Critical Mass for the Visual Arts is a nonprofit, self-formed visual arts collaborative dedicated to promoting, enhancing and initiating contemporary visual art in the St. Louis region.
Latest:
MAPS + Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Local Artist Roundtable
Midwest Artist Project Services (MAPS) and Critical Mass are partnering to present a virtual local artist roundtable on Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 pm. The conversation will center on the impact of the pandemic on artists and reimagining creative life after. It will ask the following questions: How have artists adapted their practices? What are valuable resources? How do artists think creatively about the future, especially reimagining systems? It is our sincere hope this is a meaningful opportunity to share stories and ideas, connect, and deeply reflect. The conversation will be moderated by Vanity Gee—writer, musician, cultural producer, mother—and includes Rachel Youn, Simiya Sudduth, and Jayvn Solomon. Submit topics for discussion or questions for the panel in advance by emailing info@midwestarts.org. The virtual discussion is free to attend, but you must register in advance.
5 Questions-Travis Lawrence
This episode were chatting with Travis Lawrence. Influenced by Jungian psychology and mythology, Travis Lawrence uses the art of printmaking to create illustrious allegorical imagery. Reinterpreting medieval alchemical manuscripts and illuminations, each symbolic print appears to be an excerpt of narration filled with mystery and metaphor. The viewer is invited to explore the content of these hand-painted prints through a contemplative interaction with the represented archetypes. Travis resides in the Midwest where he was born and raised. Having a religious upbringing opened his perspective to the interaction with ideas greater than and/or within oneself. He utilizes the art of creation as an act of opening doorways and manifesting these ideas through symbol and metaphor. Similar to alchemy, Travis uses printmaking as a meditative procedure of transforming the mundane into a higher state.
Announcing 12th Annual Creative Stimulus Awardees!
Critical Mass for the Visual Arts is pleased to announce the winners of the 12th annual Creative Stimulus Award. This year’s selected artists are José Guadalupe Garza, Simiya Sudduth, and Chloe West. Creative Stimulus awards unrestricted funding to support artists to pursue special projects, experiment with new techniques, and deepen their understanding of their working processes. The artists were selected by a jury that included Terry Suhre, former director at Gallery 210; Gavin Kroeber, Studio for Art and Urbanism; and artist Asma Kazmi. Each artist receives an award of $1,500 for their use as creative operating capital. Media Contact: Meridith McKinley- See press release.
