Sticks & Stones & Other Things Documentation

Anna Alexanian - Show Documentation (sort of)

Since our show isn't until the 27th, we don't really have an awful lot to document right now. However, we installed everything this past Sunday (the 22nd), and it was an absolute breeze.

Evita and Darius at the Black Lodge were extremely helpful, and the space is just awesome, so we were in and out in about two hours or so.

Not much else to say about that right now. We'll have a full breakdown (and more photos) after the reception, but for now here's just a few photos of us trying to set up (semi-successfully).

 

 

 

Cassidy_Teague_on_Smooozzzing
I had the privilege of conversing with on of my favorite artists, Rachel Fischer. We both happened to be attending the show at UNT on the square, until i realized she was apart of it. I knew Rachel had been an completing her graduate schooling in the arts program at UNT, but had no idea she was also teaching. Since i follow her on instagram, i keep up with her latest works and creative outlets. My favorite foundation she has built from the ground up is Brick Haus Collective. She has presented Denton with a great opportunity, whether its gallery space, pop up shows, workshops or many more. Rachel's work has been somewhat of an inspiration to look up to since we both have common qualities in our work. Before this show i had been in the Voertman's 55th annual show, where we both got in. I had known her work before this event but that show was the first time we met in person and i wish i could have chatted more. That is why i am so pleased to have met her once again and talk further about our art and the awesome things each other is doing. I think she is amaizing!

"Shmoozing" Exercise- Katherine Paschal

While I haven't really gotten the opportunity to rub paint-stained elbows with any of the art world's major players, I have had a few interactions at the exhibitions I've attended. Most of these interactions have been with other students and with everyday people who merely enjoy viewing artworks. However, one interaction sticks out in my mind. A few weeks ago, I visited the International Pop exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art. While perusing the items in the show, a voice near me exclaimed "Oh my god I love your shirt!" (On this occasion I was wearing a t-shirt with an image of Andy Warhol on it, because I fully embrace the cheesy factor.) I turn to see Andy Warhol himself standing in front of of me. Well, not exactly. I see a young man dressed as the artist, his ensemble complete with a striped turtleneck and silver wig. I smile and thank him for the compliment, observing that he must be quite a fan of Pop. He introduced himself as Steven, and we start discussing our shared interest in the Pop movement, trading fun-facts about how Japanese Pop often uses images of Astro Boy because he's essentially Japan's Mickey Mouse, or how Andy Warhol would wear his silver wig to a barber for a trim, only to return a couple of weeks later wearing a slightly-longer silver wig. Steven told me that he was a high school senior, which surprised me because I rarely see high school students so interested in art history. We talked for a few minutes then about his interest in studying art history and where he would like to go to college. At this point, my inner Orientation Leader came out and I gave him the hard-sell on UNT and the College of Visual Arts and Design. I told him to definitely consider the UNT Art History program, especially since CVAD offers a Pop Art course (one of my reasons for attending the exhibition). We exchanged contact information, and I told him to contact me if he had any more questions about UNT or the College of Visual Arts and Design.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to have been nominated by a Dallas gallery as one of eleven artist to be selected for the Rising Star Exhibition. This exhibition was held as a fundraiser by the OCSFA to help repair the Turner House in Oak Cliff. The show had two receptions that I attended; the first reception was a ticketed event, and the second was open to the public to come and see the work. 

During the first reception, I was able to meet with some of the other artists like, Bumin Kim a recent UNT Drawing and Painting Graduate, and Sheryl Anaya a member of 500x Gallery in Dallas. While talking with these artists, we were discussing how we all were chosen for this exhibition and our thoughts on the work. Sheryl Anaya mentioned how she was working with the Dallas Public Library to bring art into the space and asked me if I would like to participate in the future. I also noticed Sedrick Huckaby at this show and was able to introduce myself to him. I told him how much I enjoyed his work, and that I really liked his piece at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. I thanked him for coming out to the show, but conversation was cut short because one of the member of the OCSFA was telling me someone was interested in my work. I was able to talk with the woman who was interested in my paintings; her name was Whitney and she told me that she was an artist and that she got her studio degree from OU. She was interested in hearing about my painting process and upcoming events. We exchanged information and I headed home.

The second reception was open to the public so more people were in attendance. When I arrived at the Turner House, I went inside and noticed Stephen Lapthisophon. I introduced myself and spoke with him and his wife about the show. I asked how his work was coming along and he invited me over for a studio visit. It was so great to be invited to his studio because he is an artist I really admire. During this shows short timbering displayed, I was able to sell one of my pieces during the show. I was so happy to have had this opportunity to have been selected, and placed in a position where I could me artists that I look up to at my show.