2016
The Arrowmont Experience: Featuring Work by Current Artists-in-Residence
Opening reception: Friday, October 7, 5:00-9:00 PM
Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, 3:30-6:30 PM (through October 23).
The Arrowmont Experience will feature work by its current Artists-in-Residence, Grant Benoit, Richard W. James, Maia Leppo, Austin Riddle, and Emily Schubert, as well as a small selection of works from its permanent collection. This exhibition is presented in conjunction with Tennessee Craft Week, October 7-16, 2016, a collection of craft events and happenings across the state each October. The purpose is to connect and celebrate Craft Artists, the work they create and the businesses that support them.
The Artists-in-Residence Program provides early career, self-directed artists time, space and support to experiment and develop a new body of work in a creative community environment. Each year, five artists of different media are selected for the eleven-month program, which begins mid-June and continues through late May of the following year. Participants receive exhibition opportunities, teaching experience, professional development and a private studio. Arrowmont’s artists-in-residence will showcase contemporary, craft-based works using a range of media including functional and sculptural ceramics, fiber, mixed media, jewelry and collage. The current Artists-in-Residence include:
- Grant Benoit is a mixed media artist interested in narrative, place and memory. He received his MFA in printmaking from Southern Illinois University and his BA from Spring Hill College. Grant utilizes techniques from ceramics, printmaking, and textiles in his installation and sculptural pieces.
- Richard W. James received his MFA in ceramics from the University of Kansas and his BFA from University of Tennessee, Martin. His figurative sculptures explore childhood experiences and psychological narratives by combining clay, found objects and textiles. www.richardwjames.com
- Maia Leppo is a metalsmith and jeweler. Maia received her MFA in metals from SUNY New Paltz. Studying first in Biology and Community Health at Tufts University, Maia incorporates those interests and research into her jewelry and body adornment pieces. www.maialeppo.com
- Austin Riddle recently completed his BFA in ceramics from University of Utah. He has previously been to Arrowmont as a studio assistant and makes utilitarian clay objects using a variety of construction, decorative, and firing techniques. Instagram @austinriddlepottery
- Emily Schubert graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with BFA in fiber and textile art. She has spent the past several years studying and working in the art of puppetry and performance. “Drawing from mythology, folktales, memories, and personal experience I create sculptures, characters, puppets, and multi-media performances that aim to make some sense of our existence by giving form to our collective fears, sorrows, and desires,” says Emily. www.emily-schubert.com
The exhibit will also include a small selection from Arrowmont’s permanent collection, which includes nearly 1,000 works in a variety of arts and crafts media. Made by the hands of current and past Arrowmont instructors, individuals from the settlement school’s days, and past artists-in-residence, the works represent the arts and craft school’s history, present, and future. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a national art education center. The school enriches lives by developing aesthetic appreciation and fostering self-expression with hands-on experiences in a variety of media, classes, conferences and seminars. On the leading edge of arts education, Arrowmont utilizes contemporary and fine arts techniques to build upon a foundation of traditional arts and crafts. For more information, please visit www.arrowmont.org.