Angela Anderson Adams has worked as a curator and arts administrator for nearly 40 years and spent half of those directing Arlington Public Art. Under her leadership, Arlington Public Art has grown from being one of the first developer-sponsored programs in the country to an internationally renowned, award-winning public and privately funded program. The program contributes art and design enhancements to most major civic projects undertaken in Arlington County.

In this episode, Angela and I discuss the collaborative process of planning public art and upcoming projects in Arlington. We talk about everything from how an artist can pitch themselves to create public art, how a county can make art accessible for everyone, and new projects that Angela is excited about.

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Nicole Mueller is a full-time visual artist and painter based in San Francisco. Her work includes large-scale paintings, murals, and installations that mimic the effects of stained glass. Her work explores the complexity of color, states of flux, dichotomies within her painting, the transitional nature of being, and the threshold between interior and exterior, the tangible and intangible.

In this episode, we talk about the process of creating art for public spaces as a full-time artist. Nicole gives us insights on working with different sectors to create unique public art, maintaining her artistic motivation after the pandemic, and how creating public art differs from her studio art. Listen to hear all about her experience and her latest creative projects.

Show Notes: http://distillcreative.com/blog/6/23/intentionally-designing-public-art-with-nicole-mueller-ep-2806

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This week we have a live recording of the panel that accompanied the textile exhibition, Belonging. Belonging is a contemporary visual art exhibition highlighting three Brooklyn artists — Kimberly Bush, Traci Johnson, and myself. Each of us creates work with fiber, cloth, thread, and other textiles.

The intent of the exhibition was to bring awareness to the connection between the past and the present, as well as, revolutionary and indigenous history, and current-day issues in our community. Textiles are soft and inviting and can be used to represent a safe space for people to process their grief and their healing.

During this panel, Kimberly, Tracy, and I discuss our motivations for our work and how we hope our art benefits the communities around us.

I really enjoyed our discussion around craft and fine art, how we can support living artists, and how our work exists in a post-capitalist world. I also really like how you can hear children playing outside at J.J. Byrne Playground in the background.

This artist panel took place at the Old Stone House in Brooklyn, NYC on February 12th, 2023, and was recorded on-site with my iPhone. Please forgive the audio discrepancies.

Panelist | Kimberly Bush, Mixed Media Artist and Therapist

Kimberly Bush is based in Brooklyn, New York, and has over 30 years of experience. Her practice of weaving fibers, mending torn and frayed edges, and sewing fabric patches and pieces together, figuratively and literally, demonstrates the interconnectedness among humans.

• Kimberly Bush’s Website
• Instagram: @kimberlybrooklyn

Panelist | Traci Johnson, Textile Designer and Sculpturist

Traci Johnson (they/them) is an artist and fashion model who presents bold, colorful abstract sculptural creations that bring a sense of euphoria and vibrant energy to the exhibit. The works embody the texture, softness and comfort of textiles while promoting healing, self-acceptance, and self-love; they truly create a safe space for all.

• Traci Johnson’s Website
• Instagrams: @kailuaa @rugsbykailuaa

Panelist | Stephanie Eche, Artist

Stephanie Eche (she/her) uses found materials and natural fibers to create sculptures that investigate cultural identity, time, and memory. Her processes are intentionally labor and time-intensive, allowing her to reflect on the erasure of indigenous cultures as a result of colonization and capitalism, including the assimilation of her Chicana family.

• stephanieeche.com
• IG: @stephanie_eche

Moderator | Grace R. Freedman, Curator

Grace R. Freedman, PhD (she/her) is a founder of Why Not Art which celebrates the vitality of the Brooklyn arts community by presenting interdisciplinary art shows in alternative spaces to reach expanded and diverse audiences.

• whynotart.com
• IG: @whynotartnyc

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Find more episodes at https://distillcreative.com/firstcoat

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Are you an artist? Sign up for our Distill Directory.