Alisa Looney

Local Sculptors Attend 29th International Sculpture Center Conference

The Multifaceted Maker: An incredible adventure into the work and minds of both International and local sculptors!

Alisa Looney

Although I have been an ISC Member for many years, I had the privilege of attending my first ISC Conference this October, in Portland, Oregon! As a local sculptor, it was incredible to meet so many sculptors from all over the country and the world. There were many memorable moments, and I will attempt to recount a few here for those of you who could not attend.

First, I would like to thank ISC Director Johannah Hutchison, Conference & Events Manager, Jennifer Galarza, and Conference & Events Coordinator Alissa Maldonado for bringing the conference to Portland! Johanna mentioned in her address that Julian Voss-Andreae suggested (four years in a row) that she bring the conference to Portland. We appreciate you so much, Julian! Many of our PNWS members met with Johanna and Jennifer prior to their decision, and all our efforts paid off! Thank you all!

Local Sculptors Offer Studio Tours

My conference experience began with the Michael Curry Design – Studio tour. What an incredible creator, space, company, and process! No photos were allowed, but our gracious host Michael Curry took us on a tour of his complex processes and studios and explained how he and his team developed new technologies over many years to make lightweight carbon fiber costumes with thin walls that many dancers and performers depend on to move freely. With over 50 employed artists and engineers, the magic that happens here is truly awe-inspiring. Michael shared his golden minute rule: when coming up with an idea… close your eyes and look inside, follow your instincts, follow your gut, and explore these ideas with your sketchbook, then do the research later (if needed). Love that!!

Next up: Leland Iron Works Tour: Upon arriving, Lee Kelly and his daughter Kassandra graciously led us to Lee’s studio, which was originally converted from a dairy barn in 1963 and shared with his late wife, Bonnie Bronson, also an accomplished artist. It was truly an honor to sit down with Lee by his crackling wood stove and visit for a few minutes. After appreciating him for his brilliant work, I was pleased to find out that he was born in Riggins, Idaho, and with his kind voice, he spoke of how he rode on horseback to pick up firefighters along the Salmon River in his youth. We then followed a meandering path through many of his stunning monumental works as well as his many maquettes strategically placed throughout the grounds. One path led to a gallery where Randall Davis shared more of Lee’s small sculptures, as well as Bonnie’s wall constructions and enamel works. It was truly a highlight to see the work of these brilliant artists and their fertile ground. It was a dream come true for me!

Local Sculptors Showcase Their Talent Alongside Students

Later that evening we gathered at PNCA for the opening reception of the Little Sculpture Exhibit of work by conference attendees. Many local sculptors and PNWS members were exhibiting works that fit within the 8 x 8 x 8-inch requirement, including Sue Quast, Chas Martin, Julian Voss-Andreae, Alisa Looney, Jessica Stroia, and Dan Good. This event was open to the public so many of our local supporters came to see the exhibit as well. Following this event, we celebrated over dinner with new and old friends!

Panel Discussions Covered A Range of Topics

The Panels began on Sunday, with the first one on Public Art: Looking at its impact and benefits in livable cities. Panelist Ming Cheung shared her research on how Artistic Integrity and Human Interaction merge to create memorable experiences. Ronnie Van Hout shared his monumental work, which was created by scanning a 3-D image of his son walking, and some of the reactions to it, positive and negative.

The next panel: Voyage to the virtual – Sculpture in the post-digital age. I was fascinated by the speaker Michael Rees who said “We can do something special with our art, extend ourselves beyond time and space, inhabit something so thoroughly with this work.” He talked about how 3D software expresses math best, the universal language of nature. I found his philosophy interesting, how the spirit of art engages and speculates reality. Sophie Kahn also shared her work and process and talked about how she liked the bits of data or “errors” in a 3D scan, and used them as part of her final work, finding these patterns pleasing. Jose Luis Garcia shared his multi-faceted process which originated from an architectural background. He found it intriguing to ask: where is floor, wall, ceiling, and shared samples of moving these around to create sculptural forms. Jose writes software frameworks that help people expand their possibilities using these creative tools. He has used robots to do the heavy lifting, and then adds back in the grace of the human hand. Jose also shared a video: The Digital Touch / Robotic Marble sculpting, short documentary – bit.ly/the-digital-touch

Local Sculptors Exhibit Works at ArtReach Gallery in Downtown Portland

I took a short walk across the park blocks to ArtReach Gallery and our very own exhibit, Making Space! Many thanks to Chas and his team for putting this show together with Curator, Sheldon Hurst. It was a stunning exhibit with so many gorgeous works by local sculptors. I felt that combining artists from the two sculpture groups PNWS and the Stone Sculptors Assn. created an excellent result that captured the creativity, craftsmanship, and integrity of sculptors in the Northwest. Many conference attendees whom I had invited reflected back to me that they attended the show and enjoyed it very much. They felt the quality of work was superb, so well done everyone!!!!

PNCA Facility Hosts Faculty Gallery Exhibit

That evening, the reception at the PNCA Glass building was another delight. Formerly the home of Uroboros Glass, this building has been converted into a maker space of an artist’s dream. Professor David Eckard, PNCA Head of Sculpture gave us a wonderful tour of this space. He mentioned it has been in a state of transformation for this past year. It is incredible, with studios available for a variety of sculptural mediums: wood, clay, and metal. The facility recently added enameling kilns and additional tools from OCAC, giving students and teachers from OCAC a place to finish the programs they started there. The gallery at the entrance exhibited works by BFA Faculty. The center of the building was off-limits, where the privacy of graduate studios was respected.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the panel on Monday. It was titled: Contemporary Public Art Sculpture in China, with presenters Devin Lawrence Field, Shen Lieye, and Dong Shubing. I heard from others who raved about it. I was happy to meet our guests from China and receive a book of Shen Lieye’s incredible work from Devin and Alissa later that day.

Next Panel: Deconstructing the Gender Binary: Gender and LGBTQ+ Equality within 3-D Making Environments, which highlighted the struggles and breakthroughs within the realm of gender. One thing I took away was this: It is respectful to say “I identify as (she, he, they, etc)” to help others feel comfortable in saying how they identify. This breaks the ice and allows everyone to feel respected.

Local Sculptors Attend ART SLAM Event

A friend encouraged me to sign up for an ART SLAM and I took the challenge. We had the option of talking for 10 minutes or talking for 5 and asking for critique for the remainder of the time. It was an inspiring experience to both share my work and listen to other artists present theirs. It thrilled me that two of the local sculptors that presented were also PNWS members: Michele Collier and Micajah Bienvenu. Each gave wonderful presentations.

The Panel: Indigenous Strategies for Multimedia Intercultural Collaborations was also inspiring and was entralled by the work of Lyonel Grant.

One quote that I found inspiring, “Where there’s artistic excellence, there’s human dignity” –Maori saying.

PNWS Members Host ISC Event

Next up: Party at Eichinger Sculpture Studio! Many of our PNWS Members attended as well as ISC conference attendees. Marty’s studio and gallery are in The Geode, where conference attendees and the local community could relax and connect. Touring this amazing space and seeing the work of four local artists was great fun. Thank you, Marty, your party was a blast!

Panel Discusses Large Scale Art Installations

On Tuesday, I attended a Panel: Large scale Art Sculpture, Community, Learning, Teaching, and the Life of Public Art. The presenters were Selinda Martinez, Peter Hudson, Alireza Lahijanian, Margaret Long, Crimson Rose, and Matthew Schultz. Each of them is affiliated with Creators of Burning Man and Public Sculptures. This presentation was incredible. The artists, sculptors, and engineers presented how they work together to create monumental fire sculptures. The group also shared how each creation is moved and reassembled on the playa of the Black Rock Desert. They then described how they reconfigure them for other public presentations. Each presented their work with a contagious enthusiasm for the moment of surprise when they see a sculpture. I was giddy with excitement after seeing how they work together and pushed the boundaries of sculpture and fire. Of course, I had to ask the question that was in my heart, “What if we switch fire for seeds?” Peter answered with “I think you should make a proposal!” I may take that challenge. Later that day, I enjoyed having lunch with several of the presenters, along with Julian. I found this group of artists to exude pure joy!

PSU Students Awarded For Achievement

Finally, I finished the conference by attending the closing reception and the Student Achievement Awards Exhibition at PSU Littman Gallery. It was inspiring to see ISC give these students a head start on their careers by recognizing them for their work. We wrapped up the evening with a walk to the MFA Open Studio Event. We were inspired by the ingenuity of students pushing boundaries in many forms of art. Truly grateful!

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, contact us today!

Sculptors Share Secrets At International Sculpture Day 2019

International Sculpture Day - May 2019 - 1

International Sculpture Day - May 2019 - 2

We’ve yet to have an International Sculpture Day celebration that was not a great success. This one was slimmed down from previous years in that it was to be merely a juried exhibition with a few artists demonstrating techniques. A budget was set for food and the demonstrators paid a small fee to participate. Sculptors Jesse Pierson and Dave Gonzo hosted at their studio on Franklin in SE Portland. Of course, this all sounds simple, but there are a tremendous number of tasks to complete to pull such a thing off. Firstly, you need postcards and publicity, find somebody to pour beer, and the food needs to be bought and set up. Also, where does one find a computer beefy enough to run Oculus Rift? At some point, Gonzo had to lower the giant spider down from the ceiling and build a fire in it. Suffice it to say there was plenty of thinking and heavy lifting involved to make the event a success.

International Sculpture Day Is Mainly A Social Event

I was a demonstrator and went with the intent of making a decent number of little creatures. I made a small lump. It was green and misshapen. That’s as far as I got. Afterward, I spent the rest of the time talking with one person after another. What a bunch of interesting people and what a remarkable evening.

Oculus Rift is a piece of the 3D system with a stereo headset primarily aimed at the gaming industry. One is immersed in a 3-dimensional environment usually with ample weaponry. Hand controls enable one to manipulate and/or operate virtual objects. Your virtual hands or tools mimic the movements of your real arms and hands. Of course, all this means it’s possible to make things as well. This resulted in one person after another sitting over in the corner with googles and hand controls making insane gestures. Alisa Looney, Chas Martin, Andy Kennedy, Joe Cartino, and I were the demonstrators. All were constantly engaged. Thanks, Dave and Jesse, and all who helped out. That was a really nice event.

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, and con t act us today!

“I am Leading this from What I Need as a Sculptor.”

Patrick Gracewood interviews sculptor, Alisa Looney

PG. I’m curious about artists who combine different disciplines. We share a love of drawing, dance, and sculpture. I’d like to talk about process. When we are focused on “Making ART” it is easy to ignore our body’s needs. How do you care for your spirit’s needs as a sculptor? Ignoring that aspect is problematic if we want to create art that communicates spirit instead of just manufacturing a skillful commodity.

AL. Many of the stretches and exercises that I do are essential for my body to function and to do physical work. Movement is key to keep my body mind and spirit all working properly. If I don’t move, I am literally in pain, my mind is not happy and my spirit feels stuck and I can’t draw well. Also, the computer is the hardest on my neck so I tend to avoid working on it.

How A Sculptor Translates Movement Into Form

I am still very drawn to depicting movement, yet not as much directly to the image of the dancer(s) as I was before. I have always been held captive by the energy of the body, and how it is the same energy as the river, the flow of life, the power of it, a strength of the body, the balance, the completeness of one human expression. My consciousness is expanded to the broader recognition of the web of life. How I can best depict our deep connection to nature and to each other?

One recent piece was inspired by the vision of humans breathing with the trees. We support the trees with our out-breath, and they support us with their oxygen. This was largely inspired by Treesister’s meditations which include gentle movement, and focuses on the deep connection to nature and trees. I am exploring how we co-exist with nature, how we can support the healing of our world and each other. This is primary to me now.

Currently I’m making an enamel on steel spirit mask. It depicts the rich layer of soil and fungus deep in the roots of the trees. Trees and fungus support each other with life giving properties. The roots take the shape of a human face, and the piece is titled: Rooting Tree Spirit.

I have had many, many years of movement – explored through dance and then brought that energy into drawings and paintings. Over the years that has developed what I call Sketch in Motion. I enjoy teaching this process.

Dance of a Sculptor

As a dancer, the movement I am longing to do is largely outside, along the river, under the trees. I have decided to start a movement class near our home and studio called: “Move with ease in the trees.” It is my hope that this brings movers to me that also feel this calling to move and to connect with the trees and nature. I will keep it gentle and improvisational, for any age, and will provide art supplies to allow whatever self-expression or inspiration to come out. Afterward, we warm ourselves up indoors and gradually take it outdoors as the movers feel comfortable to do so. I am leading this from what I need as an artist.

PG. Thank you, Alisa. I love the idea of leading from what you need. An artist doesn’t just make a product but is someone who integrates the different interests of life as a creative process.

Watch Alisa’s process video to see her combination of creative processes. https://alisalooney.com/about/process-video/

To learn more about Patrick’s work, Pacific Northwest Sculptors, and contact us today!

Newport Visual Arts Center Opening Draws Crowd

Friday, Sept. 8, was a big day in Newport for members of Pacific Northwest Sculptors. That afternoon, the Newport Visual Arts Center, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, welcomed the pubic to “Variety of Visions: Work from the Pacific Northwest Sculptors.”

Sculptures in a wide range of media by 27 PNWS members were on display at the NVAC, a project of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.

PNWS President George Heath, whose schedule kept him from attending the opening, said of the show, “It looks amazing and very professional. We can be proud.” He volunteered high praise for PNWS Shows Coordinator Dave Gonzo. “What I did witness was what it took for Dave and his crew just to make the arrangements. The negotiations were challenging and there were some last-minute issues that seemed impossible to overcome, but Dave just took it head-on and made it happen,” said Heath. “It was a marvel to see.”

Newport Community Supports Visual Arts

Gonzo praised those who helped him make the show a reality. “With much hard work from all of the show committee and other members, it couldn’t have been done without them,” he said. “I would like to thank the show committee for stepping up in making the exhibition a reality. Chas Martin for the show title and taking submissions, Joe Cartino for creating the spreadsheets, Jessica Stroia and Sue Quast for handling the marketing, promotion, and social media along with Alisa Looney.”

Gonzo also thanked Craig Dorety and Andy Kennedy for their logistic support. In addition, Kennedy also wrote promotional copy, and Jill Townsend found hotel rooms at a discount for PNWS members. Gonzo expressed special appreciation for the contributions from Newport Visual Arts Center Director Tom Webb. “Working with Tom was a pleasure, and I learned much about putting on big exhibitions. With communication, understanding, and patience, we pulled off a great show.”

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, contact us today!

Portland Celebrates International Sculpture Day 2017

Pacific Northwest Sculptors’ second annual celebration of International Sculpture Day on April 21 and 22 in Portland was an unqualified success, judging from comments after the event by its organizers, participants and guests.

Hosted at three neighboring venues in Southeast Portland’s Sellwood District and billed as “ International Sculpture Day PDX 2017, 3D Alchemy: Fusing Intellect, Intuition and Magic Into Sculpture,” the event featured leading local sculptors talking about their work, live demonstrations of sculptors at work, a tour of one sculptor’s cutting-edge, high-tech studio, an exhibit of sculptures by local artists, lots of good food and drink, a tango demonstration and, to wrap it all up, a dance party with live music.

PNWS member Alisa Looney was a driving force behind the event. It was her presentation at a members’ meeting at Marylhurst University near Lake Oswego about two years ago that led PNWS to commit to joining the celebration, observed around the world each April for the last three years.

Summing up this year’s event she said, “My feeling overall was that it was a wonderful event for all who attended. Our entire team was incredible, professional and dependable. Everyone really showed up and made sculpture to the public in a fresh way.”

Everyone on the organizing team and the other artists who were featured in the event worked hard and deserve considerable gratitude for their selfless contribution.

PNWS Members Create International Sculpture Day

PNWS President George Heath singled out Looney for her imagination and commitment to making Portland a part of this observance. He wrote to her after the recent event, “As for you, Wow! That was amazing. I rarely, if ever, have seen anybody pull off something like that with such aplomb. Nicely done.”

Looney said, “I was truly honored to receive this compliment on behalf of our team,” adding, “it would not have been possible to pull this off without even one of our amazing team members, artists, hosts, sponsors, volunteers and guests.”

Other members of the International Sculpture Day organizing team, all PNWS members, were Julian Voss-Andreae, Jennifer Corio, Dave Gonzo, Sam Hingston, and Sue Quast. Some of the planners were also featured artists at the event. Voss-Andreae opened his studio to the public where he led a tour and explained how he blends art and high-tech; he also was a featured speaker, along with Hingston, at the artist talks.

The other featured speakers were Chayo Wilson and Bill Leigh. Corio emceed the artist talks. Gonzo demonstrated sculptural welding techniques alongside fellow PNWS member Andy Kennedy who demonstrated ceramic work. Looney singled out Susan Schimelfining as one volunteer “who has not been mentioned enough.” Looney credited Schimelfining for planning and preparing the food available at various venues. “It was beautifully displayed and delicious as well,” said Looney. “She actually cooked the smoked chicken herself and went to great lengths to make it all work with the schedule of replenishing for each event.”

SE Portland Businesses Host Artists and Guests for International Sculpture Day

The event was sited at three locations in close proximity to one another along Southeast 17th Avenue: Anna Daedalus and Kerry Davis’s Roll-Up Photo Studio + Gallery, which was the venue of last year’s celebration, Voss-Andreae’s new studio, and Rachel Lidskog-Lim’s Dance With Joy Studios. Groups of artists and guests migrated together from one location to the next throughout the evening. Hingston thought the geography of the event added to its appeal. “I thought it was a really fun and engaging event.

The three locations gave the evening a lot of variety, and I thought having the group travel together brought a bit of adventure to the whole thing,” he said. He also had praise for his fellow planners. “It was a great experience working with the planning committee as well as the many people who helped to make it all happen.

It took a lot of effort from a lot of people, but it was certainly well worth it.” Corio was pleased with the outcome as well. “All and all, a smashing success! I am proud to be part of the planning team,” she said. She thought the audience at the artist presentations seemed “laid back and really interested in hearing what the artists had to say.” She said they asked “good questions” and with “a fair bit of laughter,” which, she added, made her job as emcee easier.

International Sculpture Day a Success

Corio summarized the event. “I felt a fun, joyful vibe throughout the evening. The show at Roll-Up (Gallery) was full of folks looking at art and enjoying themselves.” While it was difficult to count overall attendance at the event owing to its being spread out across three venues, it was possible to get a good count of the people attending the artist talks.

Corio and Looney agreed the number there was about 75 with a few others gathered just outside the door to the room where food and beverages were available. Paul Haist, the newsletter editor, who was focused on watching and photographing what was going on, though overall attendance could not be much less than about 200. The celebration would not have been possible without the generous support of many in the community including sponsors Cobalt Designworks, Dance With Joy Studios, Form 3D Foundry, Bill Leigh, Roll-Up Photo Studio + Gallery, the International Sculpture Center in Hamilton, N.J. (publishers of Sculpture Magazine) and Julian Voss-Andreae.

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, contact us today!