Its mid-May on
a Friday, which means back to Gallery Stroll I go. Weather warms up and so do
the crowds as they make their way from stop to stop, but this month I ventured
a bit out of the way for a student-based show.
--- The Pickle Company over on 4th West has been a hub over recent years
for both the up-and-coming along with the well-rooted artists of
Kristina Robb (with Michael McGlothlen & Brian Patterson)
http://www.thepicklecompany.org/
Gavin: Hey Kristina, first off, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Kristina: My name is Kristina Robb and I am the founder and Executive
Director of TRASA urban arts collective at the Pickle Company. Michael
McGlothlen is the
Gavin: For those who don't know, what is The Pickle Company?
Kristina: Right out of our mission: With a focus on contemporary
sociopolitical and cultural issues, TRASA urban arts collective utilizes art to
stimulate community interaction, cooperation, and evolution. We sustain the
Pickle Company, a multidisciplinary arts center located in the industrial
Granary District of downtown
Gavin: How did the idea come about to start up the place as an art
building?
Kristina: When developing TRASA's mission and in aquiring the Pickle
Company, we wanted a venue that promoted the process of making of art as well
the exhibition. We are approximately 80% stuido/creatively focused and 20%
exhibition focused. From the beginning we conceived of the building as home to
our Artist-in-Residence Program which supports visual and performing artists in
the creation and exhibition of innovative new work. We offers workspace, access
to equipment and technical assistance, exhibition opportunities, and funding
for the realization of ambitious projects.
Gavin: When did you come across the place and what was it like renovating
it?
Kristina: We purchased in the property in 2001 and have done very little
renovation. As an artist and administrator, I believe one of the great things
about the Pickle Company is that it is not a precious place. We can create
without being afraid to build a temporary wall or get paint on the floor. It is
a large-scale studio space and we focus almost entirely on large-scale,
multimedia installation work.
Gavin: For those interested, how does the In-Residence program work out?
Kristina: Our Artist-In-Residence program supports emerging visual and
performing artists in the creation and exhibition of innovative new work. We
are interested in proposals that consider the unique architecture of TRASA's
facility and encourage site specific work. TRASA’s studio facilities, combined
with our unique exhibition and performance spaces, provide artists of all media
the opportunity for in-depth exploration and the realization of ambitious
projects. Applications for our Artist-In-Residence Program are accepted on an
ongoing basis. We are interested in artists whose work fosters critical dialog
about contemporary sociopolitical and cultural issues. The commercial potential
of work is not a factor. Application materials are available on our website.
Gavin: Who are some of the residents who have previously and currently
occupied space here?
Kristina: Current residents include Gary Vlasic, Colour Frazier Maisch,
Michael McGlothlen, Stephanie Leitch, Davina Pallone, Shawn Porter, Travis
Purrington, Ruby Chacón, Bill Daniel (Portland, OR), Tyrone Davies/Loaf-I
Productions, Movement Forum, and Kinde Nebeker. Past residents include Carole
Gallagher, Brittany Reese Dance/Active Arts, Kari Hoass (Oslo, Norway),
Guillermo Gómez-Peña/La Pocha Nostra (Mexico City), the Body Politic, David
& Mathieu Ruhlman, Black Dog Theatre Company and Trent Call/Swinj
Magazine.
Gavin: I believe you tend to take part in sponsored projects as a whole.
Was that something you planned on doing from the start, or something you grew
into. And what ones have you taken part in over the years?
Kristina: We do not "take part" in Sponsored Projects, we have
sponsored projects, and in fact and entire Sponsored Project Program in which
we sponsor projects by providing guidance and services, including continuing
education, networking opportunities, access to consultants, and resources for
fundraising. We also offer fiscal sponsorship and managerial support to artists
and arts organizations which lack administrative experience and infrastructure,
so that they may produce temporary projects or begin to develop on-going
organizations. One of the most important aspect of this part of our programming
is that we actually do all of the web design, maintenance support as well and
administration for most of our Artists-in-Residence as well as several local
non-profits including the Salt Lake Gallery Association and the Salt Lake
Gallery Stroll.
Gavin: I read you also provide workshops and classes. Tell us about
those, and how do people get involved with them?
Kristina: We provide workshops and classes specific to our
Artists-In-Residence and other large exhibitions/performances. For example,
when we Guiermo Gomez-Pena was in town we hosted a three-day long workshop
exploring his processes related to performance art. During EXPOSED we hosted a
workshop with an art therapist for individuals who have issues related to being
a downwinder. We promote classes and workshops through the web and through the
usual channels (eg. the Utah Arts Council, the Salt Lake City Arts Council, Now
Playing
Gavin: Tell us about the Alternative Student Show you have running this
stroll.
Kristina: Bldg 38, the Alternative Student Show is a juried exhibition
featuring works by undergraduate artists at the
Gavin: How were the pieces judged and selected in this showing, and who
won this year?
Kristina: The juror was Jill Dawsey, the Curator of Modern and
Contemporary Art at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. She was previously Assistant
Curator in Painting and Sculpture at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
(2003-2006). Dawsey has taught curatorial practice at the California College of
the Arts and art history at the San Francisco Art Institute, the University of
California, Irvine, and Stanford University, where she completed her PhD. Her
writing has appeared in Afterall, Afterimage, Art Journal,
ArtPapers, and Artforum.com. Students selected for the exhibit include
Nadia Baker, David Bradway, Anna Copeland-Rynders, Brandon Garcia, Michael
Handley, Karalee Kuchar, Sarah Martin, Michael McGlothlen, Brian Patterson,
Mallory Qualls, Diane Sanchez, John Walton, and Miranda Whitlock.
Gavin: A little local, what are your thoughts on our art scene, both
good and bad?
Kristina: Seems to me that art scene is a problematic term. I guess the
question is whose art scene are you talking about? For me personally,
Gavin: Anything you believe could be done to make it bigger or better?
Kristina: I believe that there are many individuals always working,
striving to improve the artistic community (the art scene as you say). I think
the the thing most important thing that can be done to continue to develop our
community is to support those individuals who have devoted a part of themselves
to contribute to the community. Personally, I would not have been compelled to
volunteer my precious time to the arts if I had not been inspired by people
like Rick Collier and Jim Edwards (past Director and Curator) of the Salt Lake
Art Center, Jan Andrews, Kenny Riches, Laura Durham, Gary Vlasic and all the
young, cutting edge artists that continue to make me want to create a community
in which they can thrive.
Gavin: Being involved with Gallery Stroll, what's your take on it and
how its done over the years?
Kristina: As you know we, along with the Utah Arts Council, provide
Project Support to the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll. Again, I think the fact the
Gallery Stroll keeps getting bigger and bigger with more diverse of venues
participating as well as individuals attending speaks entirely for itself.
Gavin: What about your thoughts on the Utah Arts Festival, and will you
guys be doing anything with it this year?
Kristina: Honestly, I don't think much about it. I do attend and I do
support it. Several of our artist residencies have contributed to the festival
in the past but this year the focus is more on the gallery/stage rather than
the larger festivals and events.
Gavin: What can we expect from both of you and The Pickle Company the
rest of the year?
Kristina: We have just completed almost a whole year of intense of
intense studio work. We have several new Artists-In-Residence and starting in
September we look forward to the fruition of all the work of these artists.
Look to our website for details.
Gavin: Aside from the obvious, is there anything you'd like to plug or
promote?
Kristina: I don't think it is very obvious. I cannot tell you how often
people in Salt Lake get confused when TRASA talks about supporting the artists'
processes and taking a risk on what the end product (if there is a end product)
might be.