A new year, and with it five new Core Fellowship students soon to make their way to Penland to join our little community of creativity and learning. Here they are:
Zee Boudreaux is a textile artist who earned a BFA at California College of the Arts in 2009. He lives and works in San Francisco where he has worked for several years as a dyer, studio assistant, baker, delivery person, and administrative assistant. Zee wants to make a living as a textile artist and hopes to take classes at Penland in textiles, books, and metals with a focus on production, technique, and practical application. He has proven himself talented and resourceful and now wants an educational experience that will propel him towards his professional goals. Zee was a studio assistant at Penland in 2007 and 2011, and (most recently) was a studio assistant during the Instructors Retreat this fall.
Liz Koerner is a woodworker and furniture maker with a strong designer’s eye. She grew up in Iowa and earned a BFA from California College of the Arts in 2009. She is currently working as an assistant in a metal fabrication shop in Oakland, CA. She is a resident artist at a cooperative artist’s studio where she works as the facilities manager in exchange for studio space and shop time. Liz wants to continue learning everything she can about wood and furniture design and is interested in incorporating iron, glass, and metals in her designs. Liz was a work/study student in the Penland wood studio this summer.
Michael Krupiarz is a glass artist, originally from New York, who lives and works in Spruce Pine and the Penland area. He is currently studio assistant to Cristina Córdova and Pablo Soto and has worked for Thor Bueno, Kenny Pieper, Greg Fidler, and Martin Janecky. He earned a BFA from Alfred University in 2005 and has also worked at Pilchuck Glass School. Mike is seeking the chance to step out of his role facilitating other people’s creative process and put his own work first. He plans to continue his glass education while experimenting in complementary classes. He was also the Penland auction assistant in 2010.
Rachel Mauser is the recipient of a 2011 Windgate Fellowship which she has used to expand her education in book arts. She has taken workshops at Haystack, Penland, and Anderson Ranch in wood, books, and letterpress respectively. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Rachel earned a BFA from Murray State University. She seeks to increase her knowledge in books, papermaking, printmaking, letterpress, and metals in order to expand her repertoire in sculptural books. Rachel aspires to be a studio artist and educator in the craft field. She was a work/study student at Penland last summer.
Molly Spadone is a potter with specific interests in atmospheric firing. She grew up in Maine and recently graduated from Guilford College with a BFA in ceramics. She is currently apprenticing with her mentor (and Penland instructor) Woody Hughes in Maine. She also works at a Bed & Breakfast and on an organic farm. Molly’s focus will be on functional pottery, and she intends to explore ideas for presentation and display for her pots. Her interests include classes in wood, glass, books, and printmaking. Molly was a work/study student at Penland in 2010.
Click here for more information about the Core Fellowship program at Penland School of Crafts.