"An examination of work exploring the body within the contemporary art jewelry field"
It's finally here! So incredibly excited to have my work included in this exhibition, among many artists whom I greatly admire. Feeling so very grateful.
"Body of Work" is an exhibition resulting from the partnership between Google Cultural Institute and Baltimore Jewelry Center. It was recently launched alongside close to 200 other exhibitions from organizations from around the world as part of a larger global fashion project dubbed "We Wear Culture." The exhibition will be available indefinitely (and it's breathtaking)! I love this field, and "Body of Work" is a beautiful representation of the issues art jewelers are investigating today, presented in a sleek accessible format.
See "Body of Work" HERE.
SNAG: Nexus, and A Little Vacation Time
I'm still reeling from my trip to New Orleans for SNAG: Nexus! In addition to serving as the Portfolio Review Coordinator and enjoying all the brilliant content and exhibitions, I treated myself to some serious vacation time. We went to the NOMA and enjoyed the lovely Sculpture Garden in City Park, checked out the WWII Museum, the Backstreet Cultural Museum, as well as the Contemporary Art Center (which had a pair of killer solo exhibitions from Cecilia Vicuña and Senga Nengudi). We walked through Canal, Magazine, Frenchman, and Bourbon Streets, enjoying as many galleries and markets that we could. AND WE GOT TO SEE THE MUSEUM OF DEATH, as well as a few graveyards - slightly morbid treats that were right up my alley. Also, I highly suggest any metalhead and/or Russian food afficianato check out Siberia & KUKHNYA, which quickly became our regular dive while there.
New Orleans is a gorgeous city - I felt that I was in a little slice of Europe right here in my own country, especially with the amount of beautiful churches and city squares. Oh, and the food was magnificent.
Below are a few snapshots of the city, the conference, jewelry, and more. You can see more on my Instagram @caterichardsart
Until next time, NOLA!
Graduate School
While I've known for a couple months now, the reality is just now hitting me as I start to pack my things - I'm heading to graduate school! I was accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Madison's MFA Program (with a fellowship to boot!), and I'm still in a state of jubilant shock. It's the badger life for me for the next three years!
COTN Residency + crafthaus: Blog and Exhibition
Here it is! A couple weeks ago this thread was launched through the contemporary craft forum crafthaus - it includes essays by Casey Sheppard and myself about our time in Joshua Tree, and includes a digital exhibition of the work I created. Check it out! Big thanks to Brigitte Martin for her support and helping to organize this forum!
CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Jewelry for Trees: Beaded Necklace
Cotton thread, found wood, and coyote gourds
LAC Summer Workshop: Alternative Materials in Jewelry
Super psyched! I'll be teaching a 2-day adult workshop at The Lawrence Arts Center this summer - Alternative Materials in Jewelry, July 8th and 9th. We're going to look at the work of contemporary jewelers and learn the possibilities of materials like wood, acrylic, silicone, and more. I'll be giving demos on integrating such materials into our pieces alongside established jewelry fabrication techniques. An opportunity for your imagination to run wild! All experience levels welcome!
For more information and enrollment, visit https://ada.lawrenceartscenter.org/browseclasses
Vanguard Arts Awards
I'm a little late on this one, given that we just finished with a three-exhibition turnaround at the arts center AND I was just whisked away to New Orleans for SNAG: Nexus, but I recently was asked to judge the 3D component of the Vanguard Arts Awards for USD 497 in Lawrence. I adore being part of scholarship-granting initiatives for youth, so of course I was ecstatic about the invitation and accepted.
The public schools of Lawrence produce some of the most considered youth art that I have ever come across - every year at the annual USD 497 Exhibition I am blown away by the quality and technical capabilities of these young artists. Painting, illustration, digital media, photography, ceramics, and (YES) even metals pieces by students from Kindergarten through 12th Grade are on display. Their aptitude is a testament to the students' skill, teachers, and the arts-supportive community of Lawrence. Going to school in rural Kansas, which had a meager art program and little chance of scholarship, I am so very proud to be part of a nexus of support for these kids.
I and printmaker Tressa Jones judged the qualifying work and awarded 9 total awards to exceptional high-school artists and their mentors. My HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the winners, which you can read about here.
Case of The Nomads Residency in Joshua Tree National Park
Last month I was selected as the inaugural resident artist for the new Case of The Nomads residency in Joshua Tree National Park, and I'm happy to report that I have just returned from southern California! After a week of living off the grid and making work responding to the harsh conditions I found myself in, it feels bittersweet to be home. I'm not going to say that I "found myself" in the desert, but I definitely emerged out of it a better artist than I was before. Certainly a much sandier artist than I was before, in any case.
There currently is a digital exhibition and write up featuring pieces I made in Joshua Tree in the works, with a tentative release date of within the month. It will be featured on crafthaus, and I couldn't be more excited. I will keep everyone updated when it's available for viewing!
Heidi Lynne Gluck + Cate Richards
The remarkable Heidi Lynne Gluck recently donned some of my work for a shoot, and the results are just beautiful. Below are a few select shots, expertly captured by photographer Dan Compton. Featured are the Foundation Necklace, Ore Collar, and copper Cairn Necklace.
Heidi is a fellow ArtistINC alumna and brilliant singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and is one-third of the band Some Girls. I encourage everyone to give her latest full-length solo album Pony Show a listen.
2017 Shooting Stars Scholarship Program
Yesterday I got the privilege to judge the 3D category (alongside the wonderful Ari Fish) for the Arts Council of Johnson County's annual Shooting Stars Scholarship Program. So much wonderful work was reviewed thanks to a group of extraordinarily talented highschoolers. It is my firm belief that if you invest in young artists now and the benefits will surely come later! In addition to the top two artists receiving scholarships, a few lucky students will have their work exhibited at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Gala celebrating the achievements of all the nominees will be Sunday, May 26th. I will be in New Orleans for SNAG, however I firmly congratulate the winners on their fantastic achievements.
For more information, check out the Shooting Stars page here.
BUSHCRAFT
Vermont was amazing (Trees! Nature! Leaves! Covered bridges!) and I surprised myself with the amount of work accomplished. Working during the day as an arts administrator and having only the nights and weekends remaining for my studio, the opportunity to have two weeks of uninterrupted work was an absolute privilege. The Vermont Studio Center is the largest international residency program in the world, and gave me the chance to network with so many other extraordinary artists. I gave a slide presentation, attended several visiting artist talks, participated in a group show, and even opted for studio visits with Derrick Adams and Katherine Bradford. All these wonderful things amounted to 2 weeks where I was able to create honestly and experiment freely.
I took this opportunity and newly acquired wilderness to start investigating new work about survivalism and Bushcraft cultish societies. I've started to consider the ways our bodies interact with the land, and the ways in which we arrange unchanged natural materials to suit our own needs. Injecting the feminine, the magical, the esoteric, into these traditionally masculine acts. Putting the BUSH and CRAFT into Bushcraft, as it were.
Survival skills were learned, ceremonial objects were manifested, and materials were cast and arranged. I have now a good platform to continue onward with. Below are some shots of my studio, and the beautiful region where I stayed. More images can be seen on my Instagram account @caterichardsart
Thank you Vermont Studio Center!
RING IT ON: Sulpture, Fashion, Function @ Lillstreet Gallery
One of my bronze Zufall Rings has made its way to Chicago to be featured in the "Ring It On: Sculpture, Fashion, Function" exhibition at Lillstreet. Excited to be a part of this show, as the Lillstreet Art Center is a Midwestern art powerhouse which offers residencies, studio rentals, classes, and exhibitions. Below is the complete list of participating artists:
Participating Artists:
Peter Antor
Lex Archibald (Pity Fab)
Cat Bowyer
JenHui Chang
Andrée Chérnier
Hillarey Dees
Katie Kameen
Kristi Kloss
Neil Kraus
Maura Lenahan
Honglin Liu
Ace McCasland
Kelly Novak
Yuka Okane Inoue
Louise Perrone
Courtney Powell
Nash Quinn
Cate Richards
Rebecca Rose
Rose Schlemmer
Amanda Shin
Jan Smith
Amanda Stumpf
Jason Thompson
Dylan Tuckman
Xinhao Yang
Kat Zhang
Juried by Pam Robinson and Nora McCarthy
"Ring It On" runs from November 4th through December 4th, and coincides with SOFA Chicago. If you are in the area, pop in to say hello!
BODY OF WORK
(I know this won't be launching until the end of the year, but I was just so excited I had to share!)
An image of my work "Peak I" (shot by Stephan Anderson-Story) was selected for inclusion in the digital exhibition "Body of Work" - the result of a partnership between Baltimore Jewelry Center and the Google Arts & Culture Institute, focusing on ways that art jewelry works in tandem with the human form in new and intriguing ways. Feeling totally electrified at the prospect of my work featured in this format which increases art jewelry visibility in an inclusive manner ⚡️
The exhibition will be part of a Global Fashion Launch in December 2016 and will remain online and be viewable through the Google Cultural Institute indefinitely! If you haven't explored the databases yet, check it out through the link below - gobs of exhibitions from world-class organizations at your fingertips!
Back to New England I Go . . .
I was recently offered a short term residency spot at Vermont Studio Center in October, which I accepted. I grew up in New England, though sadly it has been quite some time since I visited. Totally excited to be heading back (peak season too!) for some much-needed focus time.
Something Fleeting
I currently have 3 pieces on view at the University of Kansas Art & Design Gallery for Something Fleeting. Curated by Kyla Strid, Something Fleeting is a collection of current work created by select Lawrence Arts Center Faculty exploring the transitory through material, concept, and process. The show will be up through October 13th.
SNAG
It was little under a year ago that I applied to a call out from the Society of North American Goldsmiths for an intern. Almost one year later, I am absolutely grateful I did, and thrilled to be continuing work for the organization in different capacities. The Asheville conference was beautiful and I garnered some amazing friends and connections. Through SNAG I found a totally supportive network, filled with opportunities and amazing creative personalities, all united with a common vision. It is truly is a resource worth more than gold.
SNAG featured my work in last week's newsletter (the "Foundation Necklace") in a little feature about the "30 Under 30" award. Thanks guys!
PechaKucha for ArtistINC
It's late, as I was holding out for a video of the talk, but until then, here's an image of me presenting my final PechaKucha presentation for ArtistINC last spring at the Lawrence Arts Center.
ArtistINC is a fantastic program, and I urge all mid-career Midwestern artists with access to apply. More information can be found at http://www.artistinckc.com/
ACW: 30 Exceptional Crafts People Under 30
Much to my surprise, I opened my email to find out that I had been named one of American Craft Week's "30 Exceptional Craftspeople Under the Age of 30," and will be featured in the October 2016 issue of Modern Handmade (formerly known as The Crafts Report). My work, along with work by all the other winners - and I'm in good company - can be seen in the digital exhibition Rising Stars here. Quite humbled.
Anderson Ranch
It's in the middle of a blistering Summer here in LFK, so a good dose of mountain air was sorely needed. Last spring I was awarded a full fellowship to attend a workshop at Anderson Ranch this month - "Cast Away", with the awesome Norwood Viviano. Norwood had offered a similar class last summer, and while I desperately wanted to go, had missed the deadline for any sort of funding. Not this time around.
This technique-heavy course consisted of scanning and creating forms in Rhino 5, printing them, and then creating multi-part sand mold to cast the pieces in aluminum. I enjoyed the intermingling of ancient and contemporary technologies, and especially took advantage of integrating my own body, via scanning, as a platform to build off of.
Anderson Ranch is a magical place - a summer camp filled with artists with beautiful studios and food so good no one will believe you when you get home. I picked a great week to attend, as I got to see Arno Rafael Minikkeen (eeee!), Tom Sachs, and Jerry Saltz speak. Not to get all gushy, but my the end I had enhanced my skillset exponentially and made some great connections, as well as friends I will never forget.
Below is an assortment of photos. If you're interested in seeing more (I also visited Denver, Aspen, and Boulder to see friends) follow my instagram @caterichardsart
Article in the LJWorld
Can't complain about a little extra free press, yes? It's been a whirlwind the past couple months while I juggle applications, ArtistINC, an internship with SNAG, all the regular consignment/custom/repair orders, on top of continuing to experiment with new materials and ideas, and I've barely had a moment to contemplate it all. A rolling stone gathers no moss, and it can easily break doors down if rolling fast enough.
This article recently run by The Lawrence Journal World highlighted both my (and 3 of my wonderful coworkers - ladies represent!) achievements of the past couple months. The Lawrence Arts Center is an extraordinary place which fosters new growth not just in its students, but in its employees as well and I'm so thankful for how supportive they have been to me the past two years!
Landform Pin
Sterling, citrines, steel / 2016
One of my favorite textures to date.