Angela Anderson Adams has worked as a curator and arts administrator for nearly 40 years and spent half of those directing Arlington Public Art.  Under her leadership, Arlington Public Art has grown from being one of the first developer-sponsored programs in the country to an internationally renowned, award-winning public and privately funded program. The program contributes art and design enhancements to most major civic projects undertaken in Arlington County.

In this episode, Angela and I discuss the collaborative process of planning public art and upcoming projects in Arlington. We talk about everything from how an artist can pitch themselves to create public art, how a county can make art accessible for everyone, and new projects that Angela is excited about. 

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Nicole Mueller is a full-time visual artist and painter based in San Francisco. Her work includes large-scale paintings, murals, and installations that mimic the effects of stained glass. Her work explores the complexity of color, states of flux, dichotomies within her painting, the transitional nature of being, and the threshold between interior and exterior, the tangible and intangible. 

In this episode, we talk about the process of creating art for public spaces as a full-time artist. Nicole gives us insights on working with different sectors to create unique public art, maintaining her artistic motivation after the pandemic, and how creating public art differs from her studio art. Listen to hear all about her experience and her latest creative projects.

Show Notes: http://distillcreative.com/blog/6/23/intentionally-designing-public-art-with-nicole-mueller-ep-2806

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This week we have a live recording of the panel that accompanied the textile exhibition, Belonging. Belonging is a contemporary visual art exhibition highlighting three Brooklyn artists — Kimberly Bush, Traci Johnson, and myself. Each of us creates work with fiber, cloth, thread, and other textiles.

The intent of the exhibition was to bring awareness to the connection between the past and the present, as well as, revolutionary and indigenous history, and current-day issues in our community. Textiles are soft and inviting and can be used to represent a safe space for people to process their grief and their healing. 

During this panel, Kimberly, Tracy, and I discuss our motivations for our work and how we hope our art benefits the communities around us. 

I really enjoyed our discussion around craft and fine art, how we can support living artists, and how our work exists in a post-capitalist world. I also really like how you can hear children playing outside at J.J. Byrne Playground in the background.

This artist panel took place at the Old Stone House in Brooklyn, NYC on February 12th, 2023, and was recorded on-site with my iPhone. Please forgive the audio discrepancies. 

Panelist | Kimberly Bush, Mixed Media Artist and Therapist

Kimberly Bush is based in Brooklyn, New York, and has over 30 years of experience. Her practice of weaving fibers, mending torn and frayed edges, and sewing fabric patches and pieces together, figuratively and literally, demonstrates the interconnectedness among humans. 

• Kimberly Bush’s Website
• Instagram: @kimberlybrooklyn

Panelist | Traci Johnson, Textile Designer and Sculpturist 

Traci Johnson (they/them) is an artist and fashion model who presents bold, colorful abstract sculptural creations that bring a sense of euphoria and vibrant energy to the exhibit. The works embody the texture, softness and comfort of textiles while promoting healing, self-acceptance, and self-love; they truly create a safe space for all. 

• Traci Johnson’s Website
• Instagrams: @kailuaa @rugsbykailuaa

Panelist | Stephanie Eche, Artist

Stephanie Eche (she/her) uses found materials and natural fibers to create sculptures that investigate cultural identity, time, and memory. Her processes are intentionally labor and time-intensive, allowing her to reflect on the erasure of indigenous cultures as a result of colonization and capitalism, including the assimilation of her Chicana family. 

• stephanieeche.com
• IG: @stephanie_eche

Moderator | Grace R. Freedman, Curator

Grace R. Freedman, PhD (she/her) is a founder of Why Not Art which celebrates the vitality of the Brooklyn arts community by presenting interdisciplinary art shows in alternative spaces to reach expanded and diverse audiences.

• whynotart.com
• IG: @whynotartnyc

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This week on First Coat we have Elysian Koglmeier, Head of Growth for Artwork Archive. In this episode we discuss the importance of art in health care settings, best practices for keeping an inventory for your artwork, and how to develop a creative career. Elysian shares tips on how to use Artwork Archive for public art, whether you are an artist, art collector, or institution. She also shares her experience as a mother managing her career and health of her family.

Show Notes: https://distillcreative.com/blog/3/22/23/art-inventory-art-and-health-and-creative-career-with-elysian-koglmeier-ep-26

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This week on First Coat we have artist Marela Zacarías. I first discovered Zacarías' artwork (Mannahatta) years ago at the William Vale hotel. I've since been following her work and am really excited to share this episode with you!

We recorded this episode in January 2022 and I am finally able to get this published after having a hiatus due to my maternity leave. In this episode, I am pregnant and we talk about Marela's future artwork installations, some of which have been installed. If you're interested in large-scale public artwork, evolving your studio practice, or living in two places, this episode is for you. 
Show Notes: https://distillcreative.com/blog/2/7/23/art-career-large-scale-artwork-and-motherhood-with-marela-zacarias

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Ever struggle with putting together a budget for your art project? In this episode I share my tips on how to put together a budget for a public art project.

Show notes & get a free budget template: https://distillcreative.com/blog/2022/1/25/how-to-budget-for-a-public-art-project

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This week on First Coat we have Jen Hewett. Jen Hewett is a printmaker, surface designer, textile artist, and author based in the Hudson Valley. She recently came out with her second book This Long Thread: Women of Color on Craft, Community, and Connection. In this episode we talk about her new book, her experience as an artist and business owner, and what's inspiring her right now. 

Show Notes: https://distillcreative.com/blog/1/4/22/jen-hewett-on-women-of-color-in-craft

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In this episode I share tips on how to hire a mural artist for your next mural project. If you are still looking for an artist for your project, check out my video on how to find a mural artist. 

Show Notes: https://distillcreative.com/blog/11/29/21/how-to-hire-a-mural-artist

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Learn more about Distill Creative’s art consulting services. 

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This week on First Coat we have J. Manuel Mansylla (Manman). Manman is Principal of FANTÁSTICA, leading placemaking, design, and branding projects.  FANTÁSTICA specializes in transformative projects to revitalize underutilized assets and unlock economic potential. He's worked on the creation of the first New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) public plaza in Dumbo’s Pearl Street Triangle, development of the citywide standard for DOT Street Seats with locations in Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, Hudson Yards, and East New York; the design of Downtown Brooklyn’s popular holiday lights display; and design of the outdoor spaces for the Dumbo Heights development in the Brooklyn Tech Triangle. He's also a co-founder of Oonee, a smart, modular, customizable pod that provides secure parking for scooters and bicycles as well as public space amenities. Oonee is currently raising money on Republic - if you're interested you can find the link in the show notes. 

In this episode we talk about how we can co-create more vibrant public spaces, the impact of COVID-19 on public spaces, and how to transform short-term public space experiments into long term policies so we can all have better public spaces. 

Show Notes: https://distillcreative.com/blog/10/27/21/public-space-design-with-j-manuel-mansylla-ep-21

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This week on First Coat we have Mallory Rukhsana Nezam. Mallory is a cross-sector culture-maker who loves cities and believes that we have the tools to make them more just and joyful. She specializes in public art, creative placemaking/keeping/knowing, organizational development, strategic planning, facilitation and the public domain. Through her cross-sector practice, Justice + Joy, she engages stakeholders across sectors to de-silo the way we run cities and build new models of creative, interdisciplinary collaboration. 

In this episode we talk about using play and absurdity to create connections in public space, embedding artists into the process of city making, and how to use art and culture as a tool for transportation justice and equitable development.

Show Notes: https://distillcreative.com/blog/10/13/21/art-in-public-space-with-mallory-rukshana-nezam-ep-20
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Learn more about Distill Creative’s art consulting services. 

Are you an artist? Sign up for our Distill Directory and you’ll be considered for art commissions and future projects. 

Support the show

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