Happy New Year from the Light Grey Art Lab Team!
We hope 2020 is filled with positivity, exploration, and community! :D
2019 has been an interesting and pivotal year for almost everyone we know. Between moving spaces, changing jobs, adopting a new lifestyle, or trying to make a difference in a new way, it seems clear that this last year has been so important for personal and creative growth! Even some of the major themes in the residency workshops were about chasing the unknown, self-care as artists, and pursuing extracurricular activities. It is beautiful and inspiring to witness people making choices/changes about their practice, hopes, and ambitions! Whether your change in 2019 was big or small, we wish you comfort, inspiration, and fresh perspective going into the next year!
We look forward to collaborating and traveling with many of you in 2020!
A sincere thank you for being a part of the creative community and sharing your work,
-Light Grey Art Lab
Jenny Wells, Gallery Manager
At the beginning of 2019, we wrote four interviews reflecting on generosity and resolutions.
Click here to read our thoughts at the beginning of the year:
”Spreading Positivity” by Niky Motekallem and Jenny Wells
”Awareness and Giving in Artistic Communities” by Jasmin Dreyer and Lindsay Nohl
”Creative Power to Change the World” by Emory Allen and James Lavella
”Using Your Creative Voice” by Jessica Roux and Calvin Bauer
Our process at the gallery is similar to working on client projects. We spend months researching, getting the ideas together, and figuring out a plan before we can get lots of artists involved in the process! It is always a combination of big brainstorms, crunching numbers, and making sure we can pull it off — you should see our intense spreadsheets! Our travel research often includes reaching out to locals and topical experts, museums, and deep dives into the history, culture, language, and geology of the spaces we are exploring. For the many things that happen in the gallery or in concept, a lot remains behind closed doors — part of the inner workings of the mysterious force that we love so much. Thanks for your patience as we work through the details of each new project — we are always excited for the stages when we can finally reveal what we’ve been doing and involve the community!
Below, we have shared some of our year highlights! This year, we had the opportunity to travel with so many incredible creatives and put on some pretty great exhibitions. We look forward to collaborating in 2020!
February 2019 — Lovesona, Innuendo, and Tasteful Nudes Exhibitions
You can find more about these projects in the gallery archives here.
The delicate curves of a body emerge through the settling dust of chalk pastel. The artist peers over their drawing board at a trusted model, reclining elegantly on their vintage lounge sofa. Their masterpiece is complete… The Tasteful Nudes Exhibition included 50+ creatives and is a celebration of the sensual, the subtle, and the sensory aspects of the human form.
Innuendo was collaborative exhibition of artwork and goods featuring playful allusions to the lewd and salacious. Participants created a range of limited edition art objects including pins, postcards, stickers, zines, patches and more that dance around taboo subjects with humorous imagery.
#LOVESONA Online Project + Exhibition celebrating creative singles!
Creatives have a unique way of looking at the world and themselves, and we want to celebrate what makes them great partners. Participants in the #LOVESONA project drew a portrait of themselves or a creative friend, wrote a bio about their/their friends’ deepest passions and interests, and then shared it with the hashtag #lovesona! Along with the profiles, you can check out interactive content and activities on the Lovesona instagram
EXHIBITION PHOTO GALLERY
SHOW INTERVIEWS: Adiana Bellet, B. Mure, Ashley Floréal
March 2019 — Light Grey Art Camp International: Greece Mythology and Sacred Sites Tour
Team Siren’s nomadic journey included visits to ancient spaces in Greece, museums, and ruins from along ago. Team Siren explored the streets and history of Athens, traveled to Delphi, and the monasteries of Meteora. They learned about the rich history, greek gods and mythology, pottery and building techniques, and created work together among statues and mountain tops, and got to know one another through intimate family-style dinners and conversation.
We recently posted photos from the adventure on our Flickr, which you can check out here!
Painting from the temples of Meteora
Artist, Mallory Heil, learning about pottery and ceramics
Team Siren sharing a traditional meal and wine.
May 2019 — Light Grey Art Camp: Grand Teton National Park
Team Mink traveled through Grand Teton National Park, hiking along the remote lake trails, watching for birds and wildlife, learning about native history, swimming in natural pools, and making work together. This time of year is fairly quiet in the park, so we had the opportunity to sit and paint by the water, wander through the dense pine forests, and get to know each other over workshops and late-night bonfires.
Some of the most memorable parts of this trip include ‘personal firsts.’ Our group went kayaking along the islands on Jackson Lake, and this was the first time many of the artists had been kayaking. On top being a new experience, Jackson lake is pristine, bright blue, and formed by glaciers along the Grand Tetons — it was a beautiful moment to share together! Other favorites include a rock skipping competition, visits to the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and the epic journey to a remote hot spring in the mountains.
Team Mink at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park
Artists kayaking on Jackson Lake
Artists wade the waters in Kelly Warm Springs.
May 2019— Light Grey Art Camp: Yellowstone National Park
Team Red Fox traveled to Yellowstone National Park, exploring the Mammoth Hot springs, boiling pots, viewing herds of bison and elk, spotting lichen and natural formations. Artists also learned about geology, lava, hydrothermal activity and the history of the parks. Team Red Fox also had the opportunity to horseback ride through the national forest and explore Quake Lake.
Some of our team’s favorite moments include climbing the boulders in Northern Yellowstone, watching grizzly bears at Mammoth Falls, sketching herds of baby bison in the park, making s’mores and bonfire snacks at the house, and painting by the waterfalls.
Artists wander the paths along the Yellowstone Geyser Basins
Team Red Fox Horseback riding in the national forest
Team Red Fox in North Yellowstone
June 2019- Light Grey Art Lab Norway Residency Program + Norway Art Camp
Artists traveled to the Handangerfjord outside of Bergen, Norway for this year’s Light Grey Art Lab Norway Residency and Art Camp Programs. The teams spent their days wandering by nearby waterfalls, identifying plants, swimming in the fjord, and learning about traditional techniques, crafts, foraging, and history. Some of the workshops included spoon carving, rosemaling, knitting, Norwegian boat building, and much more.
Artists share their expertise through residency workshops
Making paper flowers inspired by local flaura
Artist learn Norwegian rosemaling techniques
Matt Moss teaching a spoon carving workshop
Spoon Carving and team crafts
Traditional Norwegian longboats in the Handangerfjord
July 2019- CURIO Residency Exhibition + Reunion
We shared a space, hiked along rocky trails, brainstormed over warm food, chatted about life, our creative dreams, personal growth, and opened ourselves to new experiences, camaraderie, and friendship. We experienced thoughtful workshops and beautiful moments throughout the program. The CURIO Exhibition reunited our artists-in-residence to create collections of work based on their experiences together. Moments in the landscape, emotional connections, and artistic discoveries, all presented in curated, collaborative mini-exhibitions.
The opening reception also included an artist reunion — we had nearly 30 artists fly in for the event and get together <3 It was really great to see everyone in Minneapolis!
Click here for more details about the CURIO Exhibition.
Collaborative zine by artists Marcella Tamayo + Susanna Selici
Collaborative zine by Team Vatn
Artists come to Minneapolis for a mini reunion weekend!
Watching fireworks along the banks of Lake Harriet
AUGUST 2019 - Light Grey Art Lab Iceland Residencies + Iceland Art Camps
Northern Iceland
Jenny and Julie led the residencies and art camp programs in Northern Iceland, where artists were able to explore some of the most rugged, volcanic, and sublime landscapes. Day trips included visits to Ásbyrgi Canyon, troll-inspired lava fields such as Dimmuborgir, basalt waterfalls of Dettifoss, Selfoss and Godafoss, northern bird cliffs, basalt beaches, museums, and much more. Each team has a unique itinerary, getting to experience remote spaces, learn about local flora and fauna, and site specific mythology.
The Westfjords
Lindsay, Matt, and Kelsey led the residency and art camp programs in the wild Westfjords. The Westfjords are lonely and vast space with tiny towns and lots of amazing locations to get lost in! We played with arctic foxes, saw Minke whales play in the fjords, hiked to the top of the mountains and got lost in the fog. We foraged for natural foods in the landscape and made meals out of herbs, berries, and local vegetables the way the locals would centuries ago. There was even a little talk of Glîma — Icelandic wrestling and who may come out on top as champion of the programs.
Team Ice Bear at the base of Godafoss
Team leaders, Jenny and Julie, getting ready for Whale Watching
Team Narwhal at Selfoss
Artists foraging bilberries
Artist, Emily Bury, painting along the basalt rocks
Residents painting in the Westfjords
Light Grey Founder and travel leader, Lindsay Nohl, exploring tide pools in the Westfjords
September 2019 — Visit Costa Rica
In Sept, we flew down to Costa Rica to connect with our local partners for the LGAL Art Camp program to Costa Rica. We explored the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, La Fortuna, hiked around the Arenal Volcano and explored some of the natural hot springs and rivers. We spent our time talking with local ecologists about Costa Rica sustainability, animal rehabilitation, learning about local cuisine, and connecting with local tribes and craftspeople! <3 We cannot wait to bring artists to this unique and incredible wild space!
September 2019 — The World’s of Kyle Ferrin Exhibition
Light Grey Art Lab in partnership with Leder Games, presented the retrospective exhibition by illustrator, Kyle Ferrin. The Worlds of Kyle Ferrin exhibition included over 80 unique illustrations and works that showcase his contributions to the contemporary board games industry and works that dive into fantasy worlds and imaginative communities filled with goblins, ghouls, and forest creatures. Kyle Ferrin is a graphic artist and illustrator working in the Board Game industry. He is best known for his work on Root and the Vast series of board games. He primarily works with pen, ink, and digital color and brings cute and quirky characters to life via his expressive, dynamic style.
Find more details about the exhibition here!
The fall was a time for planning new things! We had the best idea for a new program and launched the Scotland RPG Tour this fall! We’re headed to the U.K next year to have a one of a kind adventure steeped in fantasy! We’ve prototyped a few new formats for group shows (which we are excited to share with you). And we did a lot of seemingly boring things in order to take care of business. As you all know, there is a lot of work that isn’t as glamorous, but is definitely part of what makes Light Grey possible!
Thank you again to everyone that has contributed energy, time, and creativity to 2019 with us! We are so very grateful!
Lots of love from the Light Grey and our helpers!