In Our Minds features work from artists inside and outside the Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts studio community. Over the course of this exhibition’s run, three In Our Minds artists—Mary Johnson, Don Porcella, and Mark Schoening—offered workshops for artists at Interact as an opportunity to connect in a studio environment.
In August, Mary Johnson presented her artwork and process, bringing materials similar to what she uses to create her unique style of fiber art. Her work is “a gathering of cast-off materials reassembled intuitively and crafted with their material history in mind.” Nightingale Rug, one of her artworks in In Our Minds, is made up of dog toys played with by her pets. “This collaboration results in new and transcendent life for materials that would otherwise be discarded.”
The artists’ Mary Jonson-inspired soft sculptures ranged from adorable to freaky—the creativity and openness of Mary’s practice was reflected in the ways each artist created something absolutely unique that came straight from their own imagination.
Wendy Johnson with her soft sculpture in progress.
Mary Johnson and Teazu Juah work on a soft sculpture together.
In October, Don Porcella brought his pipe cleaner sculpture practice to Interact artists. What resulted were whimsical weavings, animal sculptures, and wearable pieces. Don’s art isn’t meant to be taken too seriously: “By creating paintings, sculpture, drawings, and installations from lowbrow materials, I seek to transform and elevate the materials, while simultaneously presenting a unique world that is shamelessly awkward and unabashedly comical.”
The simplicity of a pipe cleaner means that anything is possible—the colors, shapes, and textures of each artist’s creation were gradually revealed as the workshop went on, and each piece seemed to take on the maker’s personality. As Don says, “the material invites us in for a deeper understanding and allows everyone to enjoy the transformation of a common art making material.”
A few of the artists gave Don a look at their portfolios, describing their processes and answering his questions. “As a collector of their work, it was fun to get an up close and personal introduction to who they are and how they make.”
Victor Van behind his pumpkin-headed pipe cleaner sculptures.
Juan Mendez with a pipe cleaner rose.
In December, Mark Schoening brought a visual game and idea generator to the artists at Interact. Exploring pattern, symmetry, movement, balance, variation, and collaborative drawing, the group used colorful, crisp shapes common in Mark’s practice to sync up and experience a unique creative experience.
Having a collective activity paired with prompts for individual creation made Mark’s workshop unique. His artworks tend to create a whole visual experience by assembling various coordinated but not identical parts–this activity with the Interact artists represented a similar process of creation.
Each exhibition at the M is an opportunity for connection and relationship-building. Bridges within the community are an essential step in the continuation of an already robust local arts environment. The M is proud to be part of such rich partnerships and to use its resources to make it easier to build these bridges!
Mark Schoening talks with Interact artist Briana Shelstad.
An Interact artists works with colorful materials.
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