News
As a professional artist I love to share my work with an appreciative audience. In this section you’ll find interviews, news clips, in-depth profiles, and details about upcoming exhibitions or collaborations.
Six Indy creators protest Trump with art - NUVO
Feb 15, 2017
"While we wait in silence for that final luxury of fearlessness, the weight of that silence will choke us." — Audre Lorde
The United States now looks to Indiana in a way that it never has before. Our controversial former governor Mike Pence stands behind President Trump: as he signs executive orders attempting to halt people of an entire religion from entering the country; as he appoints an attorney general with a long history marginalizing voters based on their race; as he eludes to legislation and orders that will remove any hope for protection based on sexuality and gender; as he works to revoke healthcare for those who need it most. The rest of the nation watches to see what solutions Indiana can provide: because we've fought this before — and Indy's artists are no different.
In the following pages you will read about six creators who use their creative force to direct attention. For some, it's to show solidarity. For others, their art spreads a message of hope. And for some, they create to disturb the status quo. These artists — like Audre Lorde — are not rendered immobile by the fight that's ahead.
Lori Leaumont, the curator
Like so many of us, Lori Leaumont was chatting with friends trying to figure out what to do next under the new Trump reality.
"My friends and I have been talking about different actions that we can take," says Leaumont. "The last few weeks have been kind of scary. I was just personally thinking what my strengths were, and what I have done in the past. How I can use my artwork and organize something or take some kind of action?"
So she posted on Facebook, asking who would be interested in an anti-Trump group show. What she saw was an outpouring of support. She is still accepting submissions, but has a healthy list of visual artists, musicians and poets already booked.
"I hope the show can really center groups of people who are really marginalized... ," says Leaumont. "The initial response was huge. ... I have gotten a lot of things related to the march in DC. We got a submission from a jazz group, Premium Blend. The video that they submitted was a collaboration with Theon Lee, whose poetry relates to Black Lives Matter [and] the violence of police corruption."
This isn't the first time that Leaumont has curated a show — she used to put them together regularly at her family's business Garfield Eatery before it closed. Her own work is primarily functional work in clay sculptures, although lately, she has taken to watercolor and charcoal. Activism has become a vital element of her art.
"I think it's really important [for artists to speak out]," says Leaumont. "I think for me, personally, it's a way to process the way that I am feeling about what's going on around me. It's a way to communicate with other people and to express your ideas. I have been making more artwork in the last few weeks than I have made in the last year. I think it's necessary.
"I absolutely think there is a heightened responsibility," says Leaumont. "... I feel like there were a lot of people who weren't involved in activism in the past, or weren't involving their art in those subjects, now feel like it's not an option to be quiet anymore."
Guest Post: On Crafting the Perfect Pitch Video
Aug 9 2012
Most project creators will tell you that making the perfect project video is really tough. It's true! But when artist Lori Leaumont sat down to make the project video for her small (but big-hearted) crafts project Girl Stories, she learned a few lessons that might make it a bit easier for the next time you have to hit "Record." Read on!
One of my Mom's favorite sayings is “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” This is a truism that was particularly true for me the day I tried to make my Kickstarter video.
My Kickstarter was supposed to be ready to launch on July 22nd, but sadly, things did not go as smoothly as I'd planned. I needed a video, and I'd been wracking my brains trying to come up with something cute or clever, but I had nothing. Finally, I decided to film my daughter Maddy running around the backyard in a cape, but it was brutally hot and she got really overheated, and then my camera battery died. I was totally stumped. I can write, and I can make art. But getting in front of a camera? Soooooo not my thing! I had no idea what to do for this, and everyone told me the video was so important. My camera was charging up downstairs. I didn’t know if I should just sit down in front of it and ramble a lot, or keep trying to think of something better. I just didn’t know. I wanted this project to be awesome! I wanted it to show people how excited I was about this, and tell a good story.
I was so frustrated and nervous about making that video, I almost didn’t launch at all. Now that I see the wonderful response I’ve gotten to my idea, I am so glad that I went through with it. Just putting it all together and telling my story was a great experience for me.
I realized that part of my hesitation came from a lack of confidence in my work and ideas. There was a nagging little voice in the back of my head that kept telling me that this was stupid, and would never work. I had already convinced myself that the project was going to fail, and I was wasting my time. I had psyched myself out before I even began.
I was also trying to make a video that looked like everyone else’s. My friends had made a video that was silly and endearing, and I really wanted to make something similar. I got so stuck on that idea, I just couldn’t move forward. When it came right down to it, I’ve never been comfortable in front of a camera, and I had to realize that that was just not one of my strengths. Rather than fighting myself, I had to let go and do something that was comfortable for me.
The other thing I realized was that I was trying to do it all by myself. I’m not always good at asking for help, but when I finally did, my friends came out of the woodwork to offer proofreading, video ideas, camera equipment, and to help me film. Telling my friends about my idea got them excited about what I wanted to do, and that boosted my confidence. I couldn’t have done that alone!
I was doing a project about girl’s empowerment; when it came down to it, I was really doing it to empower myself. Once I realized that, and I knew what I wanted to say to the world, I found my determination to get it done. Finishing that video was one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done!
I’d like to quote one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman: “Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn. Trust dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story.” I think that sums it up for me pretty perfectly. Making a Kickstarter video was a way for me to share my story with the world, and I had to trust in my story and myself. I’m so glad I did!
Visit Lori's project page here.
“Girl Stories” Art Show Prompts Discussions about Girls in the Media
January 24, 2013
INDIANAPOLIS — On Feb. 1, the Wheeler Art Center will host the “Girl Stories” Art Show, an exhibition of work from a girl’s empowerment project by Indianapolis artist Lori Leaumont. The opening is from 6 – 9 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Artwork by Leaumont, as well as by students from the Girl Stories workshop will be on display, with interactive storytelling activities for both children and adults. Music will be provided by 19 year old singer, songwriter, and guitarist Joy Mills, who will perform live at 7:30 p.m.
Indianapolis ceramic artist Lori Leaumont launched a Kickstarter project to counteract the dearth of strong, diverse, and well rounded female characters in popular media. The Girl Stories project goal was twofold: to create sculptures of non-stereotypical female characters with great stories; and to inspire other girls and women to tell stories of their own by making art. Her Kickstarter project smashed a goal of $700 in less than 24 hours, and raised more than $2,500 by the end of it’s 30 day run, receiving an overwhelming response from vocal supporters, many of whom were mothers and fathers of young girls. With the additional funds, she was not only able to complete her series of narrative sculptures, but also offered an 8 week clay workshop in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and Beech Grove Clay Works to make free art classes available to matches in their mentor program.
“I’ve always been dismayed by the lack of diverse female characters in the movies, books, and video games that I loved, but having a daughter of my own brought my interest in girl’s stories to a head,” said Leaumont “I wanted stories for her that depicted girls as more than just princesses or damsels in distress, and while they existed, they weren’t nearly as plentiful as I’d like. As an artist, I felt like I had a responsibility to help fill the void. I wanted to create the kind of content I wanted to see, and maybe inspire more women and girls to get out there and do the same.”
“I want to continue this project,” said Leaumont, “It is my hope that by creating artwork that tells good stories about girls, and encouraging more girls and women to tell stories of their own, the next generation of artists, filmmakers, programmers, scientists, writers, and leaders will come from girls who learned to value their voice and ideas.”
Vanessa Monfreda brings criaturas to life
November 11, 2028
While we don't really cover kid stuff — the escort ads in the back would make it a little awkward to do so — we're not unsympathetic to
notion that “First Fridays shouldn't just be for adults.” After all, there's a place for childlike joy in the art world, for persons of all ages, and maybe Monfreda, who has been making vibrant paper mache sculpture for the last few years, is onto something.
She and two other artists —
and
—
will present their work at Criaturas
(Spanish for creatures), a party of a show Friday at the
that will feature criatura-inspired work, a pinata bash (at 7:30 p.m., on the dot), music by everyone's favorite global music DJ
and intriguingly titled monster cakes by
. Monfreda was good enough to field a few questions in between applying layers of paper mache.
NUVO: How does your family background — growing up in Germany and Ecuador to a Chilean mother and Austrian father — inform your work?
Vanessa Monfreda: My Chilean mother always spoke Spanish to me, and my Austrian father, in German. Naturally, sometimes that was a little confusing and could lead to occasional identity crisis. I ended up in Indy in 1997. After I had been living in Quito, Ecuador, I really missed the winters and four seasons, which I experienced growing up as a child in Bergisch Gladbach, a small town in Germany.
NUVO: Can you unpack your artist's statement for me: "I focus on using discarded materials or whatever is around me...I recycle not just out of environmental reasons, but also economic reasons and availability." Are there aesthetic reasons as well for why you use discarded materials?
Monfreda: Living the “recycle way” became more integrated into my life when my husband and I bought an abandoned fixer-upper in 2009. We jokingly refer to our neighborhood as So-So-Bro (the hoods of Sobro). It’s amazing how an average family discards trash. I collect objects like lids, toilet rolls, milk caps, cardboard boxes, pasta boxes and everyday items that have an aesthetic for me, which I might incorporate into an assemblage or mixed media piece. During my childhood in Germany I was influenced by Sesame Strasse (Sesame Street), “flower power,” Kraftwerk, Joseph Beuys, the German lifestyle of recycling and living green; and later, in middle school, by the art of collage. I started using found materials when my family moved to Quito in 1986. There were few art stores and the materials were very expensive.
NUVO: What drew you to paper mache?
Monfreda: Three years ago I decided to make a handmade piñata out of paper mache for my son and daughter's birthday party. I instantly became hooked. The materials of paper mache are simple and inexpensive: flour, old newspaper, water and glue. Anybody can do it — even a kid. Soon enough our living room was invaded by imaginary friends' piñatas, which I decided to sell at INDIEana Handicraft Exchange, Handmade Promenade and Homespun: Modern Handmade. Children seem to respond best to my colorful paper mache creatures. Adults' reactions seems to be usually the same: “Oh, I did paper mache while I was in grade school!” I am still experimenting with the many possibilities of paper mache. I am still exploring whether it could be more than just a craft or folk art.
NUVO: How did Criaturas come about?
Monfreda: After I met ceramist Lori Leaumont and papel picado artist Beatriz Vasquez-Schlebecker, we decided to host a three-woman show at the Earth House Collective where each artist would present on the theme of “criaturas,” or "creatures" in Spanish, using our respective mediums. Our main mission was for this First Friday show to be kid friendly; that’s why we chose to include a piñata bash.
Flores y colores: Duo emphasizes art for all ages
May 20, 2018
Art openings aren’t typically kid-friendly environments, but artists Lori Leaumont and Vanessa Monfreda bend and break expectations like that when putting their art on display.
Leaumont, a ceramics artist, and Monfreda, a collage creator, emphasize art for all ages to enjoy at their show “Flores y Colores” — Spanish for “Flowers and Colors” — hosted at Gather in downtown Bloomington.
“We don’t really like to do stiff art openings,” Monfreda said. “It shouldn’t be intimidating.”
With that in mind, both artists collaborated with Gather owner, Talia Halliday, to plan their Gallery Walk event for May 4. Gather hosted activities for kids and opened the evening with face painting, decorating cardboard monster cutouts and making collages with old magazines and recycled materials. Their colorful collages, planters and flowerpots are on display at Gather throughout the month of May.
Monfreda and Leaumont, both transplants to Indianapolis, met “on the craft fair scene,” Leaumont said.
“I’m pretty sure the first time I saw her I was at the Indiana Handicraft Exchange,” she said. Both women hit it off and began collaborating and sharing booths at craft fairs, and found they had a lot in common. One of the major things that binds them are their identities as mothers and artists and finding inspiration in each other’s work.
“I’ve always been fascinated with how she makes the things she makes,” Leaumont said about Monfreda’s work. Some of her own clay sculptures have even been inspired by Monfreda’s art. It was only a matter of time before they began meeting at Monfreda’s house while their children were in school to craft, drink coffee and talk.
During these creative hours, art opening ideas would percolate and be born, a deadline would be set and art would be made.
The artists share a passion for vibrant, colorful creations of multiple mediums, says Vanessa, and it’s no mystery why their art has appeal for adults and children alike. “We both kind of get inspiration from kid stuff,” Leaumont said. Taking cues from color, shape and material, the duo creates shows that reflect a unique perspective on the world, embracing the child within as well as the creative women they are.
“Flores y Colores” will continue through the end of this month, but Leaumont and Monfreda are already crafting their next show idea. An extension of a popular previous show, “Creaturas 2” may be in the works in the future, but both artists have their hands full right now. Inspired by “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah, Monfreda is considering writing a memoir, and Leaumont will have a new addition to her family in coming months.
Be sure to see their work at Gather before the end of the month, and stay on the lookout for their next art show in the Bloomington-Indianapolis area.
If you go
WHAT: “Flores y Colores,” an exhibit of ceramics, collage and art activities by Vanessa Monfreda and Lori Leaumont.
WHERE: Gather: handmade shoppe & Co:, 116 N. Walnut St., Bloomington
WHEN: Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. The show will be featured through the month of May.
MORE: 812-785-1480; https://gathershoppe.com.
Flores y Colores
April 26 2018
Indianapolis Mother-Artists Vanessa Monfreda and Lori Leaumont will be celebrating the coming of spring and warmer weather with their show entitled Flores y Colores on May 4 at Gather located in Bloomington. Featured work will be on display and for sale in the southeast corner of Gather.
Indianapolis Mother-Artists Vanessa Monfreda and Lori Leaumont will be celebrating the coming of spring and warmer weather with their show entitled Flores y Colores on May 4 at Gather located in Bloomington. Featured work will be on display and for sale in the southeast corner of Gather.
Press Release : Criaturas
December 14, 2011
We have sent out a press release for our show in January. I keep joking about how I feel like an adult now, but it seriously is a little weird to be doing something so grown up and... I don't know, responsible? Professional, maybe? For some reason, no matter how long I'm at this whole trying-to-make-a-living-at-my-craft business, I always feel a bit like I'm just playing pretend. I'm really just a 12 year old who has no idea whats going on 90% of the time in the adult world.
Anyway, here it is in all its press release-y glory.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FROM: Earth House Collective
237 North East Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
CONTACT: Vanessa Monfreda (317) 946-9365 vanessamonfreda@yahoo.com
DATE: 12/10/2011
Criaturas - First Friday Art Opening
Earth House Collective will be hosting Criaturas, a three woman show by artists Vanessa Monfreda, Lori Leaumont, and Beatriz Vasquez-Schlebecker. Each artist will present work interpreting the theme of "criaturas", or "creatures" in Spanish, using their respective mediums of paper maché, ceramics, and papel picado to create monsters, animals, and grumpy little girls.
Artist Vanessa Monfreda creates colorful paper maché sculptures she calls "my imaginary friends", first inspired by her own children. Hot pink mustachioed pigs, larger-than-life cats, and 3 eyed monsters immediately attract bright eyed kids, something Monfreda aims for in her work. "First Fridays shouldn't just be for adults," says Monfreda. "Kids get bored at art shows. We need more art events that are interactive and fun for them."
The show also features the work of Lori Leaumont and Beatriz Vasquez-Schlebecker. Leaumont makes colorful, hand painted porcelain sculptures, "doll" jars, and tableware that are heavily inspired by children's book illustration and "girlhood". Schlebecker uses a traditional Mexican paper cutting technique to create lacy, intricate images that reflect her bi-cultural upbringing as a first generation Mexican-American originally from South Texas, as well as her training in children's book illustration.
The show takes place on First Friday, January 6th, from 7pm - 11pm, and will feature a piñata bash at 7:30 with a handmade piñata by Monfreda, as well as music provided by DJ Kyle Long, and monster cakes and cupcakes by food stylist Ellen Nylen.
For more information, contact Vanessa Monfreda at vanessamonfreda@yahoo.com.