Style Spotlight: Artists’ Life

May 2010 | BY admin | Issue 72, Summer 2010

Haida sculptor Robert Davidson won a 2010 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts for work like this carved cedar sculpture, “Ravenous.” Credit: Kenji Nagai

The Canada Council for the Arts announced the winners of the 2010 Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts in March. Notable winners include Haida sculptor Robert Davidson, who began carving at the age of 13 and is well known for his totems, masks, paintings, prints and jewelry. Ione Thorkelsson won the Saidye Bronfman Award for excellence in fine crafts in recognition of her achievements in cast-glass sculpture.

The Anderson Ranch Arts Center announced its honorees for significant accomplishments in the arts in March. Sculptural ceramist Betty Woodman and her husband George Woodman, a painter and photographer, will be awarded the National Artist Award. Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio of Clark + Del Vecchio in Santa Fe, N.M., will be honored with the Service to the Arts Award for becoming a respected international resource for contemporary ceramic art. A ceremony and recognition dinner is scheduled July 14.

Accomplished weaver Joyce Begay-Foss was named the chairperson of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board of the U.S. Department of the Interior in February. “I look forward to promoting authentic Native American art and craft and combating the sale of counterfeit products,” explains Begay-Foss.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles named light artist Jenny Holzer the recipient of the sixth MOCA Award to Distinguished Women in the Arts at a luncheon and fundraiser in April. The award recognizes gifted women providing leadership and innovation in the arts.

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft in Louisville named installation artist Michelle Amos its spring 2010 artist in residence. She will work in an on-site studio though Aug. 15 on fiber pieces inspired by the Ohio River.

The Bellevue Arts Museum honored two jewelers with awards of excellence at its inaugural jewelry marketplace, Indulge, in February. “Stephanie Tomczak was highlighted as an emerging artist. Her jewelry is inspired by the nature of growth and decay,” explains juror Stefano Catalani. “In contrast, Tom Herman represents a master jewelry maker.”

Andrew DeVries celebrates 30 years as a sculptor with a series of events at various locations in Massachusetts throughout the year, most notably a gala on July 3 at Lenox Gallery. DeVries is one of a few sculptors who casts and finishes his own bronze in the Renaissance tradition.

Glass artist Seranda Vespermann installed two 17- by 7-foot stained-glass windows in the Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital’s new Women’s & Children’s Pavilion in Germantown, Tenn., in November. “The design is meant to encourage faith, healing and joy,” Vespermann says of the pieces, which contain more than 150 colors.

The Florida Craftsmen announced the award winners of its November CraftArt 2009 show. Notable winners include ceramist William Kidd, who won best of show; and award of excellence winners jeweler Pam Fox, fiber artist Jean Yao, jeweler and painter Jennifer Bauser, paper artist Lucrezia Bieler and jeweler Melissa Finelli.