Artist's Statement

My work moves freely down two parallel paths: one that evokes the natural world and another that has its focus on the human condition. These paths often converge and sometimes cross with the resulting work relating to our interaction with nature.

I believe there is a space between the "real" physical world and that which we perceive as real. This space is as elusive as certain stars that can only be seen by looking indirectly at them by means of averted vision. My art is meant to fit into this elusive space where viewers can define the frontiers of "reality" for themselves.

My installations are akin to riddles--I give hints as to content but much is left to viewer interpretation. I like to keep the viewer thinking, "I think that I know, I think that I understand." It is of utmost importance to me that the viewer thinks and makes a personal interpretation of the installation. Unless my work provokes thought and participation beyond the visual impression, I have not achieved the desired reaction. While my work doesn't surrender its meaning easily, I believe it delivers a clear message to the observer who seeks to relate to it as a participant rather than as a casual viewer.

Awards/Fellowships/Grants

2003, Artist Fellowship in Visual Arts, Colorado Council on the Arts

2003, Artist's Grant, US Embassy, Bratislava, Slovakia

2003, Artist's Grant, US Steel, Kosice, Slovakia

2002, Residency, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont

2000 Residency, Dorland Mountain Art Colony, Temecula, CA

1999, "Best Gallery Show--Solo," Best of Denver 1999, Westword

1998, Living Treasures of Colorado, featuring Virginia Folkestad, award winning artist video produced by ART ON TV

1997, Artist Fellowship in Visual Arts, Colorado Council on the Arts

1996, Sam Maloof Woodworking Merit Scholarship, Anderson Ranch, Snowmass, CO

1996, "Best Installation Show", Best of Denver 1996, Westword

1996, Juror's Award, Postcards II, Dearing Galleries, Taos, NM

1994-1995, Recipient of Rocky Mountain Women's Institute Associateship and Grant

1995, Student's Choice Award, 17th Annual Jurored Art Exhibition, Salina Art Center, Salina, KS

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2003, ISTHMUS/go-between, Sandy Carson Gallery,Denver, CO

2001, DISTANT CONVERSATIONS, OZ Architecture, Denver, CO)

1999, MUSICAL CHAIRS: A COMPETITION FOR

POSITION, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, CO

(installation)

1998, CORNERSTONES, Artyard, Denver, CO

(sculpture)

1997, VITAL CONNECTIONS, ARC Gallery, RAW

SPACE, Chicago, IL, Juried (installation)

1996, PLAYING FOR TIME, Edge Gallery, Denver,

CO (installation)

1996, NATURE STUDY, Spark Gallery, Denver, CO

(installation)

1996, EQUAL TERMS, Rocky Mountain College of

Art and Design, Denver, CO (installation)

1995, VITAL CONNECTIONS, Edge Gallery, Denver,

CO (installation)

1994, MEASUREMENT: OF TIME OF VALUE; Edge

Gallery, Denver, CO (performance/installation)

1993, COMFORT...., Edge Gallery, Denver, CO (installation)

1992, STRANGERS BEARING GIFTS, Auraria Library

Gallery, Denver, CO, Juried (installation)

Selected Group Exhibitions

2002 TEXAS NATIONAL 2002,Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas

2002, HOT SUMMER DAYS, Carson/Masuoka Gallery, Denver, CO

2001, INFINITE POSSIBILITIES, Carson/Masuoka Gallery, Denver, CO

2000, TIME AND PLACE: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF

WOMEN ARTISTS IN COLORADO, Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts, Denver, CO, Invitation (installation)

1999, ANA 26, Holter Museum of Art, Helena, Montana, Juried: Juane Quick-to-See Smith (sculpture)

1998, OBJECT OF COLORADO, Denver International

Airport, Denver, CO, Juried

1996, NEW AMERICAN TALENT: THE TWELFTH EXHIBITION, Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria, Austin, TX (selected to travel throughout Texas for two years), Juried: Lisa

Phillips, Catalog (installation)

1996, DWCA NATIONAL JURIED SHOW / BREAKING THE ROLE - Trammel Crow Center, Dallas, TX, Juried

1996, DENVER ZIP 802 SHOW, University of

Colorado at Denver, Denver, CO, Juried: Donald Kuspit

1996, IN TOLERANCE, Arvada Center for the Arts

and Humanities, Arvada, CO, Invitation

1995, IN SHARP FOCUS, Dana Hall Gallery, Wellesley, Massachusetts and Francis McCray Gallery, Western New Mexico University, Silver City, NM

1995, 17th ANNUAL JURORED ART EXHIBITION, Salina Art Center, Salina, KS, Juried/Catalog

INDIVIDUAL JOURNEYS SHARED VISIONS, UMC Art Gallery, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, Invitation

Education

1991, BFA, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, CO, Magna cum laude

1996, Furniture Making Workshop, Brian Kelly, Instructor, Anderson Ranch, Snowmass, CO

2001, Sculptural Forms and Blacksmithing, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina

2004, Vessel Forging, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina

Residencies

2000, Residency, Dorland Mountain Art Colony, Temecula, CA

2002, Artist’s Grant, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont Residencies

2000, Dorland Mountain Art Colony, Temecula, CA

Permanent Collections

Kaiser Permanente, Denver, CO

Dr. Wagner and Annalee Schorr, Denver, CO

Ms. Kathryn Wenderski, Colorado Springs, CO

Mrs. Lawrence Claman, Dallas, TX

Susan Evans, Denver, CO

Professional Associations

Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO

1998-present, Alliance for Contemporary Art, Denver, CO, Board of Directors

1996-2000, Rocky Mountain Women's Institute, Denver, CO, Board of Directors

1999-2000, Rocky Mountain Women's Institute, Denver, CO, Chair

1998-2000, The Invisible Museum, Denver, CO, Board of Directors

1991-1998, Edge Gallery, Denver, CO, Member

1995, Edge Gallery, Denver, CO, President

1991-1998, Spark Gallery, Denver, CO

1994-1996, Alternative Art Alliance, Denver, CO, Board of Directors

Related Experience/Jobs

2002-03, University of Denver, Adjunct Lecturer, Sculpture, Denver, CO

2001-present, Castle Rock Art Commission, Chair, Castle Rock, CO

2000, Colorado Council on the Arts, Percent for Art Selection,Committee Member, Arapahoe Community College, Douglas County Center, CO

2000, Mayors Office of Art, Culture and Film, Member Search Committee, Performing Arts Sculpture Park

1999, Metropolitan State College Center for the Visual Arts,

Teacher, Large Sculpture Collaboration Workshop, Denver, CO

Representation

Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO

Bryant Street Gallery, Palo Alto, CA

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