The Barns – The Penland Sketchbook

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Penland

Sean O’Connell’s Work is About the Pleasure of the Handmade

Meet Sean O’Connell, Penland Resident Artist.

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Hi, my name is Sean O’Connell. I’ve been a potter, amongst other things, for the better part of 20 years.

For me, making by hand is a deliberate attempt at slowing down, connecting to something deeper, and taking time to appreciate the pleasure of labor.

Penland has been home for the last 2½ years. During that time, I’ve continued to pursue pottery as well as branching out into sculptural work, painting, wood carving, and making calligraphy brushes.

All of these different parts of my practice are threaded together by a common theme of utility and self-expression.

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Applications for the Penland Resident Artist program are open through July 2.

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Please enjoy a small selection of Sean’s work and process:

Works in progress, 2024

Firing the wood kiln at The Barns

Funny Bean, acrylic, ink, collage, paper on panel

Brush-mark Platter, stoneware, slip, glaze

Assorted Handmade brushes

Serving dish, stoneware, slip, glaze

Hand-carved, wooden spoons

Brush-mark Sculpture, stoneware , slip, pigment

Penland wood kiln at The Barns

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Discover more of Sean’s work HERE.

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Penland

Adam Grinovich Combines Technology and Traditional Jewelry Design

Meet Adam Grinovich, Penland Resident Artist.

Hello, I’m Adam Grinovich. I am a Penland Resident Artist and am participating in the one-year residency.

I work with jewelry and metalsmithing, incorporating emerging technologies such as 3-D printing with traditional metalworking techniques. I’m fascinated by contemporary adornment, streetwear culture, video game design, as well the related fields of craft and design.

During my time at Penland I plan to further develop the connections between technology and craft and develop a collaborative series with my partner and fellow resident artist Annika Pettersson.

For the past 5 years, I have been working as a full-time educator on a college level and have recently decided to transition back into a studio practice. Penland has given me the amazing opportunity to realize this goal by providing support and community during this one-year period.

I invite you to check out what I’m working on in the studio at any point during the residency and be sure to find me at the Penland Resident Artist open studios at The Barns that occur twice a month.

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Applications for the Penland Resident Artist program are open through July 2.

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We hope you enjoy a few of Adam’s impressive works:

TROPICAL SPACE 4
Pendant
5 x 5 x .75 inches
stainless Steel, cubic Zirconia, paracord

TRIANGULAR
Pendant
3.5 x 3.5 x 2 inches
stainless Steel, cubic zirconia, paracord

DECOY 3
Brooch
3 x 3 x 1.5 inches
stainless steel, cubic zirconia.

INDRAS WEB 2
Necklace
14 x 14 x 3 inches
spring steel, cubic zirconia.

PENDANT SLVK
Pendant
1.5 x 1 x 1 inches
mild steel, cubic zirconia, paracord

ELSAQ 2
Pendant
3 x 3 x 3 inches
stainless steel, cubic zirconia, paracord

BADGE 4
Pendant
4 x 4 x .75 inches
stainless steel, cubic zirconia, paracord

HYDRA 3
Pendant
5 x 2.5 x 2 inches
stainless steel, cubic zirconia, paracord

LOCK CHARM
Necklace
15 x 15 x .125 inches
stainless steel, cubic zirconia, paracord

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Discover more of Adam’s work HERE.

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Penland

Resident Artist Applications Due January 15

View of The Barns at Penland — The Barns studios and apartments—home of the Penland resident artists.

Penland is excited to be accepting four new artists into our Resident Artist Program for 2017. Residents are full-time artists who spend three years living and working as part of the Penland community. The residency is an opportunity for them to test ideas and processes, develop their studio practice, and explore new directions in a supportive and creatively-charged setting.

We will be selecting residents in all media except glass (our dedicated glass studio is currently occupied). The application deadline is January 15, 2017, and residencies will begin September 15, 2017. Learn more.

mixed-media photo by Mercedes Jelinek, cast glass by Dean Allison, metal/book sculpture by Andrew Hayes — Work by current Penland resident artists Mercedes Jelinek (photography), Dean Allison (cast glass), and Andrew Hayes (metal/book sculpture).

Though our residents span a wide range of media and interests, many of them appreciate their time at Penland for similar reasons. Hear what a few recent residents have said in reflecting on their three years here:

“The Penland residency is about a gift of time. A special growth can take place when you have time to focus life around the studio. For me, the ideas are flowing with confidence and some of them are strong. My perspective on how I want to live life is maturing.”
—Matt Kelleher, resident 2005-2008

“I have been producing more work and larger work than I ever have, getting back into teaching, participating in national and international shows, and really pushing myself to produce and deliver as much as I possibly can. As a result, my work is growing in many different directions all at once and although it feels hard to keep up, I feel this intensity is key to my growth and success.”
—Rachel Meginnes, resident 2012-2015

“The open, supportive atmosphere at Penland has encouraged me to move in innovative directions and enabled my daily life with my family to intertwine naturally with my studio life.”
—Robin Johnston, resident 2011-2014

“Three years is a long time, the perfect amount of time to find myself as an artist.”
—Micah Evans, resident 2012-2015

“The Penland residency was a life-changing experience. I went from making a few pieces a year to being a full-time artist. I loved being immersed in a communal studio atmosphere, and I am happy to have become part of the Penland community at large.”
—Anne Lemanski, resident 2004-2007

Visit the Resident Artist page to learn more or apply to the program.

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