Jen & Juice: A Collaborative Playdate with Jen Clay

Join Artist-in-Residence Jen Clay for a cup of juice and an immersive and hands-on workshop exploring her innovative approach to creating vibrant, quilted artwork. Participants will dive into the unique process of painting and spraying dyes directly onto fabric, achieving a stunning watercolor-like effect. With a focus on reclaimed materials, attendees are encouraged to bring their own bedsheets, fostering sustainability and a personal connection to the final creations.

While participants will not be quilting, the dyed pieces they create will become part of Jen's future artworks, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to her artistic process. The workshop is designed to be sensory inclusive, creating an inviting and accessible environment for everyone to explore their creativity.

Jen Clay will also share her artistic journey through an engaging artist talk, offering a glimpse into her inspirations and creative process. Expect a lively experience with interactive elements such as surprising interruptions, playful performances, and opportunities for the audience to engage through whimsical props like church fans emblazoned with quirky sayings.

Key Details:

• What to Bring: A reclaimed bedsheet or other fabric for dyeing.
• Duration: Workshop: 2 hours; Artist Talk: 45 minutes.
• Who Should Attend: Open to all levels; no prior experience required. Family Friendly

Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate, experiment, and gain a deeper understanding of the artistry behind quilted storytelling. Leave with your own piece of dyed fabric and the satisfaction of contributing to Jen’s ongoing creative journey!

About the Artist:

Born in 1985 in Mountain View, NC, Jen Clay earned a BFA from UNCC Charlotte and an MFA from UFL in 2014. After relocating to South Florida, Clay showcased work at the Girls Club Collection, Norton Museum of Art, MOCA North Miami, and Miami Light Box. Notable installations include "Soft Sanity" (2019) and "Welcome to You&Me" (2019), created for neurodiverse children. Residencies at Oolite Arts, Atlantic Center for the Arts, and a regional Emmy for "The Texture of Anxiety" followed. Supported by a Knight Arts New Work Award, Clay debuted a quilt-composed video game and installation at Locust Projects in 2023.

Clay's art features sewn textiles of mainly non-human figures, inspired by creatures from cosmic horror stories and hallucinatory experiences to embody mental health struggles. She aims to create a comforting atmosphere to approach themes of fear and anxiety.

Jen Clay is based in Miami, FL, and is represented by Emerson Dorsch Gallery.