Spring Update and Events

It's been way too long since I shared news from Katie Ray Arts and Blue Barn Studio- can't believe its May already!

Most importantly, I'm excited to announce that Valley Creates is returning this season with events at three different locations. The first event is coming up this weekend, Saturday, May 21 in Munson! Come join us- Heather Beck Designs, 230am Studio, Lou's Upcycles and Blue Barn Studio- to learn and create your own projects. I'll be melting glass with you, and I guarantee that will be fun!  Register now by heading to ValleyCreates.com!  We hope to see you in Munson this weekend, or in Hadley in June, when I'll be hosting in my blue barn.   The Hadley event will also feature two new makers- Audrey Hyvonen of Big Top Quilts, and Amber Ladley of Happily Upcycled!

In other news,  I had a great time participating in the Take A Seat auction at UMASS Fine Arts Center in January. The idea of this exhibit was that each artist was invited to modify a chair in any way they choose; it was a fabulous exhibit showcasing the creativity and talent of Western MA artists, in support of a great cause.  I had a lot of fun making mine, allowing my old habits of nest building to integrate with new ideas in a very intuitive way. Here are a few images of my crazy creation before it left for it's new home.  

In January, I also shared new sculptural work at my MFA residency at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Conceptually, the installation was a sort of speculative biology lab in which alternate organs are being grown for possible use as transplants or body alterations.  The organs- made of steel, glass, latex, paper, and wax- exist within a connected structure that is almost an ecosystem; the forms are situated in relation to each other and the connective plastic tubing is their life support system.  I've been thinking about bioethics, embodiment and medical technology, and I'll continue exploring these themes as I complete my graduate exhibition for July.

Finally, Blue Barn Studio has an active etsy shop now in addition to the website. All my fine craft work can be found there, while katierayart.com will continue as my website for sculpture and installation work (though its in desperate need of updating!). Check out the Blue Barn Studio etsy shop, and use coupon code NEWSHOP for 20% off orders through June 30!

November News- HAVEN Art Exhibit, Welding Class and Studio Sale

Happy fall! Hope you are enjoying the last bits of brilliant color.  

I'm working hard preparing for my upcoming show, HAVEN, at Western New England University.  I'll be showing a variety of recent sculptural work, including a brand new 30 ft. wall piece made especially for this particular gallery's curved wall.  This piece explores a really different avenue for me- in form, material, and color- and I'm excited to see what you think! Here's a sneak peak of the work in progress.

What is HAVEN?

Donna Beck, Beryl Salinger-Schmitt, and Katie Richardson, working across very diverse mediums, have found a commonality at the heart of their work in themes that often express concepts of haven, however simple or complex, vulnerable or strong, solitary or communal. This exhibition explores the idea of HAVEN, with the suggestion that place-making and space-making are rooted in a primal instinct to provide shelter and sanctuary in order to nurture.

On Black Friday, I'm hosting a studio sale so that you can get great handmade gifts for the holidays and I can clean out my inventory!  From small glass treasures to large steel wall sculpture, everything will be on sale.  Stop by to enjoy a snack and a drink, check out my flameworking and welding studios, and shop for beautiful handmade gifts at your leisure.  

 

Oh yeah- did you notice the new logo?! It's been a long time coming. I'll still be using my name and website at katierayart.com for my sculpture and installation work, but Blue Barn Studios is the home of my fine craft work. There's a new website BlueBarnArtStudios.com and etsy store in the works. The website isn't completely finished yet, but you can take a look anyway. Thanks to Scout Cuomo for all her awesome work on the website. 

Want to make your own art and housewares out of steel? Join my upcoming welding class! If you're interested, but this doesn't work for your schedule, let me know and we can organize a future class at a time that works for you. 

As always, you can find my work in various local shops and galleries this season. Check my website listing here.  I'll also be featured in this year's Hilltown Christmas Place at Paul's Sugarhouse and Snowfarm Seconds Sale- both great venues in Williamsburg for shopping handmade.