A Year in Review

This blog started about 12 months ago and since then a lot of things have happened for me and my art. So in the spirit of the New Year, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on the past year.

In February, I had my first experience curating the group show Anxiety Dreams. Six months of preparation with my curating partner Ellen Mueller, and the exhibition was a wonderful success. Paired with Altered Esthetics' Bitter Fruit, the opening was packed. The exhibition also received several positive reviews, including one in MinnPost:

"Torgerson and Mueller have an eye for creating a cohesive show of up-and-comers." - Molly Priesmeyer

I was also the featured artist for Altered Esthetic's February exhibition, Bitter Fruit. My print, Stitch & Bitch, was featured on the show's postcards and included in the gallery's 2008 calendar.

I am Fine was also included in Self-Evident: Contemporary American Self-Portraiture at the Claypool-Young Gallery during the same month.

In March I moved in to my first shared studio on Lake and Chicago, which would soon be named Camphor Studios.

Two of my prints were included in Minneapolis 55408 at Intermedia Arts. And Molly Priesmeyer gave a lovely interpretation of my work as a part of a review for MinnPost.com.

May saw the completion on the first drawing in the ill series, titled COBRA.

Summer peaked in June, and we celebrated with Art Soak Yard Sale our first public event at Camphor Studios.

My first international exhibition occurred in August when I was included in Old School at UPPERCASE gallery in Alberta, Canada. The exhibition featured my new screen print, Nature/Nurture. A beautiful little book of the exhibition was also published by the gallery.

I finished Loss (the second of in ill series) in September, and then promptly left for New York City for a week of museums and adventures!

October was the highlight of my year. I am Fine and ThinkGirl Posters were included in the Sixth Minnesota National Print Biennial. I am Fine received purchase awards from both the Weisman Art Museum and the Minnesota Museum of American Arts. This marked the first inclusion of my art into a museum's permanent collection! It was also the first time my work was mentioned in the Star Tribune as a part of a review of the Biennial. I was fortunate to be complimented in a largely critical article. A catalog was also produced showing a select grouping of artwork from Biennial exhibition, of which I am Fine was included.

I created stickers and magnets that were included in the Prints Gone Wild print fair in Brooklyn, NY as a part of Bikini Press International's booth. Both the magnets and stickers are now for sale in my online shop and at Soo VAC's store.

Throughout the year, my website was continuously updated and expanded to feature new art and information!

Finally, November saw my first collaborative project Nite Lite. Built with the other members of Camphor Studio, Nite Lite continues to shine in the Shoebox Gallery into the New Year.

What a wonderful year! Thank you to all my friends, family and patrons supported me in this past year.

Happy New Year!

Nite Lite- Phase 4

Even in the bitter cold Nite Lite keeps expanding; like frost on a window pane.

Watch Nite Lite grow through the rest of the year!

Nite Lite runs from Saturday Nov 8, 2008-Saturday Jan 3, 2009.
The Shoebox Gallery is a display window in the Roberts Shoe Store, just to the right of 2948 Chicago Ave S, Mpls, MN and is available to view 24/7.

Adding to Nite Lite

If you have been curious about how we manage to add to Nite Lite without altering the structure, this peek may shed some light.

It is tricky and creates quite a spectacle, but it allows Nite Lite to grow!

Nite Lite- Phase 3

Nite Lite keeps growing:

Half way through its run, Nite Lite continues to evolve. Stop by every week to see the updates.

Nite Lite runs from Saturday Nov 8, 2008-Saturday Jan 3, 2009.
The Shoebox Gallery is a display window in the Roberts Shoe Store, just to the right of 2948 Chicago Ave S, Mpls, MN and is available to view 24/7.

Nite Lite Progress

Nite Lite has grown since its opening on November 8th.


And it will continue to grow weekly until January. Nite Lite is on display at Lake Street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis until the first week of January. Check it out regularly in person or stop by here for updates.


Nite Lite runs from Saturday Nov 8, 2008-Saturday Jan 3, 2009.
The Shoebox Gallery is a display window in the Roberts Shoe Store, just to the right of 2948 Chicago Ave S, Mpls, MN and is available to view 24/7.

Nite Lite Opening

AHere are some additional images of the Nite Lite opening last night.Camphor Studio members: Helen Franzen, Julia Kouneski, Lindsay Noble, Tonja Torgerson, and Patrick Vincent. Photo by Sean Smuda.

Nite Lite from across the street, at dusk before the opening. Photo by Patrick Vincent.

A video of the opening party, by Shoebox Gallery Director Sean Smuda.

Thank you to all who attended the opening; to the Shoebox Gallery for the opportunity to exhibit in such a unique space; and to Isles Bun & Coffee Co. for providing the warming refreshments.

Nite Lite runs from Saturday Nov 8, 2008-Saturday Jan 3, 2009.
The Shoebox Gallery is a display window in the Roberts Shoe Store just to the right of 2948 Chicago Av S, Mpls, MN

Nite Lite Opened Tonight

Thank you to all who attended the opening of Nite Lite tonight. Despite the chilly weather, we had a lovely turn out. I'll have more photographs up in the next few days. We plan to document the project thoroughly as it progresses over the next few months, and I'll post the updates here.Even the Pedal Cloud bike came to the opening!

Nite Lite runs from Saturday Nov 8, 2008-Saturday Jan 3, 2009. Since the Shoebox Gallery is a window display on Chicago Avenue, Nite Lite will be on 24/7 so stop by and see it anytime!

The Shoebox Gallery is a display window in the Roberts Shoe Store just to the right of 2948 Chicago Avenue S, Mpls, MN.

Nite Lite at the Shoebox Gallery

My studiomates and I have come together to work on our upcoming project, Nite Lite. For Nite Lite we will be transforming the Shoebox Gallery into a giant Lite Brite display!
Images of our work in progress can be found on our studio's blog.

An opening reception will take place on Saturday, November 8th from 5-7pm and will include an open studio and party afterwards.

Nite Lite runs from Saturday Nov 8, 2008-Saturday Jan 3, 2009.

The Shoebox Gallery is a display window in the Roberts Shoe Store just to the right of 2948 Chicago Avenue S, Mpls, MN
As winter intensifies, the days grow short and darkness plays a greater role in our daily lives. Religious and cultural celebrations such as Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, the Japanese Amatersu celebration and the Scandinavian Beiwe festival use human-created lights as ritual during this season. These manifestations of light are shared across age groups just as they are shared cross-culturally. Focusing on the magic these traditions hold for children, we have created our own illumination for this season. The project emulates the Hasbro© Lite Brite — a once common holiday gift of our generation. In many ways this toy was our first introduction to a canvas, its black surface tilted up towards us to be decorated with glowing plastic pegs. By magnifying this simple toy's scale, the Shoebox Gallery is transformed into a playful celebration of light in these dark days of winter. Camphor Studios is: Helen Franzen, Julia Kouneski, Lindsay Noble, Tonja Torgerson and Patrick Vincent.

More information can be found at:
http://mnartists.org/event.do?rid=209483

Art Soak Yardsale Photos

After some delay, here are the images of the Art Soak Yardsale and party that ensued on June 14th. Thanks again to all who came. And for those who were not able to make it, here's a little taste of what you missed:

Setting up on the street.

Free Hair Cuts!

A few of the items for sale.

Switzerlind performing on our tiny stage.

Midsommeren

Yesterday was the longest day of the year. I spent that time working on my print for the upcoming book and exhibition at UPPERCASE Gallery of Canada. My plans are for a three color hand-pulled screenprint, stemming from my Girly series.

Image of first color drying on the line.

Soaked

Yesterday's Art Soak Yardsale was quite an event.

Art was sold, free haircuts and lemonade given out. It was nice to have street interaction with the neighborhood in addition to the more sheltered studio space three floors above. That evening Switzerlind played a great set in the middle of a lightning storm. People were kind of enough to solider the weather and arrive at the party dripping wet. The evening finished with DJ'ed a dance party in the studio next door that went into the wee hours of the morning. Thank you to everyone on who came to either the sale or the party, and a special thank you to Switzerlind for hauling an organ up two flights of stairs to play for us!!

Julia took pictures to the event, and I will be posting them shortly, so check back often!

If you were not able to make it to the sale and you are interested in purchasing my artwork, please go to my website's gallery and then contact me via email to purchase the work.

New Series on Website

In an ongoing effort to add more content to my website, I have added another series of photographs. Despite the fact that the photographs were taken in Minneapolis, the environment and resulting images reminded me greatly of my childhood home and are thus titled 'Farmland'. The series was completed about two years ago, with a borrowed 35mm camera as mine had recently been stolen. The little images (approx. 3" by 4") have decorated my apartments ever since, but since I still shoot with film they were never digitalized until now.

I have added 10 images from this series unto my website. The entire series of photographs, including many not featured on my website, will be for sale on June 14th at the Art Soak Yardsale at Camphor Studios.

Please check it out.

Art Soak Yardsale- June 14th

A reminder that there will be an Art-Sale-Exhibition-Party-Extravaganza on June 14th at Camphor Studios.

Artists whose art will be featured and for sale include:
Patrick Vincent
Helen Franzen
Tonja Torgerson
Julia Kouneski
Sam Hoolihan
Ellen Mueller


Camphor Studios is located on Lake and Chicago on the third floor of the Robert Shoes Building.

The Art Soak Yardsale will run all afternoon, starting at 3pm, with a chance to meet the artists and get great deals on art.

The evening will feature an exhibition of work recently created by the studio members to celebrate the establishment of Camphor Studios.

One of my favorite local bands, Switzerlind, will be joining us in the fun. Music will start at 8pm.
Hope to see you there!

Camphor Studios

The art space finally has a name, Camphor Studios.

With the weather warming up, I have been spending more and more time at the studio. Its beautiful there. I am planting a small container garden of edible flowers and vegetables (including this lovely viola above). And, of course, working away on the self-portrait series.

Thank you to all who came to the party last night. It was a lot of fun. We are planning many more events for the summer. The first being an art sale and opening party on June 14th. Hope to see you there!

New Studio

I have moved into a new studio on Lake and Chicago, in the same building as the Shoebox Gallery. The screenprinting area is not set up quite yet, but I thought I would share some photographs of the space.
As well as what I am currently working on.