Oh my goodness! Like many of my other internet endeavors, I’m not doing too well at keeping this one up. Since Phampersand Press last blogged (I promise to not refer to constantly refer to myself in the 3rd person), so much has happened! I’ve been selling my goodzzz, making more work, not updating this website, working my butt off as the exhibits preparator at Fleisher, preparing for 2 upcoming shows and… getting ready to move to Baltimore or DC to work for the Smithsonian!!!!!!
As some of you may know, I scored a great part time gig working for the Fleisher Art Memorial as the assistant to the Director of Exhibitions. I really love working there and have been learning so much. With our frequently rotating schedule of exhibitions, there is always lots of excitement going on. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with some very inspiring and talented artists from Philly. Most recently was our Challenge Exhibition, now finishing up its third installment. I could go on for pages and pages describing this thing, so I’ll let Roberta and Libby of Artblog tell you a bit about it.
I suppose this would be as good a segue as any to tell you about the newest professional chapter of my life. I’m moving soon! March, in fact! The process of finding a permanent, long-term, benefits-providing job has been long and stressful but I’m thrilled to announce that I will soon be a book conservator for the vast libraries at the Smithsonaian. If you care to hear a detailed play by play of the whole process, feel free to email. But I’ll just add that it came out of the blue, and I was adjusting quite well to life as an MFA grad, working multiple (though fulfilling) jobs, and appreciating any and all inspiration that came along the way. Admittedly, I am very sad to be leaving my close network of artist friends here in Philadelphia, but I won’t be that far, and I have a whole new world to explore. And if I keep on myself about updating this here blogging area, I’ll have even more to share.
This means that March will be my final Hurrah as a Philadelphia resident. (Who knows, I’d love to come back some day.) Thanks to Michelle Wilson and Robert Wuilfe and their commitment to Landmarks Contemporary Projects, I will have my very first solo exhibition opening the weekend before I plan to leave Philly! In conjunction with the Fibers Symposium coming here, two other fiber artists and I will be having our solo shows at the Powel House and the Physick House.
And then on THAT note, (aren’t these puddle-hops just funny?) I’ll be previewing a portion of my Powel House installation next week in Art Glut, at the My House Gallery (8th and Porter). Curated by Alex Gartelmann, this 40-50 person salon-style exhibition celebrates and questions the uh, bulge, of contemporary art in Philadelphia. Good on you, Alex, for organizing all of this. Art Glut opens on Friday, February 15th.
Also on Friday, February 15th, is the opening reception for our final installation of Challenge before the next round of jurying (I have been a busy bee). Come see new works by Judy Gelles, Erica Zoe Loustau, and Shelley Spector. Apologies for the administrative-slant of this update. Still no portfolio up, but I’m working on cleaning up things and adding to my contacts. More inspiration to come; just thought I ought to share news and all. Happy February, friends!