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Artists In Residence

Rebecca Manson

09/17/18

Please join us for a lecture with artist Rebecca Manson.

Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2018  7:00 — 8:30 PM 
Location: The CIA at Copia Theater, 500 First Street, Napa, CA

Artist Biography

Rebecca Manson is an artist based in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated with a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and has received a Windgate Fellowship Award and a Windgate Project Grant. She has been a resident artist and Zentrum Fur Keramik and California State University Long Beach. Through her sculpture work and in the classroom, Rebecca is interested in clay as a metaphor for community and the body. The spherical form, a recurring theme in her work, celebrates the idea that small parts together amount to something impactful. Her work is frequently comprised of thousands of tiny, handmade porcelain parts which on their own may appear trivial, but in mass depict the power of togetherness. Through her upcoming interactive public outdoor sculpture, she challenges ideas about fragility.

rebexman.com

I have learned so many skills and habits that have made me a better person throughout my time here. To name a few: I have learned how to be a good roommate, how to communicate, and how to trust myself. I have learned the importance of staying hydrated, getting good sleep, and having a clean work space. I have learned how to share space both in the studios and dorms. Lastly, I have learned that it’s okay to advocate for what you need and that there is no harm in asking for help or support.

— Grace Reynolds, Fall 2023

It's been a whirlwind week, but also a time when I sang the praises of Oxbow to my colleagues. I've been thinking much about how Oxbow is an exemplar of true education. That art centers the curriculum is hardly surprising, and for those of us who work within the traditional educational mold Oxbow offers a gold standard of focused project based learning. Beyond the school's approach to immersive experience are the intangibles which make Oxbow different. The sense of community and of working together, even as each student retained their strong individual presence is palpable. The feeling of warmth and trust between the adults and the nearly adults in the Oxbow community could be felt throughout the campus. The openness of the architecture and interconnectedness of the three studios in themselves speak of the Oxbow philosophy and identity. More than form follows function, the physical attributes of Oxbow have a distinct warmth and invite exploration.

I'm sure that the ongoing challenges of leading and reinventing your school might sometimes keep you from having the time to see Oxbow with the fresh eyes of a visitor, but your steady presence and vision are really visible in every detail. Thank you for inviting me to one of the most profound experiences in my career.

— Ken Rush, Visual Arts Department, Packer Collegiate Institute

Artistically, I learned a lot of new techniques and mediums while here. I had access to much more than before and I made the most of it. I tried everything I could and always talked to my teachers and peers about new ways I could make art. Every so often, I completely stepped out of my comfort zone. Experimenting with technique and testing my artistic boundaries has helped me realize how many paths I have to choose from in the art world and that makes me excited for the future.

— Macy Manning, Fall 2023

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