Creative Place

Are you tired of hearing about "place-making" yet? In the past several years, we've been inundated with this phrase that refers to the way people interact in public spaces. I didn't really get into all the hoo-ha until recently.

After earning an MFA in Graphic Design, and determined to re-generate my creative practice, I began a search for a studio. I imagined it would be easy. However, my specific requirements for a location within a 10-minute drive from home, and my desire to connect with other creative individuals made the search a challenge.

Last summer, I pedaled around my neighborhood and surfed Craig's list looking for the "right" space. I finally settled on the Ivy Arts Building as the best option. Luckily, I had a insider's recommendation, and after a bit of persistence/insistence, I signed a lease on October 1.

Ivy Arts Building, appropriately named.

Ivy Arts Building, appropriately named.

Again, I imagined it would be easy to get set up and start working. I gave myself a month to get moved in. I had forgotten how much stuff I had squirreled away in numerous spots! And then, thanks to the wheels-on-everything rule, moving things around until it feels right.

The first day working in the studio

The first day working in the studio

So, place-making is about engaging the public in spaces, right? And its my private studio I've been describing. This past weekend was the Seward Winter Frolic Art Crawl event. Since I have been out of production mode, and am now focusing on a body of work for exhibition, I decided to demonstrate my passion for screen-printing on fabric and get visitors to try it as well.

People loved it! Folks of all ages rolled up their sleeves and pulled prints on paper and cloth napkins. A colleague, stellar teacher, and friend, Alex Newby, came and helped. We initiated the new 16' print table, saw old friends and met new ones, among lots of smiles and laughter.

A Print-maker made!

A Print-maker made!

As I talked with visitors, who expected to see things to buy, it felt great to offer an interactive activity, and an opportunity to talk about classes and workshops as well as my new work. There was a lot of positive response to the DON'T SHOOT shirts, giving me the affirmation I needed to push that project forward into the public domain. Thanks to this event, I feel that my studio is now a creative place—for me as well as others!

AnnaCarlsonStudio

The Next Adventure Begins.

Next Life: Project 2, kids flag printing project

After giving Kristine Lendved 73 t-shirts to make into her fabulous hats,  that left 358 garments. I designed and created a back-to school project for the kids at St. John's Lutheran Church. The theme for Rally Day is "All Are Welcome, All Together". It celebrates the inclusivity of our community, and how we can accomplish much more learning (and fun) in a group environment.

all are welcome
Flags

Using the light-colored and white pant legs, I cut rectangular shapes, then stitched a strip of brighter colored fabric as a sleeve and tie to secure it to a bamboo stake. I used approximately 6 pairs of pants and pieces of 3 shirts for this, and kept all the scraps in a bag to be used in the future. Foam letters glued right side down to a piece of insulation made easy stamps. I printed a few so the kids would have an idea of what to do and packed up all the supplies needed. Two of the Sunday school teachers took over from there. They were placed on the Church lawn that Sunday, and after service, each child could pick their own flag to decorate.  The kids printed the flags that Sunday, and will put them out on the lawn next Sunday.