The Afterlife Exhibition and the ECU Metals Symposium

Ya'll know the routine here (in January) - I get super excited and tell you all about how amazing the ECU metals/jewelry symposium is and what's in store.  One of the big reasons I love it so much is I get to reconnect with my old friends and geek out over jewelry and metal objects. 

As you know I'm co-curating an exhibition with Barbara McFadyen to be held during the symposium at Art Avenue.  The Afterlife Exhibition showcases objects and artwork that display imagery of bones or using bones in a new and dynamic way.  The submissions were all beautiful and amazing and we curated pieces that work so well with each other. 

I'm really looking forward to meeting some of the artists at the reception/symposium.  So here's a bit of a sneak peak at some of the exquisite pieces in the show.  AND if you are in town, here is the FB event for you to RSVP.

The poster I designed last night, I love the simplicity of it.

Royal Mourning by Luci Jockel

Garrett Allen's super cool bracelet.

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The Afterlife exhibition at Art Avenue call for entries

The call for entries is finally here for the Afterlife Exhibition at Art Avenue which will be opening the weekend of the ECU Metals symposium.  As you know from my previous post about the symposium, I'm super excited to host and jury my second exhibition.  It's been much too long and I feel that professionally it is very edifying to run an exhibition.  You learn so much about how to handle work, correspond with artists and view incredible work.

With that said I present the poster for the CAF, it's a bit hard to read as I had to snapshot the pdf of the poster - but for now, all the details are there. 

If you're interested in submitting, send images of your work to eilisain@gmail.com with Afterlife entry in the subject line.  Submissions are $20 and can be made via paypal to ecusymposium@gmail.com.

And of course let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for reading and as always - stay crafty!
xoxo

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Monsters Under the Bed exhibition opening tonight

The title for this exhibition is just too perfect for the Halloween season.  I'm happy to announce the Bast one of a kind necklace was accepted into this show.

Granted cats aren't monsters under the bed however ghosts do linger and perhaps even ghosts of animals? The First Friday Artwalk is this evening in Uptown Greenville and Monsters Under the Bed will be exhibiting at Art Avenue, you can RSVP for the event here. 

As I've written previously, Bast is the patron deity of cats in Egyptian culture and this cat specifically was the remains of my husbands family cat.  I'm paying her homage by having her next life be as a necklace.  But really what I felt was appropriate for the exhibition is that skulls and skeletons are spooky, they're hollow and bereft of life.  

If you're out and about tonight, please do stop by Art Avenue to see this very well curated exhibition; I already got a peak at some of the pieces and some are super haunting and a bit scary!

Bast necklace, 2015. Photo by Tara Locklear

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The Contemplative Vessel exhibition

For so many reasons I really love having my studio space at Art Avenue, and one of them is seeing all the great exhibitions in our gallery space.

Longtime AA studio renter and supporter, ceramicist Hollie Lyko will have her first solo exhibition at Art Avenue on the First Friday Art Walk in Uptown Greenville on Friday, September 4th 5-8pm.

Her newer large vessels are awesome and the glazes she uses are layered and subtle.  I'm really looking forward to this exhibition, if you're in town I hope you make time to view the show.

As always thank you for reading and stay lovely!
Lisette
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What lies in the shadows or under the bed!

Upcoming exhibition opportunity for any of you looking to submit, it's only $10!

My friend Vincent Li, as well as awesome painter, will be jurying this show.  I love the theme and it'll be perfect for the upcoming fall season.  

I hope you'll apply!
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Everyday Earrings Exhibition

When it comes to jewelry, I've always had an affinity for rings and earrings.  There is something alluring and enigmatic with earrings.  They draw attention to the face and are more noticeable than say bracelets or necklaces.  I believe it's because we are looking at the face more so than any other part of the human body.

So thus, I was very happy to be accepted into the Everyday Earring Exhibition at EatMetal Art Jewelry Gallery in Hoboken, New Jersey.  I was even more pleased to see a very large image of the Asteria earrings on the poster for the exhibition! The roster of designers for the show are impressive and I'm flattered to be amongst such stellar jewelers.  I so wish I could attend the opening reception. 

The owner and jeweler, Elizabeth Tokoly runs EatMetal Art Jewelry Gallery and this will be the first exhibition in her new space.  It is quite encouraging and exciting to see other jewelers and owners advance the field of jewelry by creating these kinds of exhibitions. 

The Brigid cat claw earrings in 18kt gold plated sterling silver.

 As usual, thank you for reading.  I hope that if you live in the Hoboken area that you can attend the exhibition.

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Mapped: A Survey of Houston Contemporary Jewelry and Metalwork

I got notice of this new video posted by SNAG Television.

It's a fun video showing all the great pieces in this exhibition inspired by the landscape of Houston.



Hope you enjoy!
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Memento Exhibition

Equinox Gallery consistently has well curated and meaningful exhibitions and I love participating in them.  My favorite exhibition to participate is during the Dia de los Muertos events.  

Below is the postcard for the exhibition events happening in a week.  I'm honored to be among such talented artists and friends like Avery Lucas and Lorena Angulo.  

You can view more of the artists exhibiting at Equinox here. 

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Recap of closing exhibition for the Asteria Collection

The closing exhibition for the Asteria Collection was a great hit, we had so many friends come out for First Friday in Uptown Greenville. I'm so grateful for the community support in Greenville.  I've told several friends and colleagues how surprised I've been by how much people in Greenville do support the arts, but the key word is community and rallying individuals to understand that buying local feeds the local economy.

Here are some shots of the display and my favorite images from Amber of our photoshoot.
  

I love my new packaging!

One of my favorite shots by Amber Burnette.

And the shoot at Starlight Restaurant.

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Undercurrent Exhibition in London

It really is a wonderful thing to have friendships with other artists and makers abroad, I love hearing what they are doing and sharing it with you.

My friend Sophie Main is part of the Moving On Collective, contemporary jewellers working together in exhibitions and pieces that go beyond the general idea of adornment and wearable objects.

And psst, you may recall me writing about Moving On Collective back in February and the project they did then.  So inventive!

I apologize this is somewhat late in posting but the show will be up until October 11th.  If you're in London definitely see the show, I wish I could!

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Asteria Exhibition

It's almost here, about two weeks away from the release of my fall jewelry collection, Asteria inspired by the Greek Goddess of the night sky.

Along with the release I will be co-exhibiting my new collection with Amber Burnette of DeKay Photography on September 5th, 6-9pm at Starlight Restaurant in Uptown Greenville. 

This collection is special to me as it's merged two parts of my life; research and inspiration in mythologies and adornment.  Of course with all my collections I have done this however I've felt a very strong pull and urge to look above and beyond, to delve deeper into research and studies of the cosmos.  It's incredibly humbling to understand that one day we will all be dust and that really we are stardust.

Stay posted as I'll be releasing more tidbits of the collection as the date approaches!

 

Image by DeKay Photography.

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Womanhood Enshrined Exhibition at the Art Room

A week ago today was International Woman's Day and Nelle owner of the Art Room Gallery in Greenville, NC invited selected artists to participate in an exhibition to celebrate the day, Womanhood Enshrined.   

The pieces touched upon the many ways a woman defines herself in society as well as the struggle to maintain so many roles; daughter, mother, wife, professional, goddess etc.   Below are some of my favorite pieces from the exhibition.

I loved this piece, all the delicate and symbolic treasures of a woman

Always loved this artist work.

And my piece, Lady of Life and Death, 2011

And me with my bestie, Paula Chrismon.  

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Aequus Nox Exhibition

Many days this year, I've felt like I could pinch myself, such wonderful opportunities have come my way.

The Aequus Nox being one of them, Alejandro and his team at Equinox dream up the best shows - and I get to participate.  I'm honored to be among the talented artists in Aequus Nox exhibition.  

I was especially thrilled to participate as it gave me the opportunity to work with gold filled copper and my lapis lazuli stone that I've had for about 8 years.  I'd been saving it for just the right piece.  I wanted to use a golden metal (but not gold - SO expensive) to reflect the sun transitioning into the Spring equinox.   I'm very pleased with the outcome.  I hope you are too!

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I Do, Do I? Exhibition at the Art Room

On to the next ECU Symposium 2014 posts; I apologize it's taking me awhile to get these going.

There were seriously so many amazing exhibitions the weekend of the symposium, and I loved visiting every one of them.

The concept behind I Do, Do I? Exhibition was a discussion and pieces on marriage and what it means to each artist.  Some were celebratory and others sad yet hopeful.  And some artists viewed marriage as also a marriage of themselves to the act of not marrying.  The exhibition was curated by fellow Nicole Jacquard as part of her One Night Stand traveling series exhibition. Some of the participating artists included: Andrew Kuebeck, Tina Lazzarine, Joshua Craig, Daniel Dicaprio, Marlene True, Randy Long and more. 

The displays for the rings were quite sensuous and imitated a ring shape.  Each exhibition piece accompanied an explanation of their submission.  

PS - I apologize for the grainy photos, taken with my iphone. 

Andrew Kuebecks copper ring.  Loved it!

Marlene True and her tin and silver rings. 

A description of David's ring...which I didn't capture.

Leather rings.

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Renovations and new studio spaces at Art Avenue

 So it's been awhile since I've given you an update on Art Avenue.  Not sure if I even posted it, but Art Avenue did receive a city revitalization grant of $15,000 - woohoo! Which is what led us to move forward with renovating the back studio space; creating four new spaces for rent.  

First the floors were stripped of the very ugly tiles that have been there for ages, then we hired several guys (Jeremy Fineman and Andy Denton being two of them) to build wall space and floor boards to designate the new studio spaces.  We are beyond thrilled at how this will benefit the arts community in Greenville.  

And all of this will be semi-ready for the ECU Metals Symposium happening this coming weekend.  We've been literally busting our buns (from painting and squatting) to get this all done in time.   Some may not realize it but everyone that 'works' at Art Avenue is a volunteer; none of us are paid but we do it for the love of our art community and to make it bigger and better. 

Below are photos, taken by our resident photographer, Aileen Devlin of the all out paint/renovations we've had.   There are even more photos on the Art Avenue Facebook page. 

Sarah Setzco and Autumn paint the doors.

Andy bein' his usual silly self.

Our awesome construction/builder guys BJ and Mike.

Holly, a resident ceramicist came to help with her husband! We're so grateful!

There I am in the window on the other side of one of the new studio spaces.

And Jeremy Fineman bein' a clown! 

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50/50 Exhibition

Following my previous post, here is the poster for the exhibition I'm participating in that will also be part of the ECU Symposium.  I was a bit speechless when I saw the list of participating artists, how did I manage to get invited to this stellar exhibition????

When Tara first sent me the invitation, I didn't realize it was 50 artist invited...and that I'd be among such talented and veteran artists.  I really can not wait to see the pieces in the exhibition, but I"m also a bit nervous that my piece won't hold a candle to the other works displayed.  

Nonetheless I am beyond honored to participate and feel immense gratitude for the invitation.  

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Dia de Los Muertos exhibition

The post card for the exhibition I'm participating in, I'm in very good company! As you saw in an earlier post, my Maybe Sparrow necklace is part of the exhibition.  I wish I could be in San Antonio to see the exhibition in person.  

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Keep it in the Can

*Video taken by Lorena Angulo

Several months ago, Laura Wood of Equinox Gallery contacted a group of artists to submit pins for a special surprise for Bob Ebendorf, whom would be presenting an exhibition & workshop at Equinox, Keep it in the Can, just last weekend.  The above video is Bob's reaction to the surprise.

Bob is beloved by so many in the metals community, he has such a wonderful way of connecting with people and making you feel wonderful and curious about the world.

I was very honored to be able to give him a gift of gratitude.  Below is the pin I made, with the Resurrection beetle and an amethyst point.  I felt it was so appropriate to use the beetle in the pin as Bob has resurrected his career many times throughout his life, and I wanted it to signify that.

The pin I made for Bob Ebendorf.

There is a wonderful catalog that Equinox created with images of all the pins made for Bob, you can order one from Equinox by emailing them: equinoxexhibitions@gmail.com.  The catalogs are only $10! I am ordering one today and can't wait to see all the beautiful pins made in honor of Bob Ebendorf.

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Momentary Myth

So many exciting things are happening within the next several weeks, it's hard for me to contain myself! However, I can now give you some of the details.  

On May 11th, I will be exhibiting my jewelry alongside the photography of Sim Asher, we named it Momentary Myth and it will be at Art Avenue Contemporary Gallery & Studios, from 8-10pm.  It will be a month long exhibition showcasing my jewelry in the wilderness of eastern North Carolina.  The title came from the Beachhouse song, Myth.

I met with Sim almost two months ago to discuss the project of shooting my first lookbook (which will be presented at the exhibition) and Sim was immediately on board.  Sim's photography is so much like my jewelry, rough, wild and inspired by the wilderness surrounding Greenville.  

Not only did I get a fantastic photographer, but beautiful and fun models, a talented hair and makeup artist, as well as Spike Hoban to shoot a video!!!! Which I'll also release at the exhibition - but you will get the first look here about a week before the show.  Can you tell I'm bursting at the seams with excitement?!?

Here are just some of the beautiful shots Sim took. 

Ashleigh Bowden wearing the aragonite burst earrings.  Sim Asher photography all rights reserved.  

Ashleigh wearing the Deep Sea Necklace.  Sim Asher Photography all rights reserved.

 There are several more photos on my website, which you'll also notice some slight changes I made.  I hope you like it and I hope you can come to the exhibition.

Thank you as always for reading. xo

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Caffeine and Sawblades Exhibition

I can barely contain my excitement for the Annual ECU Metals Symposium: Making Marks!!!  Every year it gets better and better.  The demos are awesome, the speakers are super talented and innovative and I get to see all my favorite people from years past at ECU and meet new metalsmiths from other schools.  It's great fun.

The first night (Friday, January 18th) of the symposium is always a big party of exhibitions; and this year it'll be more awesome as the Greenville Jolly Trolly will take us from event to event.  

Art Avenue will be hosting the Caffeine and Sawblades Exhibition(Friday, January 18th 6-9pm) of the ECU Metals department; past and present, undergraduate students and graduate students.  I'll have my Alloy necklace in the show, very psyched about that.

And of course, Dirty LAM Studios will be open and hosting a special event of ring making and very special Cotter drinks!  I definitely don't want to miss that event.

 

For those of you in the Eastern NC area - you should come to these events, it's fun, FREE and filled with amazing artwork!

Thx for reading.

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