Tag Archives: pat ryan

Midwest Artist Studios Project at the Wisconsin Art Education Association 2016 Conference

Standard
Frank being interviewed for Artspeak Radio

Frank being interviewed for Artspeak Radio in Kansas City, KS. Photo by Fred Trease.

I am happy to announce that my Midwest Artist Studios Project proposal has been accepted to be part of the 2016 WAEA Fall Conference: Bold and Bright, in La Crosse, Wisconsin in October 2016. Also, the MAS Project is a proud sponsor of this state art education conference and will be onsite as an exhibitor. Our MAS Publication will be available for purchase. 

Get your copy today!

The mission of the Wisconsin Art Education Association is to promote excellence in visual art and design education for all students by:
•     providing professional growth opportunities for visual art and design teachers.
•     showcasing student talents and abilities supporting art and design as academic core disciplines.
•     communicating with other art and design organizations.
•     offering lifelong learning opportunities acting on vital art and design education issues. 
WAEA COver Brochure 2016
MAS Vendor WAEA Brochure 2016
MAS WAEA Brochure 2016

Ad layout: Erika L Block of Creative Studios

Advertisement

Final Thoughts from Frank Juarez: Year 3 MAS Project

Standard
IMG_8722

Photo taken in North St. Paul, MN during our first day of road trippin’ in 2014.

My last road trip through the Midwest concluded on July 17, 2016 at approximately 6:00pm (CST). This one was one of the best road trips I’ve had with quite a few challenges during the 2,800+ mile journey. To date I have traveled to 18 cities/towns in 12 states driving 5,000+ miles in the span of a one-week increment during the month of July in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

When the idea of the Midwest Artist Studios Project came about inside my art classroom at Sheboygan North High School back in February of 2014 I never imagined where this would take me as an art educator and how it would change my personal/professional life. I knew that this journey was ambitious so I was fortunate to have worked with such an amazing and dedicated team; Erika Block (writer/editor), Pat Ryan (photographer), and Jonathan Fritsch (assistant). They were there from the beginning to the end no matter how crazy this idea was. This is an experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

The MAS Project aims to connect art education with Midwest contemporary artists through studio visits, curriculum development, and opportunities for educator outreach. 

I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the following artists and arts professionals I met since 2014. 

  • MAS artist, Josh Wilichowski, North St. Paul, MN
  • MAS artist, Vincenzio Donatelle, Minneapolis, MN
  • MAS artist, Jane Ryder, Oskaloosa, IA
  • MAS artist, Jamie Bates Slone, Kansas City, MO
  • MAS artist, Catie Miller, Kansas City, MO
  • MAS artist, Todd Mrozinski, Milwaukee, WI
  • MAS artist, Josie Osborne, Milwaukee, WI
  • MAS artist, Paula Schulze, Shorewood, WI
  • MAS artist, Suzanne Torres, Madison, WI
  • MAS artist, Mellissa Redman, Grand Rapids, MI
  • MAS artist, Kate Robertson, Ann Arbor, MI
  • MAS artist, Jenniffer Omaitz, Kent, OH
  • MAS artist, Ellie Honl, Bloomington, IN
  • MAS artist, Jessica Anderson, Jacksonville, IL
  • MAS artist, Jason Ackman, Rushville, IL
  • MAS artist, Krista Svalbonas, Chicago, IL
  • MAS artist, Emmy Lingscheit, Urbana, IL
  • MAS artist, Karri Dieken, Valley City, ND
  • MAS artist, Sharon Grey, Rapid City, SD
  • MAS artist, Jody Boyer, Omaha, NE
  • MAS artist, Lori Elliott-Bartle, Omaha, NE
  • MAS artist, Rachel Mindrup, Omaha, NE
  • MAS artist, Joe Bussell, Kansas City, KS
  • MAS artist, Larry Thomas, Kansas City, KS
  • Consuelo Cruz, Belger Arts Center, Kansas City, MO
  • Maria Vasquez Boyd, Artspeak Radio, Kansas City, MO
  • Marissa Starke, Kansas City Artists Coalition, Kansas City, MO
  • Beverly Ahern, H & R Block Artspace, Kansas City, MO

This project was supported by a grant from the Kohler Foundation, Inc (2014-2016).

 

This video is about MAS 2016 artists sharing their thoughts on being our featured artists. Running time: 10:55.

 

IMG_9393

L to R: Frank Juarez, Jonathan Fritsch, MAS artists Karri Dieken, and Ellie Honl in Omaha, NE (2016)

 

MAS 2016 Gallery

MAS artist, Rachel Mindrup (NE)
MAS artist, Jody Boyer (NE)
MAS artist, Karrie Dieken (ND)
MAS artist, Lori Elliott-Bartle (NE)
MAS founder/art educator Frank Juarez and MAS artist, Joe Bussell
MAS artist, Jody Boyer (NE)
MAS artist, Lori Elliott-Bartle (NE)
MAS artist, Karrie Dieken (ND)
MAS artist, Sharon Grey (SD)
MAS artist, Sharon Grey (SD)
MAS founder/art educator, Frank Juarez being interviewed by Artspeak Radio host, Maria Vasquez Boyd
MAS artist, Larry Thomas (KS)
MAS artist, Larry Thomas (KS)
MAS artist, Karrie Dieken (ND)
MAS artist, Sharon Grey (SD)
MAS artist, Joe Bussell (KS)
MAS artist, Rachel Mindrup (NE)
MAS artist, Joe Bussell (KS)

 

Click here to view our photos from the road. 

You can now follow us on instagram.com/midwestartiststudios or like us on facebook at facebook.com/midwestartiststudios.

Get your copy today of the 2014 & 2015 MAS Catalog/Workbook by clicking here. 

Day 4: View from the Road

Standard
Follow the Midwest Artist Studios on Instagram

Follow the Midwest Artist Studios on Instagram

We are about half way through our last road trip to North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. This has been such a great experience thus far. One of the things we enjoy about this project is that we have no idea what the artists’ studios look like. We sure have seen quite a range from a studio housed in garage, basement, art center, warehouse, university, attic, barn, former bookstore, house, and a one-bedroom studio apartment from the past two years. Regardless, these are magical places in which artists create their vision. 

“A studio can be anywhere” – Emma Anderson, freshman

Our first day started with a visit with MAS artist, Karri Dieken in her studio at Valley City State University to driving to Rapid City, SD where we visited MAS artist, Sharon Grey at her home studio the following day. In Rapid City we stumbled upon Art Alley, where the alley was covered in graffiti. We have never seen this in my life. It felt as if we were part of the artwork. Such a neat experience. Today we visited two studios in Omaha. In the early AM we drove to MAS artist, Jody Boyer‘s home studio and then to the studio of MAS artist, Lori Bartle Elliott at Hot Shops. 

During our 1800+ miles to our destinations we were able to take detours to see some amazing sights such as the Badlands in Interior, South Dakota to the Old Market Business District in Omaha, Nebraska. We still have three more studio visits with MAS artists, Rachel Mindrup, Joe Bussell, and Larry Thomas to do before we head back to Wisconsin. 

Listen to what MAS artist, Karri Dieken has to say about being part of the Midwest Artist Studios Project.

Here is a snapshot of what we experienced to date. 

Studio visit with MAS artist, Karri Dieken
On the road
Art Alley in Rapid City, SD
Studio visit with MAS artist, Sharon Grey.
Art Alley in Rapid City, SD
e_a_s_t_1 spray painting a mural at Art Alley
Studio visit with MAS artist, Jody Boyer
The Badlands in South Dakota
The Badlands in South Dakota
The Badlands in South Dakota
On our way to Omaha, Nebraska
Studio visit with MAS artist, Lori Bartle Elliott
Let me take a selfie with Jonathan Fritsch, Karri Dieken, Frank Juarez, and Pat Ryan
Welcome to South Dakota
The MAS krew: Jonathan, Pat, and Frank. Not pictured: Erika.
Sunset to Omaha, Nebraska
The Badlands in South Dakota
The Badlands in South Dakota

This project is supported by a grant from the Kohler Foundation, Inc. 

Introducing the Midwest Artist Studios 2015 featured artists

Standard

MAS2015_announcementThe Midwest Artist Studios Project is proud to announce its 2015 featured artists. They are Jason Ackman (IL), Jessica Anderson (IL), Ellie Honl (IN), Emmy Lingscheit (IL), Jenniffer Omaitz (OH), Mellissa Redman (MI), Kate Robertson (MI), and Krista Svalbonas. We were impressed with their perspective on art education today and the work that they are producing. The final interview took place via multiple Skype sessions. Although they were given time to make a decision whether or not they would be interested in participating in this project they all said, “Yes!”, immediately. 

The MAS Team will be traveling through the Midwest later this summer. 

We are looking forward to getting to know these artists better as the summer progresses as well as being invited into their studios. 

Some new additions to the MAS Project will be View from the Road by the MAS Team and a special studio visit with Emmy Lingscheit at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center Arts/Industry Program. 

Check out our featured artists’ work by clicking on their names listed above. 

This 2015 MAS Project is supported by a grant from the National Art Education Foundation, Kohler Foundation, Inc., and the Wisconsin Art Education Association. 

Libations Series by Todd Mrozinski: the MAS Team

Standard

On Friday, August 8th, the MAS Team stopped by MAS artist, Todd Mrozinski, to talk about the origins of his shadow paintings before heading to his Riverwest studio at the Nut Factory in Milwaukee. Prior to our visit I knew of Todd’s work focusing on shadows. I found it fascinating how something like a shadow that we create daily can easily be overlooked or under appreciated for its organic shape or exaggerated size. 

In his backyard he pulled out four canvasses and asked if we wanted to be a part of his “Libations” series. How could we say no? 

It was neat to witness how he positioned his canvas to obtain the perfect composition within the 16×20″ canvas. He was very patient as we sat with a drink in our hand (with the exception of our photographer, Pat Ryan). The entire sketching process only lasted a few minutes.

I could not resist posting these paintings for you to see.

The results are fabulous.

MAS TEAM

If you are in Milwaukee today (August 15th) stop by the Gallerie M inside the Intercontinental Hotel for Todd’s closing reception from 6pm-8pm. Gallerie M is located at 139 E Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

To read about Todd and his solo show, “Shadows” click here.

All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.

Written by Frank Juarez.

Jamie Bates Slone and Catie Miller – Kansas City, Missouri

Standard

Today’s studio visit is with Jamie Bates Slone and Catie Miller from Kansas City, Missouri. 

Jamie Bates Slone

jamiembates.com

jamiebatesslone_studio4The focus and significance of my work lies in the state of the human condition, the delicacy and fragility of the human construct in an emotional and physical sense. My experience is that of being part of an extended family that has endured a history of cancer and high mortality rate. As I have become more aware of my family’s history with illness through the examination of my memories, I have become wary of the future and empathetic of the past. I often find myself attributing to others my own unease in relation to cancer. This projection of my anxieties onto others acts as cancer does in metastasis, spreading from one location to another. My work is an examination and reflection of the memories, emotions, and anxieties caused by my family’s history with cancer with an emphasis on the relationship between human biology and human emotion.

About

Jamie Bates Slone is a ceramic artist known for her figurative work in clay paired with with projected imagery as surface as well as her experimental work in the casting of ceramic glazes. Her most recent work addresses the fragility of the human spirit in the midst of illness and loss in relation to her family’s history with cancer. Jamie earned her MFA with honors in Ceramics at the University of Kansas in Spring of 2012 where she received the Professional Development Assistance Award. She earned her BFA in Studio Art with and emphasis in Ceramics in 2008 at the University of Central Missouri. Jamie is currently a Foundation Resident Artist at Red Star Studios in Kansas City, Missouri and adjunct faculty in ceramics at Park University in Parkville, Missouri. Jamie has exhibited work in galleries throughout the U.S. including the Spencer Art Museum in Lawrence, Kansas, Jacob Lawrence Gallery in Seattle, Washington, First Street Gallery in New York City, New York, and the St. Petersburg Clay Company in St. Petersburg, Florida. She most recently won first place at the Clay3 National Juried Exhibition juried by Kurt Weiser.

Catie Miller

catiemiller.wix.com/ceramics

DSC_0107Loose, slightly humorous, and unsettling illustrations animate my ceramic artworks. I choose to draw portraits of people’s hidden lives, magnifying the people’s features and the private moments of their lives. Currently, I am exploring the obsessive collection of things—hoarding, and how this fixation interferes with the quality of daily life and relationships. Growing up, we had a lot of stuff; overflowing boxes of papers, small mountains of clothes, and a cat for every family member. Frequently moving throughout my life has forced me to evaluate my relationship with my possessions. I incorporate multiple layers of surface to create a crowded environment for the narrative. Much like hoarding challenges home as comfort, the addition of exaggerated ornamentation and form challenges the comfortable feeling of function, engaging the viewer to contemplate his or her relationship to objects.

About

Catie Miller graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) with a degree in Art Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a ceramic emphasis in May 2013. After graduation, Miller relocated to Kansas City, KS and accepted a long-term artist residency at Red Star Studios. With a variety of interests she has developed skills in an array of areas including printmaking and drawing. She has embraced many opportunities to work within the art community teaching and coordinating classes for youth and adults interested in the arts.

Miller has shown her work nationally and internationally as well as throughout the Midwest. She has been showcased in several local and national publications, including Ceramics Monthly’s “Undergraduate Showcase” and “Exposure.” Additionally, she was a member of the Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists group serving on the board as treasurer and was involved as an education intern with Walking, Waiting, Wandering, Words—a public art project developed through the Arts Partnership and the City of Fargo.

All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.