Aug 20

Fall classes start on September 6. Here is my all-star line up:
Performance Projects with Tony Schwenson
Advanced Painting Seminar: Writing with Ethan Murrow
Video Directed Study with Art Jones
Grad Group Crit with Steve Lambert

Summer was too short. I managed to move some projects forward, begin some new work, read, research, and submit some proposals. Here's a summary:
-Studio visit with Jen Mergel, Beal Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
-Submitted a proposal to UFORA You First at Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
-Lead Artist, Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston's June Art Lab project which was related to their exhibition, The Record: Contemporary Art and Vinyl
-Independently designed and lead two workshops, Working on a Grand Scale
-Facilitated a critique group for Essex Art Center
-Designed and lead a two-day Performance Art workshop for Essex Art Center
-Met with Liora Beer, Art Morpheus for whom I will be creating a project for Summer 2012
-My work was included in Boston Young Contemporaries exhibition at Boston University's 808 Gallery. Cate McQuaid mentioned my work in her review of the exhibition in the Boston Globe.
-Work in Samson Project's Chain Letter, a global exhibition
-Started a discussion blog with classmate about readings of Jane Jacob's work
-Submitted Conversation Facilitation Devise to Aspect: The Chronicle of New Media Art's call for proposals for Volume 19: Communication
-Met with students from Student Immigration Movement to pitch a collaborative project. They have indicated that they are interested and we're working out the details
-Began collaborative critique/discussion group, ufuckingtopia, with classmates
-Three images in Signs of Our Times, curated by Ivana Rezek, at Palach Galerija, Rijeka, Croatia, October
-Contacted Design Studio for Social Intervention to meet with them
-Completed content for Bandana project which will go to print in early September
-Purchased Canon 7D camera for video and still imagery
-Designed project for Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston's September Art Lab project which is about communication and related to exhibition by Swoon. I will lead this project at the ICA in September.
-Preparing to update my work in the Flatfile at Artspace, New Haven, CT

Read:
Dark Age Ahead, Jane Jacob
Culture of Complaint, Robert Hughes

Researched online and in print:
Lucy Orta
Harrell Fletcher
Fiona Banner
Tania Bruguera
Walid Raad
Allison Smith
Allora & Calzadilla
Laurel Nakadate

Aug 7

Cate McQuaid from the Boston Globe included mention of my photograph in her review of the Boston Young Contemporaries exhibition.

Fall classes start in about a month and I'm working to complete (at least some of) the reading, writing, and research goals I set out for summer. I've started a new project which I'll write about in the next few weeks, and which will inform the direction of my work, likely through thesis.

Upcoming will be a summary of what I've accomplished over the Summer break.

Jun 2

I'm honored to have my performance project, Where the arms hook onto the body, included in Orange County Historical Museum's Local Histories exhibition, curated by elin o'Hara slavick, in Hillsborough, NC, June 3- July 6, with a closing reception on June 24. http://www.orangenchistory.org/events.htm

Summer Workshops at 250 Canal Street, Lawrence with Cathy McLaurin

Hello. I'm writing to invite you to participate in workshops that I'm leading this summer at 250 Canal Street in Lawrence. This 2000 square foot studio with north-facing windows has the best natural light. Please share this information with anyone whom you feel will be interested in it. Contact me with questions: 978-387-2947. I look forward to working together with you in one or more of these workshops! Summer Workshops Saturday, June 11: Working on a Grand Scale, Session I Saturday, June 18: Working on a Grand Scale, Session II Wednesday, June 29: Collagexplorium Saturday, July 9: Visual Journaling for Teens Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16: Decoupage Furniture & Objects Friday, August 5: Objects of Eccentricity Working on a Grand Scale: Only a few spots left for each date! Do you feel compelled to work very large, but don't have the space to work on a grand scale? Join us for this workshop, to create large paper canvases and spend the day exploring multiple media in a layering up and digging through process. You might choose to incorporate: collage, tea wash, stenciling, drawing, layering, stitching, sanding, rubbing, image transfer, and more. We will have a full day in this beautiful North-facing mill studio with large walls and high ceilings. I will bring lots of materials and references to inspire you as you play, experiment, and work with abandon. All materials are included; however, once you register, I will send a list of additional suggested materials that you also might want to bring along. One day: Session I June 11 Saturday, 10-4 Session II June 18 Saturday, 10-4 Fee: $100 per session including all material* Collagexplorium: The materials we use for creative expression can be found literally at our feet. Join me on a tantalizing exploration of unusual and unexpected materials in collage-making. For 20+ years I have been hunting and gathering treasured bits of paper, cloth, trinkets, and detritus. Through hands-on projects and thought-provoking instruction, students will learn the varied methods of selection and assembly this limitless palette demands. No previous experience is required; all that's needed is enthusiasm and the desire to work with your hands. Whatever your present focus or skill level, you will come away with new insights into the possibilities of your surroundings. One day: June 29 Wednesday, 10-2 Fee: $60 + $20 materials = $80* Visual Journaling for Teens (age 14+): Starting with an existing book as the structure, take inspiration from materials and your own unique voice, to create journals that incorporate words and images. You will learn techniques that you can continue to work with on your own to make visual journaling part of your regular practice. One day: July 9 Saturday, 10-3 Fee: $50 + $20 materials = $70* Decoupage Furniture & Objects: Bring your own small furniture and other objects to transform into one-of-a-kind functional art. We will start by covering a light switch plate to learn the basics, and then move on to designing and covering your objects. Course instruction will include: a brief history of decoupage, proper preparation of surface, including addressing special issues and materials such as metal, or objects that will be exposed to heavy use, tools and tips, creating an interesting design, through to finishing the piece with varnish. After completing this course, any surface in your home will be a potential "canvas" for your work. (Yes, we'll talk about decoupaging walls, as well!) Provided: Light switch plates, adhesives, decorative papers, antique papers and images, varnishes, brushes, miscellaneous materials and tools. You bring: small chest of drawers, bedside table, tray, jewelry box - objects in metal or wood to transform. Two day: July 15 & 16 Friday and Saturday, 10-3 each day Fee: $195 + $30 materials = $225* Objects of Eccentricity: Do you love to make things with materials that have seen life? - stitching into books and paper, repairing, darning, wrapping, making jewelry and objects of eccentricity. Inspired by the treasures I provide, we will combine the wonderful old fabrics, trinkets, broken bits, scraps, images and threads with the items from your personal collections to make inspirational mementos, including miniature works that can become a brooch, pendant, or other unique wearable piece. One day: August 5 Friday, 10-4 Fee: $80 + $25 materials = $105* To register, mail payment to: Cathy McLaurin 69 Hawke Lane Danville, NH 03819 Coming in the Fall Art, Practice, Play and Dialogue: a weekly course that engages conversation and making around contemporary art practice. Collaged Gift Tag Workshop: just in time for holiday homemade gift giving. *Payment plans available, just ask. Email or call me with any questions: cathy@cathymclaurin.com 978-387-2947 Sincerely, Cathy McLaurin www.cathymclaurin.com http://cathymclaurin.blogspot.com/

May 28

Just received notice that my work was selected for inclusion in Boston Young Contemporaries July 15 - August 14 at 808 Gallery at Boston University. Jurors include: Jen Mergel, Beal Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Dina Deitsch, Associate Curator at Decordova Museum.

Feb 18

On Feb 15 I made a series of performance interventions in the Waterlooplein Market in Amsterdam. This market has vendors with old and new items, but mostly with vintage clothing, including military and costume.

Feb 14

I'm in Rotterdam, heading to Amsterdam today. Few days spent at Art Rotterdam Fair and then at Boijmans Museum (Hella Jongerius, Gabriel Lester, and Pipilotti Rist installation - giant rope net with pillows to recline on called "Let your hair down", with video, including her 1990 "You called me Jacky") and Kunsthal Museum.