Sarah Rodriguez // Future Heirlooms
ArtWorks is thrilled to announce our fifth, and final, artist in residency for 2023, led by Sarah Rodriguez. During the program, the group will meet twice a week to explore new techniques, create artwork based around our theme of future heirlooms, discuss the artwork, write artist statements, and engage with arts professionals. The group will focus on work that reflects artists as storytellers, considering concepts such as, what is an heirloom, and how does our identity and interpersonal relationships manifest in the significance of an object. Using a variety of techniques, artists will create pieces that present their unique perspectives as they work through the questions above. They will gain experience showcasing their finished pieces in an exhibition at the ArtWorks V² Gallery in the winter and have the opportunity to speak publicly about their work.
- Artists will learn basic sewing skills.
- Artists will consider the artist as storyteller and explore concepts such as identity, interpersonal relations, and nature.
- Artists will explore a variety of techniques and materials such as fabric, gel medium, collage, painting, drawing, encaustic.
- Artists will build confidence in conveying ideas and perspective through making and discussion.
- Artists will encourage community engagement through the create a learning station as part of the exhibition as well as participation in the Walnut Hill Community Day.
Artist Statement
My work is a series of tangible memories. It investigates human connectedness with space, nature, and interpersonal relationships. As a multimedia artist I chose materials that locate me in tradition and have an emphasis on tactility. In this series, Future Heirlooms, I consider the gesture of an object gifted as a talisman of encouragement, and love. For instance, a tablecloth may be an object of magic. Its use and decorative beauty are a reminder of the utility and rituals that surround it. The piece, Gifted Patterns references a tablecloth gifted to me by my mother-in-law upon entering a new home. It emphasizes the tradition of sewing and knowledge being passed on from woman to woman. The floral pattern represents beauty and nature while its geometry commits to organization and structure. The duality found within this symbol embodies the balancing act of life as we struggle, succeed, and fail. Through it all we might take solace in the times of reckless joy and the familiarity of this endless cycle.
Bio
Sarah Rodriguez (b.1992) is a multimedia artist and art educator from Marion, OH. She received her M.F.A in painting from Miami University (2017) and B.F.A in studio art from Wright State University (2014). Rodriguez is currently the Director of Education at Kennedy Heights Arts Center in Cincinnati, OH. Rodriguez was a William and Dorthy Yeck Fellow at the Dayton Art Institute (2014) and Three Arts Scholar (2015). She has completed residencies at Chautauqua Institute’s School of Art in Chautauqua, NY (2014), the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, OH (2019-2020), and was the featured artist for Bezoar. co (2021). Rodriguez will be the V2 Gallery artist in residence with ArtWorks in Cincinnati, OH (Fall 2023). Her most recent group exhibitions include: Flowers for Here, Third Space Gallery, Cincinnati, OH (2022), Emerge, The Art Garage (OH 2021), Out of the Darkness, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum (OH 2021). Solo exhibitions include: Hiestand Gallery, Miami University (2017), 1305 Gallery (2018), Wright State Alumni Gallery (2019), Miami University (2022). Her work investigates human connectedness with space, nature, and interpersonal relationships.
Program Dates
- September 8 -October 20, 2023
- Mondays 5-8:00 PM
- Fridays 5:30-8:30 PM
- First day of class will begin Friday, September 8, 2023, 5:30-8:30
Learn more about the program
Learn more about other upcoming exhibitions at the V2 Gallery
