Hello my fellow summer fellows.  It's been a pretty busy summer down here at 406 Fitzwater.  I am helping out Shelley Spector, who is actually really cool.  Her art involves structures composed out of found or weathered wood and textile.  To me it seems like creating an environment reminiscent of nature, yet its weird because these are all materials that did come from nature at one point, it was either a tree or a field of cotton.  We actually share a common love for found materials.  I enjoy them just because instead of creating an idea solely from scratch, you sort of have a starting point, or a visual brainstorm.  And it's sort of like recycling stuff that will just end up in a dump if nobody removes it from the street.  I would rather pick things up from the street than from the dump.  I'm sure there are some treasures out in the trash heaps, and I am not even directly shooting down the idea of going picking at a dump, I'll probably do it once or twice.  But it's way easier to just walk around the quarter with a peeled eye and a quick yet quiet demeanor, just to avoid making a scene.
        Ultimately, I am assisting Shelley in an exhibit at the Perelman Museum.  It's supposed to occur in a little less than a year from now.  Some of the things I have been doing to assist Shelley are: ironing blank t-shirts, cutting them up into long strips to be used as yarn, cleaning and sanding all of the found wood, taking wood apart or putting it together, drilling, and gluing.  Honestly it's pretty menial work but somebody's gotta do it, and I do it quite well.  While I do that, Shelley is typically sewing or weaving; i.e the actions that require the most finesse and artistic thought.  I enjoy it though, Shelley can always keep a conversation going and it's just been a really good month so far. PEACE

Dance into summer

Last night was the premier of Dance into Summer in Balboa Park. The summer intensive students performed repertory pieces by the PGK dance company and student composition pieces. I was given the opportunity to perform a piece by a choreographer from San Fransisco. The process was amazing! I can honestly say I grew during this process. Rosalia, the choreographer, was so fun to work with! The way she choreographs is very similar to some of the choreographers we've had at Uarts. I enjoyed performing and I'm ready to learn more! Here are a few pictures from the show last night. Enjoy!

This darn trash can...

It has been a few weeks that I have been working with Kay and I can't believe all the things I have learned and gotten to do. My first day I learned how to burn screens so that they can be printed and also how to reclaim them so they can be reused. Screen printing is a medium I had never incorporated into my own work before but just the other day I went and bought a small screen for myself. I also have been working diligently on Kay's trash can. I have about 6 hours into already and it is no where close to done. Hopefully I get it done before I see Kay next!

An Introduction

I'm Molly Egan, a Senior illustration major at UArts. This summer, I'm lucky enough to work with the talented Kay Healy (see her work above). Kay has a meticulous process involving screen printing and sewing objects. Kay's attention to detail and ornate drawings result in these outstanding, large scale works.

I will be assisting her while she completes an installation for The Free Library of Philadelphia's Central Branch. Kay's work, titled Lost and Found, will be displayed from October 2014 to October 2015. This installation will be the largest she has ever created, measuring around 60 ft by 20 ft.

This is only the beginning...

Let me start off by saying...I can't even feel my legs. Today was very intense! I was selected to perform in a piece by a choreographer from the Bay area. We started rehearsals for that yesterday. I have to add these rehearsals to my to do list on top of regular dance classes and the administration work. The work she is setting on us is very grounded and athletic. I think just about every part of my body has a bruise on it! I never thought about how demanding the professional world is. You rehearse for hours at a time for seven days a week for a eight minute show. Two days later you're back in the studio doing the same thing over again!! I definitely felt my body change. There was a point where my body said "I've had enough". My legs felt numb and I wanted to vomit! I pushed through and kept dancing. At that point I knew that I was strong enough to finish the day. The next day was a lot easier. It's only been three days and I have already learned so much!

The Summer has Begun!

Hello, my name is Dianna Smith and I am a rising junior Industrial Design Major at Uarts. I have been working with Machele Nettles who is the creative director and owner of Talk Design Studios and also has sold her work through online vendors such as Amazon, Urban Outfitters, and Fab.com. Working with Machele has been an awesome experience so far. We have been working on online marketing and branding, creating pricing plans for upcoming projects, and also creating plans to sell in local shops and craft shows around Philly. It has been great working with Machele and experiencing her process first hand. I have learned so much already and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the summer!

Hello Southern California!!

My name is MaShante Nicholson and I am a Junior dance major at Uarts. Im interning with Peter G. Kalivas and the PGK Dance Project. While I'm in San Diego, I will be working under Peter and his staff to learn how to run a dance company. I will also learn what it's like to be in a professional dance company. I'm excited to see what this internship has in store for me!

And Summer Begins

My name is Hailey Bryant and this summer I got paired up with artist Kay Healy. I just started and so far I have learned so much about the world of screen-printing and have added to my sewing skills. Working along side Kay this summer while she is finishing her two-year project for the Free Library in Philadelphia is bound to be a wonderful experience.

Hello,Planning

Hello, my name is Stephan Dobosh and I am currently interning with Michelle Kishita (BFA in Painting 1997 and MFA in Painting 2010). Since have started internship my in late MayvMichelle Kishita has began teaching me about what it means to be a good studio artist in the Twenty First Century and its not "Who has the best work". I believe the answer to this question is organization and planning . With out organization and planning you will inevitably fail.