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!

June Events

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful Memorial Day Weekend. I'm off on a hiking adventure tomorrow, but wanted to make sure to get the word out about two June events before I go.

On June 7, you can come to my blue barn in Hadley and work with 4 local artisans to create your own projects. Try your hand at glass beadmaking, papermaking, upcycled fused plastics, or hammered metal jewelry. Each workshop is 45 minutes and you can choose to try 2 or all 4.  Pre-register at valleycreates.com.  Also, if you know any youth ages 8-12 who might be interested, we have a special morning session just for them, subsidized by a generous grant from the Hadley Cultural Council. This event is also sponsored by Artisans of WMASS.

Secondly, on Saturday, June 13 during Cultural Chaos in downtown Easthampton, I have a three person show opening entitled HAVEN opening at Nash Gallery with artists Donna Beck and Beryl Salinger-Schmitt.  This should be a sweet show in a great location, right in the middle of the street festival. 

The “HAVEN” exhibit will include paintings, sculpture and mixed media works that suggest place-making and space-making as a primal instinct. Many species construct and interweave materials for the purpose of refuge and transformation. For example, this can be seen in nature in the form of a nest, a cocoon or a shell. The three participating artists will interpret and recreate man-made “havens” through manipulations of their specialized mediums.

Hope to see you soon at one of these events!

Spring News

Ok, it's not quite spring, but I'm feeling hopeful.  It's been hard to be motivated to get in the studio in the frigid weather, but I think things are looking up. I have some exciting classes and workshops coming up, and some recent sculptural work to share.

On March 28th, Heather Beck Designs, 230am Studio, Lou's Upcycles and I will be hosting Easthampton Creates, an evening of learning and making with local artists.  Make paper, glass beads, a fused plastic wallet or a stamped metal pendant. This will be a great evening out, and to top off the creative fun, you get to taste a local brew from our friends at Abandoned Building Brewery when you're done creating.  Space is limited and we need folks to pre-register, so head over to the website valleycreates.com right now to grab your spot.

I've chosen dates for my spring welding classes.  I'll be running a Welding for Women Workshop on May 16-17, and Welding for Everyone 4 Thursday evenings in June.  

I'll also be teaching glass beadmaking at the Yellow House Community Learning Center in Palmer on March 21, and May 9. 

Donna Beck, Beryl Salinger Schmidt and I have started planning for our show, HAVEN, at Nash Gallery in June.  The opening will happen on June 13th at the same time as Easthampton's big festival, Cultural Chaos.  It should be a great show and a fun event.

Finally, here are a few snapshots of my first semester sculpture installed at the winter residency in Vermont College of Fine Arts. 

September Festivals

I've been busy preparing for this weekend's Mattoon Street Arts Festival. This is one of my favorite festivals that kicks off the fall season.  Come visit me this weekend in Springfield from 10-5, mention this blog post and get 10% off your purchase!  I'll have a bunch of new steel planters and candlabras, as well as the usual suspects- cute bud vases, beautiful pendants, mesmerizing marble stoppers and fresh veggie earrings.

Next weekend, Kitchen Garden will put on the Annual Chilifest, which is being held this year at Mike's Maze in Sunderland.  Artisans of WMASS is hosting the artisan shop, which will feature a spread of local handmade pottery, glass and steel, upcycled wares, handmade paper, journals and ornaments and more from Malea's Pottery, Sew What Gallery, Katie Ray Arts, JillyMama's, Lou's Upcycles, Moon and Sundries, and 230am Studio.  I'll also be doing a glass beadmaking demo on Sunday at 1:00 pm if you'd like to see some glass melting!
 

 Mug by Malea Rhodes     

             

Wallet by Lou's Upcycles

                                                                                         

I'll also be making beads all afternoon on Saturday September 20 at Oh So Pretties in Wilbraham. This will be part of the "Taste of Wilbraham Shops" event and I'm sure there will be some good sales at the shop.  Oh So Pretties caries tons of great local artwork by some of my favorite Artisans of WMASS members. Upcoming Classes:  Glass Beadmaking hosted by Hadley Parks and Rec on Sundays, September 21 and 28, 1-5pm and Intro to Glass Beadmaking at 413 Glassworks in Cheshire. on Saturday September 27.