the artery spring opening and reception for "local histories, the ground we walk on"

FEBRUARY 11th

THE ARTERY at 136 E. ROSEMARY ST.

LOCAL HISTORIES at 523 EAST FRANKLIN ST.

I am really excited to tell you that I have two openings coming up, woop woop! And they are on the same night several blocks apart, which makes it even better.

I was just asked to be the featured artist for The Student Artery's spring show. The Artery is the student run art gallery at 136 E. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill. I am working on a big screen printed installation for the wall just left of the entrance, plus some other smaller works scattered around. Since I have less than two weeks to complete this sucker, I will probably not be eating, sleeping or getting adequate exercise until after February 11th.

"Local Histories" is a an art exhibition at 523 East Franklin, formerly the Chapel Hill Museum. The exhibition is being curated by eling O'hara slavick and Dr. Carol McGee (for my unc art peeps) and represents the work of over 50 artists from across the United States. I think I am the only UNC undergrad in this one, which is pretty exciting.

Please, please come out February 11th and see the shows!

new work!

Response to Trafficking

My book making class just completed a project to increase awareness of human trafficking. Its kind of an intense subject, but its a great opportunity for artists to enact social change since the primary roadblock to stopping human trafficking is a lack of visibility. The aim of the project was to react to an issue of human trafficking. My book, Bind, is currently on display in the John and June Allcott Gallery.

Here are the pics:

December Print Sale at UNC

It's almost December, which means that we are gearing up for the 4th annual print sale at UNC. This is a sweet opportunity to buy some really cool artwork, especially the ceramics which are always unbelievable cool and reasonably priced. All of the proceeds to students and to maintaining the art department studios. These are the perks of going to the print sale:

1. Really awesome artwork is on display, including prints, artists books and ceramics
2. It supports the UNC Art Department
3. I will be there, so you can hangout with me
3&1/2. If I sell a lot of prints I can buy Christmas presents


Now that I've sold you and you are definitely coming, you need to know that it is at the Artery Student Art Gallery at 136 Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC, on Friday, December 10th, 9am to 10:00pm. This is the Artery';s new address; it is right next to the old Artery space, which has been turned into a hookah lounge, so don't get confused.

Book models...

What the heck is an artist's book? More than the fine art equivalent to scrapbooking

My artistic life the last few weeks has been dominated by books...I'm not talking about doing research or reading literature or even trashy novels, I'm talking about the kind that are sculptural, conceptual, reflexive and critical of their own form, AKA the ARTIST'S BOOK. What is an artist's book, you ask? Its a book that has intrinsic value outside of the information it contains, so it is in itself a work of art. Sounds like the nerdiest art form ever, right? Making books doesn't really have the heroic monumental action painting vibe, does it? But I'm really embracing this concept because it lends itself to printing and just by using a book form introduces a ton of notions about how we approach information. Plus, tiny books are so freakin cute!

Josh Hockensmith's Blog

I just found out Josh Hockensmith (aka my boss at the Art library) has a great blog about book artistdom: http://bluebluerbooks.blogspot.com