On-Line and In-Person Workshops: Introduction to My Studio Processes

Betsy Alwin is a fiscal year 2022 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

I received a Creative Support for Individuals Grant this year to develop workshops that introduced my studio processes and ideas. These will serve as an important resource for me as a way to share my work with the greater community of Minnesota and as a record of my complex studio practice.

The first workshop was developed on April 21st, 2022 at Rosalux Gallery to coincide with my solo exhibition “Hanging in the Balance.” This workshop was an overview of the creation of the lace stoneware wrecking balls and a tour of the show. It can be viewed here:https://www.instagram.com/tv/CctMjQVpDFD/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

The second workshop was in conjunction with my solo exhibition at the Kiehle Gallery at St. Cloud State University this past November 17th, 2022. This workshop introduced the process of casting slabs and how I hand build forms in my work. It can be viewed here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/ClGnFTLJyv5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The third workshop in this series will introduce the audience to the ways that I work with rebar to create supports and the linear elements in my work. This is scheduled for January 23rd. 2023 and will take place in my studio and on Instagram Live

The fourth workshop will introduce finishing processes I have developed and the conceptual reasons for them. This includes flocking and some of the under-glazing / glazing processes for the ceramic work. This is scheduled for February 3rd, 2023 and will take place in my studio and on Instagram Live

The fifth and final workshop will show some of my complex wood-working processes. This workshop is scheduled for February 17th, 2023 and will take place in my studio and on Instagram Live

Workshops can be viewed live in-person and on Instagram Live. You may find recordings here.

Hanging in the Balance

After a tough couple of years, my studio work emerges with a new exhibition showing new sculpture and prints made during this tumultuous time. It was not easy. Much of this work comes out of a desire (or frustration) to visually articulate my thoughts. These thoughts vacillated between hope and dread; anger and capitulation; abjection and conviction. Though each day was fairly monotonous there were wild swings from one state to another and it was exhausting; debilitating.

I asked questions about what I was doing. This is normally a good thing and necessary throughout one’s career. It was just difficult to run into this wall when studio productivity would be a much needed salve. Nevertheless, these questions led me to rethink what kind of objects and experiences I wanted to create with my work. Sometimes the lack of answers left me with little inspiration to go on. I had to use this time to make some things and have time to sit with them; process them. it is not unusual for me to live with parts around me in the studio while i work through ideas. I need to reflect with these little “notes” around. They don’t make sense until I know them better. Slowly and surely, the parts accumulated and began to speak: A concrete structure, a wrecking ball form made from paper, a branch ensnared in medusa-like rebar, a man’s back in porcelain lace.

Hanging in the Balance is what they have been doing for me these past two years. They have witnessed my imbalance. They create the bridges between the wild swings and as a collection of forms, objects and materials they convey the complexities and contradictions that we have to hold.

New Year, New Work

Here’s to 2021 being a better year and a time for self reflection, health, community and healing.

Pandemic Parade !

Like everyone right now and for the past several months, I’ve been trying to cope with the realities and limitations of this pandemic. One story that has persisted since March is the toll that this pandemic is taking on the people in long-term care facilities. The loneliness and isolation suffered by those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is a major health concern.

I wondered what I could bring, creatively, to this problem. I remembered years ago when I attended the Vermont Studio Center and had the opportunity to see the world famous Bread and Puppet Theater on their home turf in Glover, VT. They were so inspiring to me. They put on elaborate skits, pageants and parades with the simplest of materials. Their stages, props, puppets and costumes were made from bed sheets, paper maché, cardboard and found objects. These simple materials came alive with the energy and creativity that they put in them with messages of community, civic engagement, hope and generosity. This is what inspires me to organize a safe, outdoor, socially distant parade for my local long-term care facility, Presbyterian Homes.

This parade will be held on December 20th at 1pm and is open to anyone who wants to participate and especially those who are relatives and friends of residents of the facility. We will stage the parade outdoors and move around the facility with home-made props, musical and noise instruments. I have a number of demonstrations folks can watch to create their props or costumes. Participants are not required to create anything for the parade in order to march; just showing up with a pot to bang on or some balloons or a sign is really enough. The important thing is to come out to support our community of seniors and assisted living residents in a fun and safe event.

New Year, New Ideas

As the year 2018 comes to a close, I am busy working out some of the ideas that have been underway since last Fall. This two-tiered cast is the latest and I’m pretty excited to apply it to some new forms coming up early in the new year.

Summer Studio Bonanza!

It's been a busy Summer so far and I've been working like crazy to get things done for my exhibition at Rosalux Gallery in NE Minneapolis.

I generally don't like to show pictures of my work in progress as so much can happen during the entire process; changes of mind, failures, or just needing more time to think about what I've made. Here's a "before and after" of my cast arm. See it in person at Rosalux in August 2018!

New Year and new work on deck

I've been dreaming up some new forms and new directions for slip-cast lace forms: More to come TBA!

Alwin 2017 Recipient of Minnesota State Arts Board Arts Initiative Grant

Betsy Alwin is a fiscal year 2017 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thank to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Betsy Alwin will create new public sculptures that visually explore the relationship between the concepts of strength and fragility.  Made from pigmented cast concrete forms and steel, the exterior of the cast forms will be made of lace pattern and be structurally supported by welded and painted rebar. The sculpture will be informed by architectural and infrastructural objects from the built environment.

Summer Exhibitions and news

I'm honored to be showing a brand new sculpture in this exhibition along side some great artists:

I'll also be showing my Rocket (A Way to Face the Sky) at the Landmark Center in St. Paul as part of their Summer Exhibition programming. 

http://www.landmarkcenter.org/PDF/2017SummerArtsRelease.pdf

Disarming a Violent Personal History

This Spring I am participating in Pillsbury United Communities' Art is My Weapon initiative to address violence. Artists in the Minneapolis area were given destroyed weapons to make art with for various exhibitions throughout the year. I was able to find both parts of this handgun and reassemble it temporarily. I have covered it with lace and I will make a mold of it to cast it in ceramic. 

I have a very personal connection to gun violence. My only sister killed herself with her husband's handgun. The details of her death are graphic. What led to her having access to the gun is somewhat unclear, but it was assumed that her husband left the unlocked gun case out for her to shoot herself after a quarrel. 

Since that horrible event, I have wanted to make a work with a handgun, specifically, make a work of its destruction. I was never able to move myself to purchase a gun for such a project. When the opportunity arose with Art is My Weapon, I thought, "this is the time." I didn't think it would be painful to visit this subject after so many years. I am glad I am doing this project because I realize there are so many feelings that I have not dealt with yet. 

Stay tuned for more pictures and info.

Winter of exhibitions

 My work is also featured in a Group Exhibition, Haus Warming, at De Chiara Projects in Stone Ridge, NY. As well as a group show, Transitio, at the University of Minnesota, Morris. 

New Work, New Territory

I just showed this work in the MCAD faculty show. The work incorporates wood and rebar and does so in a way that I'm really excited about: feels right and exciting!

New Work on display at the Marian Art Gallery, Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI:

New Experiences, New Ideas, New Forms

I was inspired a few years ago by the amazing work by Tunga, a Brazilian sculptor whose work incorporated mixed media. I had been working with the ceramic lace forms and these works were developing with the addition of painted rebar. His work reinforced my decision to move in a mixed media direction, working with materials that supported the conceptual ideas I wanted to convey. Since then, I have been incorporating new textures and materials and taking a more installation approach. 

The Mold Turned Out

This is the slip after being cast. The detail turned out beautifully; not bad for a plaster mold. The possibilities have opened up greatly!

Larger Molds for Larger Work

I'm really excited for this new slab mold! Preparing for a slip-casting mold this size requires some preparation. This mold will be a slab of plaster 36" x 24" x 1.5." For support as well as convenience, the rebar reinforcements serve as handles to flip the mold.

Upcoming Group Exhibition at LaMama Galleria, NYC

If you're in NYC this mid-October, come check this show out. Great work by great artists, I'm so honored to be included.

New Studio

My new studio in Minnesota! I'm still renovating and building it out (thanks Frank, for the lights!) but I'm super psyched to be working on new work and knowing that I won't be tossed out in the street after my lease ends!

I'll be showing a new work in a group show in New York this October; details coming soon!