Congratulations to Sammy McPherson, a 2012 graduate of Fine Arts in Metals and Jewelry, who was selected for a residency program at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts.
McPherson’s metal work has been featured in exhibits in the United States and abroad. In her artist statement, she explains that her inspiration comes from nature, “to discover the unseen hidden beneath or within an object inspires me to share my imagination and fascination of what could be.”
According to McPherson, the credit for helping her discover ways to display her art goes to Sarah Perkins, her metals and jewelry professor. “She has always encouraged students to show their work and submit it to shows locally and nationally,” explains McPherson.
McPherson learned of the residency program through CaFE (Call for Entry), one of the many websites she searches for exhibition opportunities. She applied for the residency, and then tried to forget about it. “Rejection is a part of the business. When I apply to a show, I submit the application, set the piece side as if it was already booked for that show or exhibition, and then I forget about it,” explains McPherson. “Eventually I will receive notice of acceptance or non-acceptance. I find that rejection is easier that way. However, the artist residency at Brush Creek Ranch was hard to forget about!” Of over 130 artists who applied for the residency, McPherson’s unique and impressive portfolio landed her a residency spot.
Brush Creek in Wyoming is a non-profit organization offering time and space for artistic exploration for visual artists, writers, musicians and composers from all backgrounds, level of expertise, media and genres. McPherson’s four-week residency is scheduled in January. During the residency, she has the opportunity to develop her work in an inspiring setting. “I am only taking a few of my tools out to Wyoming, mainly I am leaving power tools and my hammers. It will challenge my way of working. I want to use this opportunity to incorporate foreign objects in to my work, items that I find interesting. This will be an adventure unlike any other, from the 1,000 miles in my 2-door car packed with tools, to the four weeks in beautiful Wyoming back country and solitude. I am looking forward to the possibilities,” she adds.
McPherson is currently selling her work at local and regional venues, and online through her Etsy shop, McPherson Boutique. The first shipment of her earrings just left for a gift shop at the Metals Museum in Memphis, Tenn.