I’ve always loved robots. A robot can be a fearless hero, a terrifying, destructive juggernaut or a loyal companion … depending on how he’s built and programmed. Why do I say “he” and not “it?” Because every robot that I make represents some part of me, some aspect of my personality. Or, perhaps, they just reflect my mood at the time I’m making them. “Newsbot” actually has a job- he sells newspapers! That’s a lot more than what most of my creations do. Most of them get to sit around all day, just looking pretty. Nice work if you can get it!
I was born in 1963, the child of a weaver and a photographer. I was always encouraged to put things together AND take them apart, although often the things taken apart ended up either staying that way or going back together in an entirely new way. Because I have a short attention span, I failed to excel in the academic world, although I find the process of learning things when I want to learn them to be as pure a joy as I believe it’s possible to experience. Our wasteful world is filled with things for me to disassemble and explore, and often the best things are free for the taking. I can surround myself with lofty notions of Reducing, Re-using and Recycling but in the end I’m just too cheap to afford oil paints or bronze like a REAL artist. My short attention span also came in handy in the business world, enabling me to sample from a vast smorgasbord of employment experiences. At various times in my life I’ve been a neon-sign maker, cook, record-store manager, roadie, nuclear medicine shielding technician, cameraman, and even an art teacher. About a decade ago I discovered a whole community of Misfit Toys like myself that gather yearly in the Black Rock Desert just to build and burn things, and ever since then I’ve been trying to share the Burning Man experience with those in what the Burners call The Default World. There’s something for everyone out there and I encourage you to investigate. And if you’ve got a minute, try finding something broken and taking it apart.
Location of ArtBox: Old Burdick’s mall entrance
Additional pieces of work on the KIA Interactive Gallery site: http://www.kiarts.org/page.php?menu_id=153
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/steven.curl1?sk=wall
E-mail: sscurl@aol.com
Phone: 269.373.2819
N.I.B.S., YO! is an artist collective that focuses on temporarily redecorating the urban outdoors. Past projects include the Grand Rapids “It’s Yours, Take It” Art Prize 2010, The Kalamazoo Owl Tree, and the recently completed Newmind Group mural.
Adam Miller is a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo and a student at WMU. He plans on teaching math and physics in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. He has learned how to paint from classes at the KIA, books at the KPL, by reproducing paintings he admires, talking to the great local artists, and through trial and error.
I grew up in Kalamazoo and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education from Western Michigan University. Art has always been an important part of my life and as an art educator I hope to spread my passion for the arts to others and keep the fine arts in schools. Arts advocacy is very important to me, so when this project was announced, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. My ArtBox is a reflection of this city we call home and highlights certain parts of the city that have been important in my life. As I stand here about to embark on a career and new journey I find myself reflecting on all the pride I feel for my hometown and the state of Michigan. We are all lucky to be a part of this historical community that embraces the arts, is home to a ground-breaking education reform, and is surrounded by the endless natural beauty of lakes and forests that Michigan has to offer. I hope that when others view my ArtBox they may share this appreciation, as well and work hard to keep Kalamazoo a growing and lively community.
Karen Vosburg has immersed herself in the calligraphic arts for 20 years, taken countless workshops and classes and discovered any number of other mediums along the way. She loves to bring her joy of lettering into all of them, especially silk painting. Having taught students ages 10 to 100, she makes it her mission to introduce the beauty and function of calligraphy to the world.
Bonnie Pfingst is a lifelong artist who has studied all over the state of Michigan, finally calling Kalamazoo home. Mild-mannered copy shop girl by day, creative cyclone nights and weekends – she spends her time in her Tiny Studio located in the Park Trades Center. Her favored tools are paper, ink, scissors, glue and paint. She enjoys turning straw into gold.
Since she was young, Cathy Germay has always had an interest in the arts, so when she had to decide on a career path, she easily chose fine arts, and attended College for Creative Studies in Detroit. In 2005, she graduated with honors and received her BFA in fine arts. A lifetime resident of Kalamazoo County, Cathy returned to Portage after college and soon secured a studio at the Park Trades Center in room #406.
Rhino Media is a collective group of creative types producing high-quality and clever photography, video and design for businesses (large and small), non-profit groups and churches. We are passionate about the relationships we develop personally and professionally.