Exchange Visitor

When Science Meets Art: Conserving Asian Paintings

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Tucked away between the busy streets of Washington D.C. is the small but mighty Nishio Conservation Studio. This studio, which was been comfortably operating in their custom-made lofted space since 1995, combines aspects of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern Western science to provide the highest quality conservation work for their clients. Focusing primarily on conserving Asian paintings, folding screens (called byōbu), and hanging scrolls (called kakemono), the artists at Nishio’s Studio bring these artworks back to life with the utmost care and vibrancy.

Yu-Ting Hsu is a student at the Graduate Institute of Conservation of Cultural Relic and Museology at Tainan National University of Arts in Taiwan. Her specialization is in Conservation of Paper and Asian Paintings, making Nishio’s studio the perfect place for her J-1 visa program. During her internship, she learned how to approach conservation in a professional setting and how to examine and prepare paintings for treatment by making starch paste, cutting papers, and cleaning brushes. For her final project, she even made her own Japanese style scroll! When Yu-Ting was not on site at Nishio’s, she explored hiking trails in Virginia and visited the many free museums that D.C. has to offer.

Before the end of the program, the Cultural Exchange Programs team was able to visit with Yu-Ting at Nishio’s for a full day of conservation education. Did you know that in order to achieve rich blue and green colors on byōbu, artists would use crushed azurite and malachite? Now you do! Scroll on to see what else Yu-Ting shared with us.

What was a project you enjoyed working on during your program?
There is a four-panel screen from Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA). The artist is Chiura Obata. The object was in poor condition. The screen had spilt into two sections. Overall discoloration was present in the paper and foxing spots* were present throughout the panels. I took part in the whole process of conservation of the four-panel screen. We started with removing the painting from wooden border, then removing backing paper. After consolidating the color, we bleached the foxing spots and washed the painting. In the mid-October, conservators and curators from the UMFA visited studio to check the four-panel screen. They were satisfied with the after-treatment condition!

*Foxing spots are brown and rust colored spots that appear on old paper. If the paper has a certain level of iron or other substances present in it, exposure to a specific temperature and humidity will create the foxing.

What was an interesting new skill you learned on the job?
My host taught me how to make a Japanese hanging scroll. I learned a lot of Japanese mounting knowledge from the panel screen and Japanese hanging scroll, which I don’t have opportunities to learn in Taiwan. For example, the fiber of Japanese paper is longer than Chinese paper, so there are different ways in backing the paper for mounting.

What did you learn about the arts culture in America? What was your favorite cultural activity?
I had visited a lot museum, like National Gallery of Arts, Freer Gallery of Arts, and The Kreeger Museum. I saw collections that I had not seen it before. My host had arranged for me to visit the conservation lab at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Those experiences helped me to get more information not only conservation cases but also the network.

The most impressive [activity] was the concert at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. My host is involved in a band and he invited me to the performance. My favorite song in the concert was “Moon River”. I really enjoyed it!

 

 

Want to learn more about byōbu? Check out this video on the history of Japanese folding screens, directly from Nishio's Studio!

Alumni Spotlight: Amy Bruning

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Welcome to our first alumni spotlight of 2023! We are thrilled to feature J-1 research scholar, Amy Bruning, from Scotland. Amy is a mixed media artist who currently lives in Finland where she is pursuing her Master’s degree in animation. From August 2021 until May 2022, she participated in an Artists-in-Residency (AIR) program at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute (MWPAI) and within the PrattMWP College of Art and Design Program, which was a “truly life changing” experience for her!

Amy’s residency was nothing short of productive. Throughout the 9-month program, she planned and taught community art classes to adults and kids, and facilitated projects for the museum’s Art Alive projects. She also taught two Light, Color, and Design courses to university students as part of the College of Art and Design program. Most excitingly, Amy was able to create works for her own exhibition, Days of Healing, which explored the journey of healing from grief and trauma through the various stages of coping with loss.

Can you tell us what you have been doing since finishing your exchange program?
I am pursuing my Master’s with the Re:Anima: European Joint Master in Animation program.  It’s a collaboration between three universities, LUCA School in Belgium, Aalto University in Finland, and Universidade Lusófona in Portugal I am working on a research dossier for an expanded animation installation that I will be working on over the next two years. I recently put together an exhibition of animated projections and animated paintings, which was as part of the research and I will be taking this work further in May of this year during an artist residency in Italy.

Looking back, what are your thoughts about your exchange program?
I had a really amazing time on my exchange. It set me on a new career path and helped me to pursue what I truly wanted to do. Working as a community art instructor, as well as an adjunct professor at PrattMWP in Utica, New York, an extension campus of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, allowed me to rediscover my love of teaching.  I would like to pursue a teaching career in higher education when I finish my Master’s.

How did your experience contribute to your career outside the U.S. and in your home country?
I am now able to live and work as an artist. When I returned to Scotland, I was able to secure another 4-month artist residency. I received a full scholarship for this Master’s program, which allows me to work on my artistic practice freely for the next two years. Prior to the exchange, I was supporting myself by working as a designer and editor while trying to pursue my artistic practice in the evenings and weekends. It was quite difficult and I didn’t enjoy the jobs I had. This opportunity gave me a huge boost in my art career and I do not think I would be where I am now without it.

Do you have any specific advice for new exchange visitors coming to the U.S.?
As soon as you arrive, try to immerse yourself into the place you are staying. Ask everyone you meet to go for a coffee and just really put yourself out there. Say yes to every opportunity and try to travel as much as possible.

 

Audrey Hasen Taylor, Community Arts Education + Residency Director at MWPAI, also shared thoughts with us about Amy’s residency.

“Amy immediately became very active and involved in our local community. She initiated both personal and professional meetings and connections with a variety of creatives in our area; she was commissioned to create a mural in a new retail shop here in Utica. We cannot say enough great things about Amy. We are lucky to have a part in her early art and teaching career.”

We can't wait to see what Amy does next!

If you are a visual artist looking for Painting or Drawing residency, the AIR program that Amy attended is accepting applications through March 20, 2023. Learn more about the AIR program here, or send us as email at outreach@artsandartists.org to learn about our exchange opportunities.

Alumni Spotlight: Rory Diamond

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We are extremely excited to highlight our J-1 alum., Rory Diamond, from Canada. During his program at Sony Pictures in Los Angeles, Rory gained hands-on television writing experience in the Writers’ Room of the hit show, The Good Doctor. He also found time to experience life in California to the fullest by going to concerts, sporting events, and learning to surf!  He is now working as a Script Coordinator for The Good Doctor in Canada. Keep reading to join his wonderful journey in Hollywood!

 

What impact has your J-1 experience had on your life and your career?
I got to live in the city where the heart of my industry is, which not only was a dazzling life experience, but an eye-opening step in my career. I am now fully trained and able to Script Coordinate, a unique and valuable skillset, which grants access to the fabled Writers’ Room. I’m currently exploring ways to do it in Toronto for other Canadian shows. Not only has this allowed me to continue working on The Good Doctor from Canada, but also has opened many doors and created connections of which the value is difficult to measure.

What is your favorite memory from your J-1 program?
My favourite memory was of my first day being in the Writers’ Room. Just walking in and seeing the whiteboards covered in chicken scratch that may or may not be seen by millions of viewers. The free lunches, the coffee runs, the nervousness of speaking up, and the incredible feeling when something lands. By all accounts, deciding to be a TV writer is a silly decision, but in the Writers’ Room, those doubts seemed to melt into a warm sense of validation that I hold close to my heart.

What were some of your favorite cultural activities to do Los Angeles?
Eat delicious food and see amazing comedy and music. And if I could do both of those in one night, which was something I did often, I was a very happy boy. I loved living in Los Angeles. I saw my favorite band, Phish, play at The Forum, which is a classic venue I’ve always wanted to go to, which was a great experience. I did a lot of hiking, which you can’t really do in Toronto.

What advice can you offer to future exchange visitors coming to the United States?
Rent a furnished apartment if you can, to avoid the trouble of purchasing a bunch of furniture off Facebook Marketplace and then having to sell it all on Facebook Marketplace a year later. Sign up for classes and meet people. Go to as many networking things as possible; make connections that will help you in the future, wherever you end up. Take advantage of the unique things your city has to offer. Hike, bike, eat, and have fun.

What does cultural exchange mean to you?
It’s the true definition of a win-win. It makes me happy and gives me hope that two countries can work together to provide such a wonderful program and experience for their constituents. I think anyone who is able to endeavor this experience would be better off for it.

Any last thoughts?
At this point, I think I could thrive in any Canadian Writers’ Room and I don’t know if that would have been the case a year ago. [The exchange] was an amazing experience.

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Rory!

Looking for a place to get started with your own exchange program? Check out our website to explore different fields or explore different cities!

Radio Reporting with Violette

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Welcome back to another exchange visitor profile! Today, we catch up with Violette, a J-1 intern from France who is completing her program at KPFA Radio in Berkeley, CA. Back in France, Violette is a journalism student at Sciences Po Rennes so her background in communications makes her a great fit for the KPFA team!

What are your day to day activities like?

Every morning I am assigned a story/event to cover in SF with the press release related to it. I prepare my interview questions and do some background research to get the context of the story. Then I go on the field, I record ambiance, statements and interview several people. I also take some pictures for [our] social media. Afterwards I go back to the radio station to write my script, edit the sound clips and send it to my editor for correction.

What kind of events do you report on?

I mainly work on social and political current events. The nature of the event can be very different depending on the topic. I’ve covered a rally to protest against a hospital closure, political meetings (city council of Berkeley, S.F. Board of Supervisors), and a protest to defend women’s reproductive rights. Sometimes I also work remotely in the radio station to cover political events that take place in Washington D.C.

What have you learned from your exchange program so far about American life and culture?

Field reporting is a great opportunity to learn about American culture and civilization! As an example, when I attend a political event, like the Board of Supervisors meeting, I learn a lot about the working of the American political system, which is really complex and so different from our French one. From a sociological point of view, protest and rallies are also a good occasion to understand what is at stake at the local level in San Francisco like homeless and affordable housing issues, gun violence, and racial inequalities. I was particularly surprised about the way the Silicon Valley and the tech culture impact the socioeconomic inequalities in the area.

How has this experience helped your English speaking skills so far?

I have to practice my written and spoken English every single day. I can write a news script in English. I have improved my ability to understand oral and written English without using a translation or extra help. My final goal would be to be able to record myself on my own report with a good English pronunciation.

We love hearing about our exchange visitor’s wonderful experiences. If you are an IA&A exchange visitor and would like to chat with us about your program, please send us an email!

Alumni Update: Hyppolite’s “Be the Peace” Walk

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IA&A #J1Alum and genocide survivor Hyppolite Ntigurirwa recently finished a 100-day walk across Rwanda to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. His “Be The Peace Walk” was a performance that invited individuals from around the world to spread messages of love and peace. As Hyppolite explained, “It is a performance of remembrance and resilience from brutality and fatalities towards a more peaceful future.”

Hyppolite is a performing artist, researcher, and activist whose work focuses on ending the intergenerational transmission of hate. In 2016, he participated in IA&A’s Exchange Visitor Program, completing an artist-in-residence program with Arts Connect International, an organization that cultivates and connects leaders in the arts field committed to cultural and social inclusion. Since then, he has continued to build peace through art and engagement. His current work focuses on using theater as a tool for healing, reconciliation, and peacebuilding in post-conflict communities both in Rwanda and abroad.

Hyppolite isn’t one to simply ask for change, and he hopes to inspire others to reject the complacency in non-action. The #BeThePeaceWalk started in his home village of Mibilizi on April 15 and ended in Kigali on July 25. At least twice a day, Hyppolite stopped to talk to those around him about their responsibility to seek peace. “What I experienced I never want any child to experience. That is what I have been telling the communities. The peace we want to leave for our children and the generations to come is the peace we have to work for today,” he said in an interview with The New Times. Through this walk and his other peace activism he honors the memories of his loved ones and all victims of the genocide. 

Learn more about IA&A's programs and start planning your exchange experience!

 

Artist Spotlight: Stevennina Drassinower

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IA&A’s Cultural Exchange Programs team recently sat down with Stevennina, an exchange visitor from Canada who interned with artist Zachary Oxman at his studio. We got to know Stevennina a bit more and learned about her artistic practice. Keep watching for “10 Questions with Stevennina” and go “Behind the Bronze” with this incredibly talented emerging artist! 

 

Learn more about IA&A's programs for emerging artists and start planning your exchange experience!

 

Pride and Allyship with Lucy

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Each June, individuals across the United States and around the world come together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. While Pride may mean many things to many people, it’s often understood to be a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’s accomplishments in the face of adversity and discrimination.

The beginning of Pride in the United States is often traced back to the Stonewall riots that occurred in the late 1960s in New York. On June 28, 1969, in Greenwich Village, police conducted a routine raid of the Stonewall Inn. This bar was popular among some of society’s most marginalized groups, including many members of the LGBTQ+ community. While raids were common at this time, unlike previous raids, the police force did not tip off the bar beforehand and arrived during the packed early morning hours. Officers roughed up patrons, confiscated bootlegged alcohol, and arrested over a dozen people for crimes like violating the state’s gender-appropriate clothing statute.

The bar’s LGBTQ+ patrons, many of whom were runaways and homeless youths, had finally had enough of unjust police aggression and social discrimination. The tipping point is rumoured to have been when an officer hit a lesbian over the head as he forced her into a police vehicle. She shouted at the crowd to act, and soon a full-blown riot with hundreds of participants began. For the next three days, these activists demanded respect and equal rights, galvanizing LGBTQ+ political activism in the public’s conscious.

Since the Stonewall riots fifty years ago, the United States has made progress in addressing the discrimination members of the LGBTQ+ community face. Some states have started offering non-binary gender markers for certain government-issued documents, while the Stonewall National Monument now encompasses the streets and sidewalks that were sites of the 1969 riot. Pride is observed each year in June, celebrating the diversity and plurality of these communities. It also brings visibility to the real issues members of the LGBTQ+ community still face, many of whom are targets of violence and hate. Pride brings awareness to the community and helps to combat that hate.

To celebrate Pride, IA&A is highlighting the diversity among those who have participated in our Exchange Visitor Program. We’re exploring what those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and allies experienced while participating in their exchange programs in the United States. Our intern Felix recently sat down with Lucy, an exchange visitor from the United Kingdom who interned at the digital branding and creative agency Sideways in New York. Keep reading for more on Lucy’s experience in New York and what she learned from her exchange program!

Lucy grew up in a small village outside of Leeds in the United Kingdom, and told Felix that when she worked at one of her local agencies almost all of her coworkers were straight men. Lucy identifies as a straight woman and didn’t think much about it at the time. Over the course of our conversation she walked Felix through the differences between American and English culture, and how this exchange led her to confront her implicit biases.

She recounted at time early in her program when she was asked to create a mood board for the company Aurora Elixirs. As Lucy said, "I created what I thought was a beautiful, mixed, stylized collection of imagery that both encapsulated and elevated the brand.” However, when her supervisor reviewed her work she pointed out that almost all the models were young, slim, white women. That conversation still resonates with her. “That constructive feedback, which is something I also learnt to receive with more grace and act on far more proactively, has stuck with me ever since, and instilled a more inclusive outlook on both my work, my behaviors and my understanding of the world,” she shared. In the same vein, she told us that, “working within a group of almost exclusively women and homosexual men allowed me to witness, understand, and appreciate diversity more than ever.”

Over the course of her internship, Lucy worked with many different luxury hotels, curating content for their social media accounts and helping further define their brands. She and her coworkers always made a point to feature diverse models, like when she designed an ad that featured both a straight and a gay couple instead of sticking to the client’s original, less inclusive request.

After her internship ended, Lucy flew to Los Angeles and took a road trip to the San Francisco Bay area, taking time to reflect on what she’d accomplished in the United States and brainstorm her next steps. In sharing her every move with her growing Instagram audience, she’s refined her storytelling abilities. She’s currently editing these video clips into a short film that’ll serve as a representation of her exchange experience.

Before her exchange program, Lucy knew she had a lot to learn about subjects like race and the LGBTQ+ community. She also admits she still has a lot to learn! In Leeds, it’s commonplace to describe something awkward or odd as “gay.” Over the course of her time in New York, Lucy learned how to be more than just an indifferent bystander. “Since coming back, I’ve noticed a big change in my behavior,” she told us. “When I hear certain words and phrases I’ll say something now. I’ve learned how to be an ally.”

Learn more about IA&A's programs and start planning your exchange experience!

 

Hungry for Adventure with Michał

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Through exchange programs, those in the creative fields can immerse themselves in different cultures by meeting new people and exploring new places. Cultural exchange enables them to share their talents and hone their skillset, while also broadening their perspectives. Seeing the world in a new light welcomes compassion, inspiration, and wisdom.

We caught up with Michał, an exchange visitor from Poland who completed a graphic design internship with Brooklyn-based creative office Labour. The studio heads and founders, Ryan Dunn and Wyeth Hansen, rarely take on interns. This was no obstacle for Michał, as he interned there twice, first in 2014 and again in 2016. During his internships, he worked directly with the studio heads on project concepts, illustration, and graphic design tasks. In his spare time, Michał was also able to visit museums, galleries, and other design studios.

Keep reading to learn more about his incredible experience in Brooklyn!

Looking back, what are your thoughts about your experience with Labour?

I felt very much a part of the team. It was a great privilege to work alongside Ryan and Wyeth. They say that their aesthetics overlap but their approaches are different. I’m glad I was there to see that dynamic and their design process. I like how they can keep an open mind and allow themselves to do brave explorations in order to find a perfect and unique solution. The amount of design history knowledge they have is impressive. It was very interesting and helpful to use these references while working on different concepts. As it usually is in smaller studios, we worked on many things. Branding, animations, web design, and more. One of the most interesting projects was the exhibition design for the Museum of Food and Drink. I learned how to approach such a massive task, break it down to smaller pieces, engage visitors, and tell stories through a variety of mediums.

What is your favorite memory from your exchange program?

During my internships I was introduced to other people from the industry and we visited a number of different design studios, parties, and events. I experienced a little bit of NYC’s design community. It felt like everyone knew everyone! I was happy to find out that it’s a supportive rather than competitive environment. A big highlight was meeting Lance Wyman on one of the rooftop parties in Manhattan. He designed the identity for the Mexico 1968 Olympics! An incredible experience that I will never forget. And I have to mention joining Chinatown Soccer Club for a few sessions in scorching NYC summer heat!

What was your favorite cultural activity to do in New York?

There are many great museums in New York, but the Museum of Food and Drink in Brooklyn is very special. Labour is not only responsible for their exhibition designs, but also has become an important partner of the museum. Attending a discussion panel led by Paola Antonelli featuring Ryan and Wyeth was one of my favorite cultural activities. It was inspiring to listen about designing for taste and smell and creating a shared experience among visitors. NYC is also an amazing place if you love live music. I was lucky to see some of my favorite bands as well as discover new names while exploring the clubs and music venues of the five boroughs.

What advice can you offer to future exchange visitors coming to the United States?

Most of my time in the United States I’ve spent in New York, which definitely is a special place. Every neighborhood is different, so I recommend exploring as much as possible, even trying to live in various parts of town. There are so many people subletting their rooms and apartments, especially during summer! I also recommend connecting with other creatives. Reaching out to people you look up to has never been easier. They are busy, but friendly! I need to follow that advice more as well. If you have a chance, travel to different states and explore the United States. It is a really beautiful country!

Museum of Food and Drink. Photo courtesy of Megan Swann. 

What are you up to now?

I’ve always been fascinated by the Scandinavian design and lifestyle. To see how it really is, I decided to move to Norway. Now, after almost two years in the north, I feel like it’s time for a new chapter. Every day, I’m trying to stay curious and learn as much as I can.

What do you think the future of graphic designing is?

More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of graphic design. Designers are more conscious of their role and our clients understand how powerful design can be. I see many people going back to basics, back to the roots of design, and getting inspired by nature. With that approach, modern tools, technology, and easily accessible knowledge, the future of graphic design looks exciting.

What impact has your exchange experience had on your life and your career?

My exchange experience allowed me to be more courageous and made me hungrier for new experiences. The people I met and worked with are the definition of passion. That passion is what makes their work outstanding. I’m lucky to have experienced that.

What does cultural exchange mean to you?

It means meeting people and listening to their stories. It means being curious and looking at the world with an open mind.

Learn more about IA&A's programs for designers and start planning your exchange experience!

 

Pride and Fashion with Nicole

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Each June, individuals across the United States and around the world come together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. While Pride may mean many things to many people, it’s often understood to be a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’s accomplishments in the face of adversity and discrimination.

The beginning of Pride in the United States is often traced back to the Stonewall riots that occurred in the late 1960s in New York. On June 28, 1969, in Greenwich Village, police conducted a routine raid of the Stonewall Inn. This bar was popular among some of society’s most marginalized groups, including many members of the LGBTQ+ community. While raids were common at this time, unlike previous raids, the police force did not tip off the bar beforehand and arrived during the packed early morning hours. Officers roughed up patrons, confiscated bootlegged alcohol, and arrested over a dozen people for crimes like violating the state’s gender-appropriate clothing statute.

The bar’s LGBTQ+ patrons, many of whom were runaways and homeless youths, had finally had enough of unjust police aggression and social discrimination. The tipping point is rumoured to have been when an officer hit a lesbian over the head as he forced her into a police vehicle. She shouted at the crowd to act, and soon a full-blown riot with hundreds of participants began. For the next three days, these activists demanded respect and equal rights, galvanizing LGBTQ+ political activism in the public’s conscious.

Since the Stonewall riots fifty years ago, the United States has made progress in addressing the discrimination members of the LGBTQ+ community face. Some states have started offering non-binary gender markers for certain government-issued documents, while the Stonewall National Monument now encompasses the streets and sidewalks that were sites of the 1969 riot. Pride is observed each year in June, celebrating the diversity and plurality of these communities. It also brings visibility to the real issues members of the LGBTQ+ community still face, many of whom are targets of violence and hate. Pride brings awareness to the community and helps to combat that hate.

To celebrate Pride, IA&A is highlighting the diversity among those who have participated in our Exchange Visitor Program. We’re exploring what those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and allies experienced while participating in their exchange programs in the United States. Our intern Felix recently sat down with Nicole, an exchange visitor from Canada who interned with womenswear fashion company Tanya Taylor Designs in New York. Keep reading for more on Nicole’s experience in New York and what she learned from her exchange program!

Do you identify as someone in the LGBT+ community?

I identify as a female who is pansexual. I came out because I wanted to live my life freely and with full positivity.

Have you noticed differences between Canadian and American LGBTQ+ culture?

The LGBTQ+ culture between the two countries is fairly similar. New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are larger metropolitan cities, which are more accepting of diversity. These cities have many LGTBQ+ friendly cafes and restaurants, that are quite fun and show a flare of creativity. Also, Pride parades vary quite differently between the United States and Canada. New York’s Pride is big, loud, and proud, while Vancouver’s Pride, hosted in my hometown, is much smaller and has a more “West Coast” approach. Vancouver's parade travels through the streets and ends with a beachside dance party with a surrounding art market and food vendors.

When did you create your clothing brand Phoexion?

I was inspired to create this brand shortly after I came out with my identity. It was at the time when I became connected to the concept of "Rising like a Phoenix," and associated this concept to spiritual growth. Similar to the metamorphosis that a butterfly undergoes. I was thinking conceptually about how the mythical Phoenix, is a bird that burns its previous body and sheds its previous skin, through which a new egg is hatched from the ashes, birthing a brand new phoenix bird. I believe that personal growth, evolution, and change are important for spirituality and in discovering your own identity. The Phoenix is what I use conceptually in my work to represent "coming out" which is typically known in LGBTQ+ culture. Currently, we need to empower that this action is an important step towards living a positive life for someone who is queer. However, I hope in the future we will no longer need to "come out" with our identities. The Phoenix is the perfect representation of your past and present self, which symbolizes acceptance, freedom, and liberation.

What guided you to its creation?

I come from a strong sculpture, painting and fine arts background. In my undergraduate studio practice, I explored the topic of sexuality and the body. Now my creative medium has taken shape through fashion. The seductive application of materials in Phoexion conjures the soul of a bird in the process of cultivating a new, stronger self, wearing its identity fashionably, and the vulnerability of self with pride; the difference between living one’s truth proudly and living in the ash darkness of a protective shell. My clothes represent a prideful armor; such as the "coat" of identity. I want my customers, to feel confident, artful and colorful when they wear my garments.

You've said that with your brand you are "creating creative clothing to support the LGBTQ+ community." Why is this important to you?

I want everyone to feel like they can wear my garments no matter how they identify. My brand represents inclusivity; Phoexion means Phoenix for the People. I want to empower the community by showing that they can be confident in their unique and different identities. My current slogan is “Find your Pride, Find your Pattern, Find your Phoexion.” I use this as a means to inspire. "Coming out" might be the first step towards living a positive life, but I believe that everyone is on a perpetual journey within themselves and towards positivity. I think its important to have a strong relationship with yourself, be kind, and be your own best friend.

Tell us a bit more about your internship with Tanya Taylor!

During my internship, I was responsible for rendering, editing, and revising sketches as well as placing prints for the spring and summer 2020 ready-to-wear collections. I have always loved textile design, and Tanya Taylor opened the possibilities of print mixing in my work. I learned how to mix two opposing prints and combine them in a garment. I also learned how to incorporate embellishments and curate a cohesive fashion collection. Design is very much about finding a sense of balance between different elements. This is the main skill I cultivated in my internship at Tanya Taylor.

You're currently interning with Tanya Taylor Designs for your exchange program, and you were featured in their Women Cut From Their Own Cloth series, with a focus on women making a difference in the LGBTQ+ community. Could you tell us about this initiative and how you felt to be a part of it? 

I was speaking with Tanya Taylor and she asked me why I want to be a designer and what I want to do with my brand. I told her about my brand and that my goal is to empower the LGTBQ+ community through creative clothing. It turns out that this was a great decision, because the brand was in the process of building out an initiative for WorldPride. The next week our senior marketing director asked to interview me as part of the initiative. I felt accepted, valued, and courageous. It's important to state that a third of the entire LGBTQ+ community is not out at work or in their careers because they are afraid that it may jeopardize those opportunities. This experience is a glowing example of what can happen when you are unafraid and confident.

What does cultural exchange mean to you? 

A cultural exchange is an opportunity to become integrated in a different environment and lifestyle than what you may used to. New York is an inspiring city; it's dynamic, vibrant, and artistic. My experience in New York is different every time, however the consistent variable is change. As an artist, it is crucial to put yourself out there constantly, while looking at the world through a lens of curiosity. This has always been a core aspect of who I am, and is part of why I choose to take risks, discover new places, and push myself out of my comfort zone. So, next time you make a decision, listen to Madonna's song "Jump" and take that leap of faith because you never know where it could land you!

Learn more about IA&A's programs and start planning your exchange experience!

 

Can you name five women artists?

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Can you name #5WomenArtists? We can! We’re joining the National Museum of Women in the Arts and other arts organizations around the world to celebrate women artists and promote gender equality in the arts.

This Women’s History Month, IA&A is taking the challenge and sharing the stories of several spectacular women artists who have participated in our Exchange Visitor Program. We are so proud to have such brilliant, creative, and inspiring women in our midst that it was so tough to choose only five! Read on to celebrate these artists and join us in contributing to the dialogue on gender inequality in the arts by using the hashtag #5WomenArtists.

Mia Riley

Hailing from Canada, Mia Riley is an emerging ceramic artist who finds inspiration while adventuring in nature. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design, she has also completed residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, researching wood kiln building, alternative making processes, and the natural disasters that have affected her home province in the last decade.

She recently finished an eight-month long internship with Harvard University’s Ceramics Program as part of IA&A’s Exchange Visitor Program. During her program, she had the opportunity to explore her own art practice and gain hands-on experience running studio operations.

As Mia says, ceramics allow her to depict abstractly her experiences into tangible three-dimensional objects, emphasizing the transience of landscape and subtly referencing our place within the natural system. Her favorite part of interning in Boston was being able to meet new artists and share experiences. “Because the Harvard studio is home to a large number of artists, professionals, and students at many stages of their careers, I had the chance to meet and exchange ideas on many levels,” she told us. “It has inspired me to see how ceramic art and pottery can exist in many different aspects in one’s life and career.”

To learn more about Mia, check out IA&A’s profile on this talented artist! You can also find out more about her work by visiting her website or following her on Instagram!

Romina Schulz Rosas

Romina Schulz Rosas is a Peruvian feminist textile artist and graduate with a painting specialty from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Her work focuses on exposing problems Peruvian women face under current socio-cultural taboos and constructs. More specifically, how female bodies have become territory and space under the colonizing gaze of a patriarchal, oblivious androcentric context which treats them as disposable.

Part of her effort to expose this phenomena is in the creation of her project, Que rico menstruo, where she gives embroidery workshops to begin to dismantle the stigma surrounding menstruation. As part of the project, Romina prompts interventions on pieces of clothing, focusing on the groin area, with materials of various shades of red, simulating a menstruation blood stain.

Romina is currently in the Artists in Residence (AIR) program at the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn, NY, through IA&A’s Exchange Visitor Program. The AIR program equips emerging artists and designers with resources and skills to better articulate their practices and contribute to their communities. It combines studio access with a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum, regular critical dialogue, and mentorship.

You can find out more about Romina’s work by following her on Instagram!

Stevennina Drassinower

Stevennina Drassinower is an extraordinary sculptor currently interning at Oxman Studios in Washington, DC. She describes her work as relating to sculptural metal, telling us “I make aesthetically interesting things, mostly out of metal. Sculpture is where I found my calling, and metal is where I really found my voice.” Through her exchange experience she learned a tremendous amount about art as a business, refining design and idea generation, as well as technical metalworking skills.

“There is not a single part of me as an artist that has not been touched and made better by my experience at Oxman Studios. I’ve learned sustainable, practical strategies for handling the balancing act between being an emotionally sincere artist, and a regular person with practical needs, and life outside work. At the same time, I’ve been learning to create art that has wildly surpassed my own expectations of what I was capable of.”

“Before coming here, I had a vague dream to make a career selling my art, but had no real idea how to make it happen. In my time at Oxman Studios I’ve experienced the daily minutiae of studio life, and exhilaration of truly inspired creation. When all this is over, and I fly back to Canada, I'll leave knowing that through this experience, my artistic visions have been made more grand, and my toolbox more full.”

You can find out more about Stevennina’s work by following her on Instagram!

Anyuta Gusakova

Anyuta Gusakova is a classically trained contemporary artist from Canada who works in multimedia sculpture and painting. She's a self-proclaimed “sculptor of dreams”, telling us:

“I am a dreamer, I have all sorts: happy dreams and dark dreams. Dreams for children and dreams for adults, 2D dreams and 3D dreams. They come to me when I sleep or day-dream. My job is to materialize them in acrylic or watercolor, clay or stone, metal or paper whichever form they want to take. I help the dreams to escape from their ethereal kingdom and fill our world with their mysterious, irrational beauty.”

Anyuta combines principles of classical art with craft applications, folk, and mythical motifs through her signature brand slip-cast porcelain functional and decorative objects. Her sculptures are on public display at the Vancouver International Airport and Vancouver Playhouse. Additionally, she recently won a commission to design and create a porcelain statuette for the new national Canadian Legend Award and she has been a finalist in several major international ceramic competitions in the United States, Canada, and France.

Anuyta is currently completing a residency program with Pottery Northwest in Seattle, WA, through IA&A’s Exchange Visitor Program. During her residency, she is growing as a ceramic artist, engaging in the community, and further developing her body of work.

To learn more about Anyuta, visit her website or follow her on Instagram!

Liene Bosquê

Liene Bosquê is an accomplished Brazilian visual artist and art educator currently based in New York and Miami. She also knows #WhyHostingMatters! Last year, she hosted exchange visitor Romain for a three-month internship with her studio.

Liene’s work is inspired by the relationship between people and place. She evokes memory, context, and history in the traces, shadows, impressions, imprints, and reflections within her multidisciplinary installations, objects, and site-specifics. She seeks to “investigate the passage of time, which changes place and how we look at place, through the presence and absence of who inhabit these places.” On top of her own art, Liene currently teaches sculpting workshops for immigrants in the New New Yorkers Program at the Queens Museum.

Her work has been exhibited extensively across the United States and internationally, including exhibitions at MoMA PS1 (2016), William Holman Gallery in New York (2015), the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago (2013), Carpe Diem in Lisbon, Portugal (2010), and Museu de Arte de Ribeirao Preto in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil (2007), to name a few. Her work has also been displayed at nonprofit galleries and public spaces worldwide.

To learn more about Liene, visit her website or follow her on Instagram!

Learn more about IA&A's programs for artists and start planning your unique exchange experience!