FREE | Every Friday: May 9 - September 19 | 5 PM - 6 PM
Join us throughout the residency season for our free public series of short and informal artist talks, readings, and presentations. We’ll learn about works-in-progress from our artists and scholars-in-residence with informative and inspiring presentations in all disciplines. This is a wonderful way to kick off your weekend! Bring a friend, all are welcome.
Location: Main Campus. Look for Craigardan Event sign at the end of Main Campus driveway (two “doors” west of the farm store, towards Keene). Google Maps Link
Mackenzie Pikaart
Mackenzie Pikaart is a clay artist whose practice explores relationships between her past selves and present memory, form and erosion, texture and color. Her work takes shape in functional objects for the home. By using somewhat playful shapes and colors, she creates a mirage where the viewer may only focus on the immediate attraction, but with deeper investigation, the voice of loneliness speaks loudly.
She is inspired by architecture, poetry, instrumental music, and rainy days. In all of these, the tension of togetherness and being alone creates beauty in the in between. Pikaart searches her memory for times of peace, self-love, others’ acceptance, and through that search reveals uneasy moments, times she wishes to forget, but also moments of joy, love, and a depth of personal understanding. Her works are meant for daily use, a reminder of living through all that life is. Mackenzie received her BFA in Crafts/ Ceramics from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she currently lives and works.
Abraham Francis
Abraham Francis is kanienkeha:ka niwakonhwentsio:ten (I am Mohawk), wakeneniothro:non (I am Deer Clan), ta:non Akwesasne kena:kere (and I live in Akwesasne). He has a BSc in Microbiology, 2014, and MSc in Natural Resources, 2019, from Cornell University. Recently, they became a Ph.D. candidate at Clarkson University studying Environmental Science and Engineering. Previously, Abraham was the Environmental Services Manager for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. The position allowed him to develop and implement projects inspired and directed by community needs and influenced by his research interests. His research interests are at the intersection of environmental studies, Indigenous methodologies, community engagement, education, health, social services, law, and cultural foundations as a means for empowerment and healing within Indigenous Communities. He hopes to bring all his research interests and passions together within his dissertation, which is targeted at creating tools to support other Indigenous Communities to care for their environments from their biocultural contexts. Abraham has cultivated their expertise around their research and grown an extensive network of Indigenous Scholars/Knowledge Sharers, and Allies that carry a variety of expertise. Their expertise and network inspired the founding of the Aronia Collective, which seeks to align Indigenous Communities with experts to meet their unique needs and non-Indigenous organizations to engage Indigenous peoples meaningfully.
John Kane
John Kane is an author, college professor, and visual artist. He has degrees in fine art, education, and leadership studies with a focus on innovation and disruptive technology. His book, The Last Seat in the House: The Story of Hanley Sound, was published by University Press of Mississippi and is becoming widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive publications on the subject of concert sound reinforcement during the early years of the music industry. He has also written for several national newspapers and music industry trade magazines, including The Washington Post, and Front of House. Dr. Kane grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts, and now resides near the seacoast of New Hampshire. You can learn more about his work at www.thelastseatinthehouse.com and www.pilgrimsofwoodsock.com
Maya Miller
Maya Miller is a potter, writer, and farmer originally from California. Currently a student at Oberlin College, I am studying Creative Writing, Gender, Feminist and Sexuality Studies, and Studio Art. My pottery is sold through SilverWear Gallery in Ojo Sarco, New Mexico, and my poetry and prose have been published in Chicago Quarterly Review, Dialogist, and Cleaver, among others. Having spent time farming during and before college, I am inspired by clay, soil, the environment, and its relationship with the body.