Artwalk

THIRD FRIDAY APR 21: Amy Wetsch 'AMALGAMATION' installation + Earth Day Glass Globes Demo

Liberty Arts invites you to our biggest THIRD FRIDAY Artwalk of 2023 yet on Friday, April 21st, at 918 Pearl Street, Durham, NC 27707

ARTIST BIO:
Amy is a multidisciplinary artist and educator originating from Louisville, Kentucky. Her practice spans from creating installations, paintings, drawings, mixed media sculptures, to publicly engaged works. Amy received her BFA from Western Kentucky University and her MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Amy has exhibited her work in various galleries and museums, including The Kentucky Museum, The National Academy of Sciences, and in galleries throughout NYC. She has attended multiple artist residencies such as SÍM in Iceland, Superbude in Austria, and Works on Water in NYC. She has been selected for various honors and fellowships such as a Johns Hopkins Extreme Arts Fellow, a National Academy of Sciences Fellow, and a More Art Engaging Artist Fellow. Amy is also a lead artist on the newly selected NASA mission, Dragonfly.

AMALGAMATION

AMY WETSCH
INSTALLATION + MIXED MEDIA

“Within the natural world are many biological and geological processes that, although studied, are still shrouded in mystery. In my work, I explore the grandeur, interconnectivity, and complexities of the physical world, particularly the things in which we cannot see with our limited field of vision. My interest in these subjects began with my fascination surrounding disorders of the human body and my experience with being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder as a child. Since then, my fascination with science has evolved from the human body and health to contemplating the health of our living Earth and the complex issues faced today. I am drawn to examining the resiliency of various life forms and how they flourish in the most unthinkable environments, such as inside volcanic rock and deep-sea vents, and how their environments are ever changing. My practice is rooted in collaboration as I work with scientists from various fields to better understand the groundbreaking research and technologies they employ to comprehend the world around us. Through my colorful and curious works, I aim to unite people together through the wonder of the human imagination, combined with the cutting-edge scientific progression propelling us forward. I believe the more people can see, learn, and care for all the various life forms on Earth, the more we can advocate for and protect our environment.”
—Amy Wetsch


LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!

Make Your Own "Earth-Day" Glass Globe

Working with an experienced glass blower, students will learn "hands-on" how to apply different colors to molten glass for an "earth-like" appearance, and how to shape the semi-molten glass in the form of a globe. After the globe is formed, it will be placed in our annealer to cool slowly down to room temperature and will be ready for pickup at the studio starting the following Monday, April 24 from 5–8 PM.


THIRD FRIDAY MAR 17: Make Glass Eggs and Flowers + Jessica Almy-Pagán

Liberty Arts invites you to join our March 17th THIRD FRIDAY Artwalk at 918 Pearl Street, Durham, NC 27707

Make YOUR OWN GLASS EGGS & FLOWERS

Leigh Hayes + Elijah Leed
GLASS ARTISTS/Instructors

Working with an experienced glass blower, the student will learn "hands-on" how to apply different colors to molten glass, how to shape the semi-molten form and finally to inflate the glass into an Easter egg shape. NOTE: There is less "hands-on" with making flowers because they are not "blown" like an egg. But the student will lay out the flower's color pattern.

Each student in this class will help make either two Easter eggs, two flowers or one of each. After the eggs and flowers are formed, they will be placed in our annealer where they will be slowly cooled down to room temperature and will be ready for pickup starting the following Monday, March 20.


:: SALT MARK ::

JESSICA ALMY-PAGÁN
INSTALLATION + PHOTO + VIDEO

Provisional Liberty Artist Jessica Almy-Pagán presents excerpts of her ongoing body of work :: salt mark :: open studio ::  offering installation, photo, and video glimpses of geographical and intergenerational wayfinding.

Join Jessica for a demo + hands-on workshop adjoining the immersive installation on Friday, March 17.


THIRD FRIDAY FEB 17 :: Salt Mark :: + Textile Studio Grand Reopening + Glass Demo

Liberty Arts invites you to witness immersive new works on February 17th for THIRD FRIDAY Artwalk at 918 Pearl Street, Durham, NC 27707

:: SALT MARK ::

Jessica Almy-PagÁn
Installation + Photo + Video

Provisional Liberty Artist Jessica Almy-Pagán presents excerpts of her ongoing body of work :: salt mark :: open studio ::  offering installation, photo, and video glimpses of geographical and intergenerational wayfinding. Opening Friday, February 17 in the Little Gallery.


TEXTILE STUDIO GRAND REOPENING!

Mini-Tapestry Make-and-take with artist KELLY WALSH

Learn the basics of weaving while you make a tiny tapestry! This class is intended to be a fun and fast taste of weaving, and is suitable for anyone interested in any kind of fiber arts. You'll learn how to warp a miniature loom, and how to weave in shapes and textures on your tiny piece. These miniature textiles are perfect to brighten up an office nook, or attach them to a greeting card for a unique textured way to say hello to someone. The class is drop-in style, and won’t take the whole three hours, but you can make as many mini weavings as you want during the time available.


GLASSBLOWING DEMO IN THE HOT SHOP

Swing through the GLASS STUDIO to WITNESS THIS ELEMENTAL ART FORM IN ACTION.

THIRD FRIDAY JAN 20: Glass Hearts, Iron Heroes, Emotional Signage

We at Liberty Arts are thrilled to open the doors for 2023’s inaugural THIRD FRIDAY Artwalk at 918 Pearl Street, Durham, NC 27707

MAKE YOUR OWN GLASS HEARTS

Working with an experienced glass blower, the student will learn "hands-on" how to apply different colors to molten glass, how to shape the semi-molten form and finally to inflate the glass into your heart shape.

Each student MUST be able to show proof of full Covid vaccination.

With a live demonstration to start the class, each student will be shown the steps they will perform in creating a personalized heart in time for Valentines day. Your finished heart will be "boxed" where they will be cooled down and ready for pickup starting the following Monday and Tuesday after 5pm.

Eye protection will be provided as needed. Also, students should not wear loose-fitting clothes nor clothes made of synthetic fabric (these melt easily).

Age Limit- 14 years old, minimum.


IRON HEROES GALLERY SHOW

Iron Heroes is a casting program designed by Liberty artist Tripp Jarvis to engage veterans and youth from traditionally underserved communities. The program provides access tocreative outlets and expression through hands-on metal casting.

Based around the theme of “The Hero’s Journey,” from the work of Joseph Campbell, the goal of this programis to help students who are new to sculpture explore the creative territory of their imaginations and to call forth the hero that lies hidden in their daily lives.

Over the course of 8 weeks, these artists made a journey that began with a simple drawing. Their path continued as they translated their drawings into3D clay sculptures and created moldsof those pieces. The journey culminated with our annual iron pour where theartists poured fiery molten iron into their molds, creating the pieces you see in this exhibit.

We are thrilled to celebrate their art and courageous expression.

We also want to thank the donors without whose support programs like Iron Heroes would not be possible.


BRITT CLARK: EMOTIONAL SIGNAGE

Emotional Signage is a body of work which focuses on the interior and exterior nature of living in a feminine body. These forms draw a direct connection from the aesthetics of buildings to the physical body, exploring the duality of masculinity and femininity within the self.

The forms consist of brickwork patterning, simulating the exterior portions of homes alluding to outward bodily presentation, while the interior portions of the work feature text, symbols, and aesthetics replicating the interior of the home as reflection of the inner mind.

Brittany Clark was born and raised in Conway, South Carolina. Always interested in the arts, she has obtained a dual degree Bachelor of the Arts in Art Studio and Art History from Coastal Carolina University. She has also studied 3D modeling in Raleigh, NC where she currently lives. Her inspiration comes from her southern heritage and how it conflicts with her own ideals and understanding of the world.

Her work focuses on ideas of reconciliation and finding rest within internal and external struggles, dealing with past and present, mental illness, ancestry, and tradition. Such subjects lend themselves to the permanence of metal craft in which she specializes, focusing on fabrication, metalsmithing, blacksmithing, and casting. Clark’s work has been featured in print such as Miscellany and Archarios magazines and in exhibitions such as Palmetto Hands, the 34th annual Women’s Work Exhibition, and the National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices. Clark currently works as a metal fabricator at Cricket Forge in Durham, North Carolina.