 |
| |
|
Contact:
ALLISON DOHERTY
516.759.2533
|
Raised in upstate New York, numerous ponds, meadows and wooded areas defined my sense of space. Rural settings took on spiritual significance, and connection to them continues to be essential to both my psyche and art. When I began researching artistic residencies, I intentionally sought destinations less traveled. I enjoy the process of taking in new surroundings and distilling its essence into artwork. I take lots of photographs but often re-shuffle or combine details in my compositions in hopes that they communicate spirit-of-place, rather than a specific location.
Wandering around less populated areas in southwestern France has long satisfied my love of rural areas and nourished my imagination. My first residency, in the village of Montréal de l’Aude in the heart of Cathar country, kindled an on-going interest with this fascinating culture. Threatened by growing numbers, a bloody crusade against the Cathars was instigated by the Catholic Church, whose forces often annihilated entire populations and villages. Catharism was eradicated by about 1321, but the memory of them lingers in stone and spirit. In the nearby town of Fanjeaux, a 14th century Occitan cross, crusted with centuries-old lichens, held silent testimony and raised the hair on the back of my neck when I laid my hand on it. Subsequently, my interpretation of this cultural icon began to appear in my work. Several years later, a second residency in the small, perched village of Castelnau-de-Montmiral solidified my interest in all things Cathar, as well as my love for the Midi-Pyrénées wonderful landscapes and compelling histories.
I continue to find this part of France inspirational but have broadened my searches for residencies. At the Venice Printmaking Studio, on the island of Murano, I created large “portals” through which one could view my journey. Eventually completed in mixed media, these pieces are composite “glimpses” and I hope they transport viewers into the watery Venetian lagoon. Another journey through the extraordinary region of Basilicata, in southern Italy, introduced incredible images which greatly influenced the work begun during my time as an artist in residence at Palazzo Rinaldi. Rich with dramatic landscapes, and sparsely populated, it was possible there to step back in time and disappear from the modern world. I experienced life in Noepoli, another small, perched village, high in the mountainous heart of the Pollino National Park. Breathtaking views out over valleys and distant mountain ranges, where lights from other small villages twinkled at night, are still on my mind.
More recently, I was awarded an art educators residency at Cow House Studios, in County Wexford, Ireland. There, I took advantage of mild spring weather to work outside and enjoy surrounding farmlands. This residency was important on another level because I will reconvene at Cow House in future with a group of high school students to guide them as they explore the question, “How do artists respond visually to their environment?” I hope we all make a lot of art along the way!
|
 |
EDUCATION
|
1983
|
MFA, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY |
1979
|
BS in Art Education, State University of NY, Plattsburgh, NY
New York State Certification K-12 Art |
1976
|
Chester College, Chester, England (exchange student / practice teaching) |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT / RESIDENCIES / AWARDS / GRANTS
|
2017
|
Faculty mentor, GSS "Visual Response, at Home and Abroad," IRELAND |
2016
|
Quaker Pilgrimage (sponsored by Friends Council on Education), Grasmere, ENGLAND |
2015
|
Artist Educator Residency, Cow House Studios, Co. Wexford, IRELAND |
2014
|
Center for Book Arts, NY, NY (papercutting with Béatrice Coron) |
2014
|
Palazzo Rinaldi, Noepoli, Basilicata, ITALY (10 day residency) |
2013
|
Venice Printmaking Studio, Murano, ITALY (Large Format Prints residency) |
2012
|
NAEA (National Art Education Association) Convention, New York, NY |
2011
|
Artists Who Teach Workshop, Art Institute of Boston, MA (Monotype with Tim Peck) |
2010
|
Educators Art Lab, Kansas City Art Institute, MO (Printmaking with Miguel Rivera) |
2010
|
Thinking Like An Artist (2-day creativity conference), Guggenheim Museum, NY |
2010
|
Lower East Side Printshop, NY, NY (Monotype with Sarah Nicole Phillips) |
2009
|
Atelier Montmiral, Castelnau de Montmiral, FRANCE (10 day residency) |
2006
|
Haystack Mountain School, Deer Isle, ME (Painting with Moe Brooker) |
2005
|
ARTINSWFRANCE, Montreal de l'Aude, FRANCE (10 day residency) |
1997-2002
|
Chaperone, Friends Academy cultural trips with students through out FRANCE |
1996
|
School of Visual Arts, NY, NY (Adobe Photoshop) |
1994
|
Extensive travel through MOROCCO (focus on ceramics industry) |
1993
|
Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC (Surface Design) |
1993
|
Center for Book Arts, NY, NY (Creative Books for Teachers) |
1992
|
Women's Studio Workshop, Rosendale, NY (Surface Design) |
1991
|
Horizons New England Craft Program, Amherst, MA (Papermaking) |
1989
|
Niche Award for Excellence in American Crafts (Finalist) |
1987
|
MA Arts Lottery Grant, through the Chilmark Arts Council |
1985
|
NY Foundation for the Arts/Artists in Residence Program
|
1985
|
Haystack Mountain School, Deer Isle, ME (Fibers, studio assistant to Joan Livingstone) |
| |
 |
Featured in “Colors” art exhibition, Art Room Gallery.
Featured in Nature's Texture, sponsored by Still Point Art Gallery: 1 2 3
INTERNATIONAL PRINT EXCHANGE at Green Door Printmaking Studio, Derby, England. Show runs through 2 November. All participants receive a package of prints from other participating artists around the world.
9INHANDPRESS PRINT EXCHANGE 2016 – This exchange has been exhibited at: Ruddell Gallery at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota, October 2016; Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, May-September 2016; and The Library Gallery at The Printmaking Center of NJ in Branchburg, New Jersey, July 2016.
UPSTREAM PEOPLE GALLERY, "17th Painting, Drawing, Photography & Print Juried Online International Art Exhibition" - Work selected from artists from various parts of the world. Featured pieces: "LAGUNA #1 (Mosaics)" "LAGUNA #2 (Wash Day)", "LAGUNA #3 (Blue Lantern)", "LAGUNA #4 (Cyclamen and Lace)" and "VITTORIO ALFIERI GAZES BEYOND NOEPOLI".
ARTIST OF DISTINCTION for the Spirit of Place-Spirit of Home exhibition
During every Still Point Art Gallery exhibition, a small number of artists are singled out because of the distinctiveness of their work. These Artists of Distinction are selected because their work shows strong evidence of skill with the medium and contributes in a meaningful way to the theme of the exhibition. In addition, these artists are selected because their work is engaging in some special and unique way. Artists of Distinction are offered the opportunity to exhibit more of their art as Gallery Artists. View feature article here.
|
| |
|
