Keynote Speaker:
Susan Krueger-Barber
Susan Krueger-Barber is a performance and installation artist who occupies alter-egos to inflate, expand, and pop tension inherent in discussions of gender fluidity, urban planning, and the status quo. Krueger-Barber has produced films that have played in various festivals such as Slamdance and the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, given input on the redesign of Milwaukee Avenue during her art residency at Corner in Chicago, and been featured in Streetsblog and Strong Towns. Krueger-Barber also belongs to the cooperative Mother Art--Revisited, a collection of women re-embodying the social-political group Mother Art.
https://susankruegerbarber.wixsite.com/susankruegerbarber In addition the keynote will be awarding Best in Show |
Artist Workshops:
Sammi Kroll
My love of art started at a very young age. The passion and thrill to create is something I have possessed my entire life and I am so grateful I followed my dreams and became an Illustrator. My name is Sammi Kroll, and I am a freelance illustrator. I have a BFA from Northern Illinois University and a MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I show great attention to detail within all of my artwork, creating art that can delight both children and adults. I’ve done work illustrating Beer Labels for Ten Ninety Brewing CO, and have published work for Write Brain Books, an educational children’s book company. I am also established with Edsey Art Agency, creating published and commercial illustration for various clients. I am very excited to share the knowledge that I have gained over the years with all of you young, aspiring artists’. https://samanthakrollart.com/ Workshop: Super Hero Character Design This workshop will focus on the development of creating a superhero in terms of character design. Students will be brainstorming their character and learning the formula of character design and developing narrative. Each student will leave with a complete drawing of his or her very own superhero with a developed backstory. |
Bruce Niemi
I am a second-generation sculptor, studying under my father, Frank J. Niemi (an ornamental iron artist and self-taught sculptor). I learned how to weld at my father's studio in 1968, from the age of 12 until I was 18; my father was a major influence on my style and the craftsmanship that goes into a Niemi sculpture, as well as being taught to look at the world differently than most. I entered Northern Illinois University in 1974 and graduated in 1981 with a BFA in Sculpture. I have been welding and creating sculptures for 47 years, full-time for 29 years.
To date I have 54 permanent public sculptures across the United States and Europe. www.bruceniemi.com/ Workshop: Public Art and Sculpture Students in this workshop will be using foam core to create large scale sculpture |
Dennis Cook
Ellie Hazlett
Ellie Hazlett is a multimedia artist based in Chicago. She experiments with textures and materials to transform environments and perspectives. Most of her fine art examines and reflects sociopolitical issues regarding gender, privilege, and positionality. Ellie’s work has been shown in galleries and shows throughout the United States.
In 2018, she began Ellie Hazlett Studio upon multiple requests for custom wallpaper designs based off her art installation, “Untitled (A Period Piece)”. With her love of design, fine art, art history, and spatial transformation, Ellie Hazlett Studio has become a collaborative platform to work directly with clients to create unique art and spaces. Ellie received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2017 and her BA in Visual Art and Art History from Union College in 2009. http://www.elliehazlett.com/ Workshop: Messages on the wall: Using wallpaper as a form of communication This workshop will consider the fusion of digital art and installation art. How can we transform spaces and deliver a message from a 2D screen into a tangible medium? What does that look like? How can wallpaper be used to deliver a concept and confront viewers? |
John Kowalczyk
John Kowalczyk describes his art as "shrine-like, shiny, symmetrical, and seductive figurations that become maps of my mind combining myth, math, and magic." His work is comprised of mixed media paintings and larger than life installations that incorporate vintage fabrics, thrift store treasures, gift wrap, shelf liner, string, ribbon, re-purposed drawings, glitter and gold. Kowalczyk received his Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2010, completed a three year artist in resident program at Redline Milwaukee in 2014, and is currently the program director for visual arts non profit Artists Working in Education in Milwaukee, WI.
johnkowalczykart.com/ Workshop: Cut and Paste: Mixed Media Collage Students will create a mixed media painting on canvas based on the artists' unique method of juxtaposing pattern and design elements. |
Denise and Bill Lamm
We are a husband and wife team, who creates art in multiple medias including raku pottery. For over 18 years our art has contained text and images with the intent that it will act as a catalyst for thought, inquiry and conversation. We seek to use our art degrees and decades of experience to encourage and enable others to be more creative.
Workshop: Raku Firing
Students will glaze and fire using the Raku firing process outside in the courtyard
Workshop: Raku Firing
Students will glaze and fire using the Raku firing process outside in the courtyard
Angela Lovell
Angela Lovell was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois to a family of stage actresses and visual artists.
After attending School of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston (affiliated with Tufts University) in 2010 with a focus in printmaking & papermaking, she moved onto study Art Education at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
After graduating with an Art Education degree in 2014, she currently runs the Visual Arts department for Harand Camp of the Theater Arts. Angela lives in Chicago, Illinois with her chihuahua & boyfriend as a nanny and full time artist.
Workshop:
Different Strokes
Students will be learning an abstract approach to applying paint onto canvas with the focus of loose application and experimentation with movement/placement
After attending School of The Museum of Fine Arts Boston (affiliated with Tufts University) in 2010 with a focus in printmaking & papermaking, she moved onto study Art Education at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
After graduating with an Art Education degree in 2014, she currently runs the Visual Arts department for Harand Camp of the Theater Arts. Angela lives in Chicago, Illinois with her chihuahua & boyfriend as a nanny and full time artist.
Workshop:
Different Strokes
Students will be learning an abstract approach to applying paint onto canvas with the focus of loose application and experimentation with movement/placement