Artist in Residence at VCFA Summer 2024

VCFA 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 in Colorado Spring! 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.