2023 was a year of big growth - I overcame many challenges, learned hard lessons, and still managed to enjoy many special moments worth celebrating. Allow me to share my Folded Poetry Top Ten Moments of 2023! |
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Beginning with the most recent, I completed the above suspended ceiling installation entitled ‘Luminary’ at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, NC during the beginning of December. This was the most difficult installation I've ever completed, and I'm incredibly proud of the way it turned out! In case you missed my December newsletter all about this installation, check it out by clicking the button below. |
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I'll be honored with an artist reception and be giving a short artist talk about the Luminary installation on Friday, January 26th from 5-7pm at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro! I'd truly love to see you there. |
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Early this year I diverted acoustic felt material from landfill, and created this acoustic screen concept. It opened the door for a conversation with an acoustic manufacturer around launching a Folded Poetry acoustic product line, for which I am currently in contract negotiations. |
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Here I am (above) on a trip to Dallas, Texas where I presented my acoustic art prototypes, visited the company's showroom and manufacturing facility, and met decision makers and fabricators in-person. |
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During March I taught a workshop at a local design camp for which I developed the designs for my DIY sculpture kit. I have since sold these paper art kits in my Etsy shop, and used the concept for large-scale art installation proposals! |
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In May the above pieces entitled “Epic” were installed in the client's family home in Cary. These two folded paper artworks are the largest framed pieces of art I've ever created, and they are beloved by both myself and the commissioning family! |
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To learn more about the design thinking behind these artworks, click the button below! |
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The above designs, Journey (left) and Snapshots (right), are fully fabricated and ready for installation in Denver, Colorado! These were my largest commissions to date, and will occupy the lobby and clubhouse spaces in a new co-working space. |
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The fabrication process for these pieces was very difficult, and I learned a lot. I will be traveling to Denver for the installation and am very excited to see these babies up on the wall. I cant wait to share the final photos with you! To read more about the design thinking behind these installations, click the buttons below. |
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This past May I was notified that my teammates and I (shown above) had been selected for funding for our public art proposal in partnership with Arise Collective to commemorate the stories of incarcerated persons. During 2024 our artist team, consisting of Carlos Gonzáles, David Wilson, and myself will be designing and fabricating a permanent installation depicting the crocheted Prison Awareness Quilt produced by people serving sentences at the NC Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW) during the pandemic lock-down. |
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This is a very important project, and I'm incredibly honored to have been selected for this work. Read more about this project by clicking the button below. |
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This past summer I completed my very first public art installation which stood in downtown Chapel Hill for one month as part of the inaugural Uproar Public Arts Festival. This piece helped build not only my resume, but also my portfolio – compliments of some incredible photography by Matt Ramey which you can check out by clicking the button below. |
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This past holiday season I created holiday ornaments from the laser-cut iridescent acrylic diamonds which comprised the Vital Cloud public art installation mentioned previously. With your help, I sold out of all 100 diamonds! |
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Didn't get a diamond? Don't worry, I plan to create ornaments again for the 2024 holiday season coming up this year! |
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That wraps up my Folded Poetry Top Ten Moments of 2023! |
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I created a video montage of my year (previewed below) and posted it to Instagram - check it out by clicking the button below. |
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Apart from Folded Poetry, my personal highlight of the year occurred in May when my life-partner Mikie and his two yorkshire terriers - Turbo and Nitro - moved in to my house in Durham, North Carolina. |
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I had never co-housed with a partner before, so this was big change for me. I was initially very anxious about the transition, but have since recognized this arrangement for what it is – a massive blessing on my life. |
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Mikie and I have been together for two years and love our little family of five! (Including my cat Elanore who initially struggled with the boys, but has since acclimated to her housemates quite well). |
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Fun Fact: I am a member of the City of Durham's Public Arts Committee! |
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In an effort promote a bright future for Durham's arts & cultural scene, you are invited to share your ideas this Saturday at a drop-in Durham Cultural Roadmap Community Input Session. |
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There will be free parking, free food, and kids activities, as well as Spanish and American Sign Language (ALS) interpretation services available. |
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Unfortunately I am unable to attend this event, but I truly hope you'll consider stopping by and sharing your ideas! |
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Thank you so much for following this wild journey of arts entrepreneurship and life in general. Until next time! |
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