Meet Elise: Exhibitions Coordinator
Born and raised in the Funeral Industry, Elise learned at a young age the value of life and the preciousness of time. After leaving her small hometown in Illinois, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, concentrated in ceramics, from the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. Elise considers her work a direct reflection of her emotional state. Not limiting herself to material bounds, she describes her artistic process as therapeutic and uses art to process hardships and celebrate her life experience. Elise studied oil painting under the guidance of David Anderson and Pat Bereskin at Bereskin Gallery and Art Academy in Bettendorf, Iowa. Through spending her spare time outside, Elise uses nature to inspire, whether making landscapes by squishing clay under her feet in the rain or blowing glass in the Glass Lab at Englewood Arts in Independence, Missouri. She continues her practice by collaborating with other creatives and investigates forms and surfaces by manipulating material in ways she would approach different mediums. Through capturing light and little moments in time, Elise hopes to leave a glimmer of empathy in the world.
Studios Inc. Assistant Gallery Manager Jaede Bayala recently interviewed Clark as part of our series highlighting Artists-in-Residence and their artistic process.
Q: How has your experience at Englewood informed your new position as the Exhibitions Coordinator at Studios Inc.?
A: Having a lot of creative liberty with my own work and exploring installation and lighting which has been a big help at Studios Inc. Working with my own work and others’ art curatorially is really exciting.
Q: What has been your favorite experience so far at the gallery?
A: My favorite experience so far has to be curating Gerry Trilling’s show. I am so honored to be a part of an experience that holds so much inspiration and legacy within the community.
Q: Are there specific skills you have been working on growing as an Exhibition Coordinator?
A: Definitely communication and installation skills. I am a known “eyeballer,” so getting comfortable with measuring again has been fun!
Q: What would be your dream show to curate?
A: If I were to curate a show, I would want the viewer to experience what it would be like to be in someone else’s shoes. I’m just excited to work with a lot of different materials and artists because I think no matter who or what I’m working with will be a source of inspiration for my own practice.
Q: What projects are you excited about for the future, both at Studios Inc. and within your studio practice?
A: I’m excited to get better at installations and flex my curatorial skills. I’m eager for more experience and collaboration.