Collaboration: an exhibit by members of ArtistsConnect of Edmonds

The Forgotten Goddess” is a mixed media sculpture
using a mannequin, air dry clay, paper, acrylic paint
and fiber created by Susie Howell and Tonnie Wolfe.

The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation and the Edmonds Arts Commission are pleased to present “Collaboration: an exhibit by members of ArtistsConnect of Edmonds” at the Frances Anderson Center, now through March 14.

Creativity can be enhanced by a number of factors. Collaboration is one. Viewed as such a strong influence on innovation, companies, such as Apple and Google, created workspaces that foster cross-pollination and collaboration.

Artists often work in isolation. In doing so, it is easy to stay within comfortable habits and practices that are familiar. Through a desire to explore and innovate, a group of artists decided to form pairs and teams to create a single piece of collaborative art. Thus the Collaboration exhibit was born.

The Collaboration Project emerged from ArtistsConnect, a group of Edmonds-area artists that receives support from the Edmonds Art Festival Foundation and ArtWorks. The exhibit will showcase the collaborative pieces of 19 artists. Artists worked in pairs or trios to create both two and three dimensional works. Many will add an individual piece to the show, so the viewer can compare the artist’s usual style with what emerged from the collaboration.

The Collaboration Project encouraged the artist teams to try something new. From a large 3-panel screen made from painted doors and iron, to a small ceramic and fiber statuette, the scale of work varied. Artists who typically worked in 2 dimensions, created 3 dimensional pieces. For example, a glass artist paired with a photographer created an under-seascape. A team who shared an art trip to Paris collaged images onto fabric and designed a skirt as homage to Paris fashion. Those who worked with more traditional media wrestled with how to combine them both technically and aesthetically. All reported stretching in some way.

The EAFF Gallery is located in the Frances Anderson Center, Main Entrance - 700 Main Street, Edmonds. Gallery Hours: Mon – Fri 9 to 7, Sat – 10 to 1. For information call 425-771-0228 or 425-771-1984.

More information about the programs and exhibits of the EAF Foundation, and the Edmonds Arts Commission.