Casey Whittier, this year’s recipient of the Sister Dennis Frandrup Artist Residency, will have an Open Studio, on Wednesday (Feb. 28, from 7-8:30 p.m.) in the Saint John’s University Art Center Auditorium. Some of her current work will be on display and Whittier will be available to discuss and answer questions. Her studio is located above the gallery, and refreshments will be available.
In her current studio practice, Whittier is interested in the metaphorical and philosophical power of visual art and the ways in which the ceramic material creates direct connections between the geology of the earth, basic human needs and complex metaphysical desires. Repetitive processes and systems of reliance are often used as metaphors for interconnectedness.
Whittier teaches ceramics and social practice at the Kansas City Art Institute and works from her home studio. Whittier was named a 2020 Emerging Artist by Ceramics Monthly Magazine. She serves as vice president for Artaxis.org and more of her work can be found at caseywhittier.com.
The Sister Dennis Frandrup Artist Residency is for emerging to mid-career artists. Recipients are chosen based on the submission of a portfolio and a proposal of how a six-week work period would benefit their artistic practice. Artists chosen receive a stipend and accommodations that include studio space and access to equipment and supplies. They also are able to stay at the Collegeville Institute, near the SJU campus.
Facilities on both the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s campuses include capacity for papermaking, printmaking, darkrooms, a Mac lab with scanners and inkjet printers, a video editing lab, woodshop and studios for photography, ceramics, book arts and sculpture.
In the past five years, visiting artists have included the collaborative duo of Adam Eckstrom and Lauren Was in 2018, Lourdes Gonzalez Osnaya in 2019, Katayoun Amjadi in 2020, Shen Xin in 2022 and Corey Antis in 2023.
This clay wall hanging is an example of the work of Casey Whittier, who is the current Sister Dennis Frandrup Artist in Residency at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.
This is an example of Whittier’s clay sculptures, titled “Half of Living is Mourning” made with earthenware and fishing line.