Wednesday, September 12, 2018

"Woven Together" Artwork by Sherri Smith and past students at the Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey



Last month I delivered artwork to Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey for Sherri Smith's joint retirement show.  The show consists of Sherri's more current work in it's own exhibit and a joining exhibit of 14 of her past student's work, myself being one of them.  

This has been a huge honor to be part of Sherri's retirement show.  Sherri was definitely the professor that had the greatest influence on me as a student at the University of Michigan School of Art and Design.  She is the person who encouraged and pushed me to take my weaving and beadwork beyond the basics of crafting and into the realm of artwork and professional exhibiting. 

The day of the reception started off with a brunch with Guna, the current Dean of the Art School and a handful of colleagues (which was really lovely, thank you for organizing this Nan!), the opening reception at Crooked Tree and ending with a dinner outside at Leggs Inn that Shelia organized.  My boyfriend, Bryan joined me for the ride (and the trip to the U.P. between drop off and the reception), and my parents lets us crash at their place the night before and joined us at the reception (thanks for the extra photos Mom!)

I apologize for not having titles for pieces, but the first group are some of my favorites from Sherri's pieces and the second is her past-student show.


"Woven Together: The Fiber Work of Sherri Smith"









"Woven Together: The Influence of Sherri Smith"











Jenny and Bryan



Jenny, Mom and Dad



Playing with Fire (Small Weaving)

I doodled these matches back in 2015. I had gotten divorced, I was out a lot and "playing with fire" was feeling like the best des...