Individual Artist Project Grant

As I explore the experimentation process of creating a fabric art journal, I will create and share a series of 3 videos. These videos will encourage people to create their own fabric journals using recycled paper, old clothing, and found natural elements. I will demonstrate a variety of hand stitching techniques, as well as providing prompts to experiment with natural materials, such as creating rubbings of leaves and bark for texture and experimenting with plants to dye or stain fabrics. Participants will learn new ways of creating surface designs utilizing natural and recycled materials. They will be encouraged to continue their journal process as a way of experimenting and gathering inspiration. Sharing my own experimental journal process through these videos, I will engage a larger audience that will be interested to see my finished series of fabric collages. The videos and finished series will also be available for viewing on my website, so that new people can participate at any time. Participants who create their own art journals will learn that being creative is accessible to everyone, and that gathering inspiration is an on going process. My previous project with Safe Haven Women's Shelter involved teaching print design and collaborating on a design for their masks. Sharing my process and the social aspects of creating something together was a positive experience I'd like to repeat, this time through online communication.I will gauge my success in this project by the number and quality of finished fabric collages which will be displayed at a local gallery. I will gather feedback from conversations at the opening event and through a guest book for comments throughout the month. By sharing art journal videos, I am hopeful that people will be encouraged to tap into their own creativity. Participants will be encouraged to share photos of their work, which will inspire more people to join in. This engagement will also inspire people to come see the finished my finished collage series. The best way to drive people's interest in art is to help them make it. I will post an on-line survey to gather feedback from art journal participants at the end of the project. Overall, by engaging with the public throughout my process, my goal is to increase awareness about my art and creativity in general. I anticipate an increase number of website views, studio visitors, and social media followers by at least 10% each. I have successfully completed 3 artist grants: ARAC Artist Career Development Grant 2019 - Exploration in search of inspiration to create a series of 4-6 illustrations to be translated into screen prints on handcrafted canvas bags. Document the design development process to culminate in an open studio in the fall of 2019. ARAC Emergency Working Artist Grant 2020 - Create a series of 6 graphic designs to be printed on handcrafted fabric masks made with a pattern developed by an ED doctor in Duluth. Adapt pattern to include a filter pocket and metal nose clip. MSAB Creative Support for Individuals 2021 - Provided a guided art experience for 25 participants to create design ideas for a custom "Safe Haven Women's Shelter" print for fabric masks. The remaining 50 residents and staff selected which design to produce. I translated their chosen design into a finished print on fabric, which was then sewn into masks for everyone at the shelter, including a few extras for new arrivals. 1. Create a fabric art journal which will provide opportunities for small scale experiments with a variety of collage and surface embellishment techniques. 2. Develop 3 videos to share the fabric art journal process with the public, posted monthly June - August. The goal is to engage with 50 on-line followers initially, building momentum by sharing our projects with each other. The videos will also be archived on my website for future participants. 3. Create 5-6 print illustrations inspired by the importance of biodiversity in our local ecosystem. 4. Transform prints into 5-6 fabric collages, utilizing inspiration from the art journal experiments. 5. Display the completed print and fabric collages at a local gallery, with expected attendance of 75 people for a free opening event and an additional 125 people visiting the gallery throughout the month.