Throughout the next year, five local artists will go through the NWTC Artisan and Business Center’s Artisan Residency Program.
This group — the seventh cohort to go through the program — will meet with Manager of Community Education and the Artisan and Business Center Carrie Dorski and various mentors throughout their as residents to learn all about what it takes to run an art-based business, including marketing, website design, branding and more, individualized to meet the needs of each resident while fostering a sense of community among them.
In addition to learning from mentors about how to take the next steps in growing their businesses, residents in the program will also benefit from the Artisan and Business Center’s resources throughout the year with free classes and unlimited studio access.
Read on to learn more about this year’s residents, their art and what they hope to learn in the program:
What type of art do you primarily do?
I am an Oneida artist who primarily creates Haudenosaunee raised beadwork. My work includes jewelry, wearable art and pieces that tell stories through floral designs, color and texture. I also share Oneida history and culture through workshops, presentations and zines. Teaching and storytelling are part of my artistic practice because I want people to understand the knowledge and meaning carried in the work.
What inspires you to create art?
I am inspired by Oneida stories, our relationships with the land and the people who keep our knowledge alive. Strawberries, flowers, food and family memories often find their way into my beadwork. I think about what earlier generations carried forward and what I want the next generation to know. Creating gives me a way to honor those connections while making work that reflects who I am as an artist today.
What inspired you to apply for the Artisan Residency Program?
I applied because I am ready to challenge myself and grow my beadwork into a stronger fine art and jewelry practice. Much of what I know began with self-study and I have continued learning through making, research and mentorship. The residency feels like an opportunity to give that growth dedicated time and attention. I want to experiment, strengthen my skills and see what becomes possible when I have the space to focus on my work as an artist.
What are you most looking forward to about the Artisan Residency Program? What do you hope to get out of your time as a resident?
I am most looking forward to being around other artists who are committed to their craft. I hope to learn from that creative community, try new approaches and push the quality and scale of my work. By the end of the residency, I would love to have a more developed body of raised beadwork and jewelry that feels distinctly mine. I also want to leave with more confidence in where I am taking my practice next.
What type of art do you primarily do?
I am a multimedia artist. I have had the privilege to study with many amazing teachers in different media. During my residency I plan on focusing on ceramics, fused glass and painting.
What inspires you to create art?
From an early age, I have been gifted with a very active and colorful imagination.
Plus I had the artistic ability to create art from what I saw in my mind’s eye. I am inspired by all that I see, especially the visual natural world that I live in. I like to create beauty. From finding this creative energy, I am rewarded with a sense of self satisfaction, self worth and a sense of belonging. For this I will continue on my chosen path as an artist and continue to find more rewards along the way.
What inspired you to apply for the Artisan Residency Program?
Throughout my artistic career I have found out that when I am in a community of like minded artists, I can flourish.
In this cohort of five, we will be joining our individual paths together for a while. This way we can work together, giving each other support and guidance. With two co-facilitators working with us individually and together, we can have professional guidance and support. I applied to this program to find the support I need at this particular time on my art journey.
What are you most looking forward to about the Artisan Residency Program? What do you hope to get out of your time as a resident?
I am looking forward to all that this program has to offer to me. I’m excited as this will be a learning experience. All the meetings will help me with the business end of being an artist. Plus I will learn about artist writing, online presence, exhibition planning, plus many subjects pertaining to a successful art career. I am really excited about the group exhibition at the conclusion of the program. The five of us will be able to put together a show featuring all of our most recent works. I am grateful that I was selected to be a part of the exciting adventure.
What type of art do you primarily do?
Using a variety of sewing machines, I transform repurposed materials into unique handcrafted bags that blend style, function and sustainability.
What inspires you to create art?
Every garment and fabric has a story or can spark a memory. Creating pieces from these items brings me joy and celebrates the artistry of reuse. It’s a way to honor the past while carrying the stories into the future.
What inspired you to apply for the Artisan Residency Program?
Seeing the artistic and professional growth of past residency participants has been very inspiring!
What are you most looking forward to about the Artisan Residency Program? What do you hope to get out of your time as a resident?
I’m just so excited about all of it! Learning from other business professionals, better understanding what it takes to run an artisan business, building relationships with other artisans. I’m looking forward to pushing myself creatively and hope to collaborate on pieces with other artists.
What type of art do you primarily do?
Primarily work in watercolor but also colored pencil, digital, and photography; Style would be considered expressive realism.
What inspires you to create art?
The beauty and intricacy of nature, originally sparked by observations and interactions with weather and wildlife and pets and garden plants when I lived for years on a hobby farm.
What inspired you to apply for the Artisan Residency Program?
I have been exploring art, particularly watercolor painting, for several years and my work has been getting juried into shows. That got me thinking about art sales and what the business of art involved. But I did not know where to turn. Fortunately, I met Carrie Dorski, manager of community education and the Artisan and Business Center at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, while working on a committee of a local arts group. Carrie was gracious enough to offer some business guidance. When I realized I needed to learn more, Carrie told me about the opportunities offered by the Artisan Residency Program.
What are you most looking forward to about the Artisan Residency Program? What do you hope to get out of your time as a resident?
Getting selected gives me the chance to not only learn from professionals like co-facilitators Carrie and artist and educator Salem Turchan but other experts they bring in for guidance on specific business matters such as websites. Even though I am still in the early stages of my Residency, I have become more aware of the strong creative community here and its impact on where we live. I hope to not only learn the needed business skills to operate in a professional manner but to explore other art forms and business models. In addition, I will get the extra benefit of sharing insights, growing pains and successes with my fellow residents.
What type of art do you primarily do?
Watercolor, acrylic, oil painting, glass fusing.
What inspires you to create art?
Being outside in nature inspires me to create art that reflects our human experiences with the natural world. I’ve always been fascinated by and love creating animal portraiture, landscapes, and anything that depicts that beauty. I want to further explore the metaphors and experiences with the natural world.
What inspired you to apply for the Artisan Residency Program?
I was really drawn to the Artisan Center’s commitment to supporting artists in both their craft and business building, while also creating a sense of community. The business and marketing side of having an art practice has always been something I’ve struggled with, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be supported in this way.
What are you most looking forward to about the Artisan Residency Program? What do you hope to get out of your time as a resident?
I’m looking forward to connecting with other artists, expanding my business and marketing skills and creating art and getting it out into the world!
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