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Come Explore Art with Me
Recent News
National Center on Birth Defects and Developemental Disabilities 10 Years of Service gala was celebrated with an interactive public art piece that I created. Guests personalized their plexiglass hands for the "All Hands" tree, now being displayed at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. To see slideshow from the event, click on the link.
In the summer of 2011, I went to Washington, DC to do a work at the Smithsonian and with the Public Arts Commission.
My Artistic Journey
I knew I was going to be an artist when I was five years old and living in a neighborhood were they were building lots of houses. A friend and I were playing in a mound of dirt where a house would soon be built. As we were digging in the dirt, we found clay and started to play in it. As I was making an object with the clay I announced to my friend, “When I grow up I am going to create clay sculptures and if you want, you can do it with me.”
I graduated with a masters of education in art and special education and a BFA in ceramics and women Studies, with honors from University of MN. My commissions include designing brochure cover for the dance department at Mankato State University, logos for musical groups, murals, paintings, wall hangings and large sculptural public art pieces throughout MN. I have been in numerous shows and galleries around the country and received art awards, fellowships and grants. At the age of 17 it was suspected that I had multiple sclerosis and later that year was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after going mute and being paralyzed on the right side of my body. With a new understanding of the preciousness of life, I recovered and even with the ever present struggles, I never let this disease stop me from achieving my goals. Although my health is unstable, my passion for art and the gifts it brings inspires me to share it with others. I continue to create art and give back to the community by teaching all ages with and without disabilities about the art world. I started my own business in 2000, Phoenix Designs, that creates community public art while uniting communities. I deeply believe that "art lives in possibilities" and focus on the positives rather than any perceived limitations.
I create community art in Minneapolis and the surrounding metro area. I have created public artworks with individuals of all ages and abilities that are displayed throughout Minnesota and Washington D.C, and my pieces include clay, glass, mosaics, concrete, paint, and sculpture. I also have a large body of work in acrylic paint, clay-work and glass.
