Individual Artist Project Grant (INDIVIDUALS ONLY)

I believe that this project would benefit the community in the following ways: - Promote interaction in a public space. In a time when technology keeps us often apart, the opportunity for the community to interact is invaluable. - Build and engage community. A show, open to the public would take place at Hemlocks Leatherworks located in the Lincoln Park Craft district in Duluth and would bring members of the community together while also exposing hand weaving to a greater audience within the community. - Demonstrate the potential for complex hand weaving techniques to a community and audience that is most likely not familiar with this technique of weaving - Supporting fellow artist and makers in the community; Heather Mackenzie through her educational workshop, and Hemlocks Leatherworks by hosting a show of the final pieces. - Increase Business. The final show that will happen at Hemlock Leatherworks will benefit both myself and Hemlocks Leatherworks through the increase in public awareness which could in turn result in increase in sales, partnerships, or future opportunities. The opportunity to explore the multi cloth weaving techniques will allow me to achieve the following goals: - An in-depth study of multi-cloth weaving techniques with artist Heather Mackenzie. - Gain advanced technical knowledge regarding the drafting, design, and production of multi cloth weaving techniques. - The ability to create three-dimensional multi layered textiles on my own. - Explore sculptural elements in floor loom woven textiles. - Challenge my understanding of what types of textiles can be created on a floor loom. - Create three-dimensional structures that are both functional and sculptural. - Create a collection of experimental multi dimensional hand woven textiles. - Produce a body of work representing the complexity that multi cloth weaving can achieve. - Share these works with the greater community through a show at Hemlocks Leatherworks. My ability to excite this project can be seen through the following examples: - I have demonstrated commitment and follow through in regards to a previously received ARAC grant project (2012). - I have made several past commitments to attend art shows and art events that have proved successful (see resume for details). - I have demonstrated my commitment to furthering my career as a working artist through my record of establishing and maintaining a professional website, continuing to consistently promote myself and my work through social media and within the community through local events, and by participating as a vendor in art shows. - I am highly committed to furthering my weaving knowledge and expertise by studying with established and highly regarded artist and learning new skills and techniques. Measurements for success in my project can be seen below: - Attend an in-depth study of multi cloth weaving techniques with Heather Mackenzie Demonstrate my newly acquired knowledge and expertise through samples created at this workshop. - Create an original series of three-dimensional sculptural textiles. - Conclude the project with a thorough understanding of the double cloth weaving technique. - Successfully explore creative and experimental based ideas in hand weaving with a collection of woven works to represent my understanding of the various double cloth techniques. - Co-host an art event, open to the public featuring my multi dimensional hand woven pieces.