Artist in Residence at VCFA Summer 2024

Vermont College of Fine Arts Summer 2024 in Colorado Spring

I had the incredible honor of being the Artist in Residence for the MFA Visual Arts Program at VCFA’s 2024 Summer Residency at Colorado College in Colorado Springs! I was beyond thrilled to share this fantastic experience with my vibrant community of artists and colleagues!

 

I gave an artist talk and student art critiques, created an artwork, and invited the students and faculty to participate.

During my residency, I worked on a project inspired by VCFA's recent transitions. These included announcing the sale of the buildings in Vermont, relocating residencies to Colorado and Pennsylvania, and partnering with CalArts in California.
As an alumni who loves VCFA and understands how these changes have impacted many individuals, the piñata project aimed to provide a break from the negative news, stress, and anxiety brought on by these changes and encourage a more optimistic outlook for VCFA's future.

I made the piñata shaped like VCFA’s VT main building using a wire from Vermont. I also used a newspaper from Colorado to shape the piñata as a reminder of its last residency before going to California. The wrapping paper was made from copies of all the news articles I could find about VCFA’s transmission. The candies inside were Lifesavers wrapped with the CalArts logo.

The first person to hit the piñata was one of the Visual Arts Program’s Co-Chair. The second person was the VA Program’s Director, followed by the graduate students, some of the last to attend VCFA in Vermont. Then, students from different semesters, including one who had just started the program, took turns. It was important to me that even those less familiar with VCFA’s transition took part because it also affects their future.

If You're ___ & You Know It" at The Norwalk Art Space

If You’re ____ & You Know It: Identifying Emotions at The Norwalk Art Space

June 16th - September 7th, 2023

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Curated by Kor
ry Fellow Isabella Montenegro and featuring artists June Ahrens, Melissa Benedek, Casey Correra, Kasimir Comunale, Chelsea Danburg, Erin Dolan, Britt Garth, Brett Masterson, Nadia Martinez, Russell Miyaki, Chris Sainato, Sharon Smalls, Brea Thomas-Young, Kelly Walters 

 

If we don’t tell people how we feel, how will they know? Communication is key. There are five types of communication: verbal, non-verbal, written, listening, and visual. All of which you can experience through this exhibition. As you wander the exhibition, you may question pieces and their meaning. However, take the time to be open-minded and accept that the first thing you see, hear, watch, etc., is an experience that is a more personal feeling or emotion for your own self. Understanding that there is no right or wrong answer in art is powerful, and using this practice to openly and freely communicate complex emotions could create the key to unlocking a more compassionate and open-minded society.

 

If You’re ____ & You Know It: Identifying Emotions is a group exhibition with artwork examining the concepts of feelings and emotion through art; not just through paintings but also through music, creative writing, dance, poetry, etc. The contributing artists were asked to consider the following theme: "Identifying Emotions''. The artist's responses will be presented in The Norwalk Art Space in an effort to show how they have used their practice to communicate their feelings and emotions through art. During the exhibition artists' work will be sold, if they so choose, with thirty percent of the proceeds donated to The Norwalk Art Space in support of its mission.

 

The Norwalk Art Space strives to increase opportunities and equity in the local arts community by offering free art and music education and mentorship to under-served students, sponsoring and promoting local artists through its Resident Artist program and Korry Fellow exhibitions, and providing the public an exciting venue to explore art and music, all free.

Fragmented Memory (The Impact), 2023 and Untitled (Fragmented Memories), 2021

The artist talks with Isabella Montenegro, Korry Fellow and Curator of the exhibition If  You're ___ & You Know It at The Norwalk Art Space.
Isabella will lead a discussion with 8 incredible artists from the exhibition, so don't miss this opportunity to gain insight into their creative processes, inspirations, and the stories behind their thought-provoking artworks. It's a chance to dive deep into the minds of these talented individuals who have contributed their unique perspectives to the exhibition.


Date: August 6th, 2023
Time: 3-4:30 PM
Location: The Norwalk Art Space, 455 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850

Featured artists:
June Ahrens
Kasimir Comunale
Casey Correra
Britt Garth
Nadia Martinez
Sharon Smalls
Brea Thomas-Young

Kelly Walters