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.

Beneath the Surface

It's March already and I've been out in the cold welding, melting and constructing a new piece for my show Beneath the Surface at APE Gallery that opens next week.  There's still a lot to do, but it is coming along and getting exciting!  The show opens next Friday, March 7, but the reception will be on March 14 from 5-8pm during Northampton Arts Night Out.

Carolyn, Scout and I have been meeting regularly to help each other think through our different pieces. Each of us is doing something very new within our practice, and though we make very different work, the similarities of layering, encapsulating and submerging are a common thread. 

Here are a few glimpses of my process and what's to come...

 

I hope you'll come see the show.  I think you'll enjoy it.

On another note, I'm hosting a beadmaking marathon day at the Yellow House in Palmer on April 5. This is an all day class where you can immerse yourself in melting glass!

Also, save the date for Local ARTery : Artisan Demonstration Day on May 3rd.  

Artisans of Western Mass is creating a large scale educational and fun environment to connect you to the handmade products you buy. Spend the day with us and learn how artisans create and produce their work. Come see over 30 artists and crafters with demonstrations on weaving, pottery, fused glass, metal working, silver clay, fused plastic, quilting, tie dye, upcycling, photography, and many more! AWM is taking over the Yankee Candle Fitness Center on Rte. 5 & 10 in South Deerfield and filling it with all kinds of interactively creative activities including make and take stations, demonstrations, and hands on learning. Admission is Free, all ages welcome. http://www.artisansofwmass.com/local-artery/

Winter Warmtimes this Friday and Spark! Art Share 2013

If you are looking for great ideas for those last minute hard to figure out people, I might just have you covered.   This Friday, I'll be joining a few friends in Northampton for a small gathering and art show.   See the cute cat flyer below for details. 

Second choice, which is really the coolest gift I can think of, is a Spark! Art Share for 2013. If you give someone an art share, they'll get beautiful handmade things throughout the next year- it keeps on giving. If your recipient lives locally, they can pick-up their treats in Amherst at our quarterly Art Parties,  but you can also have a share shipped anywhere in the US! And this year we are offering one for just $250.  If you order a share as a gift, we'll email you a gift certificate that you can print and have ready for next week. Voila!

If you are looking for something in particular, but aren't sure who makes it, head to the Artisans of WMASS website to find local makers and shops that carry our work. Remember to support all the wonderful artists that are your neighbors.

Wishing you peace and happiness this holiday season, and looking forward to what the new year brings.