Nicole Bsullak – Artist Statement

Everyday we are culturally showered with a barrage of high octane fragments. Clips of new flashes, segments of conversations, half forgotten grocery lists on the sidewalk, and interrupted journeys are staples in our lives. It is a paradigm which I am most comfortable and have an acute sense of awareness of the residue, which is left behind. As I gather the cultural debris I map and preserve the discarded in a way to elevate the “present” past into poetic expression.

Resume

Education

MFA, Visual Art, Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT

BFA, Metalsmithing/ Jewelry, Maine College of Art, Portland, ME

Exhibitions

Solo:

• 2005 Penn State University, University Park, PA
• 2005 Vu-Master Gallery, Portland, ME

Group:

• 2008 Summer Salon, Filament Gallery, ME
• 2008 Diptych Project, The Whitney Art Works, ME
• 2008 IV, Maine College of Art, ME
• 2007 PMC Decade: A History of Precious Metals Clay, The National Ornamental Museum, TN
• 2006 Society of Arts & Crafts Retail Gallery-MA
• 2006 The Necklace Show, Velvet da Vinci, CA
• 2005 Accessorize, Society of Arts & Crafts, MA
• 2005 Slush, Vu Master Gallery, Portland, ME
• 2005 Size Doesn’t Matter, Heartwood College of Art, ME
• 2005 Saccharine Doses: A Portrait of Yoke Waists, NYC
• 2005 Speak to the Color, Heartwood College of Art, ME
• 2005 Souvenirs, Vu-Master Gallery, ME
• 2005 High Five, Heartwood College of Art, ME
• 2004 50<>: The Craft Continuum, Brookfield Craft Center, CT
• 2004 Bowled Over, Faculty Show, Heartwood College of Art, ME
• 2003 Treasures from the Heart, Heartwood College of Art, ME
• 2003 Art in Miniature: A Maine Jewelers Biennial, Plum Gallery, ME
• 2003 Colorful Memories, A Show of Emotions, Brookfield Craft Center, CT
• 2003 Mud, Metal and Sand, Heartwood College of Art, ME
• 2002 Seduction, Fragmentation, and the Interior, Brooklyn, NY
• 2002 3M, Center for the Visual Arts-Metropolitan State College, Denver, CO
• 2002 Generating Connections: Mentors & Emerging Jewelry Artists, Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA
• 2002 Material Explorations, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, Utica, NY
• 2002 MFA Exhibition, T.W. Wood Art Gallery, Vermont College, Montpelier, VT
• 2002 Art Faculty Show Heartwood College of, Kennebunk, ME
• 2002 Holiday Sale, Filament Gallery, Portland, ME- 12/01
• 2001 Clearance, Filament Gallery, Portland, ME
• 2001 Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT
• 2001 Color On Metal Show, OXOXO Gallery, NJ
• 2001 Millennium Metal, VA
• 2001 Tiaras Will Be Worn, An Exhibition, Thomas Mann GalleryLA Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT
• 2000 Reemergence, Filament Gallery, Portland, ME
• 2000 Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT
• 2000 Student Snag Slide Show, Boston, MA
• 2000 Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT

Awards

• 2006 Niche Magazine, Student Award
• 2006 Lapidary Journal, Student Niche Award
• 2002 Sponsorship by “Orangeyouglad”-Independent Design Firm, Brooklyn, NY
• 2001 Most innovative use of inexpensive materials,Millennium Metal Recipient Award, Richmond, VA
• 1999 Niche Student Award, Philadelphia, PA

Publications

• “PMC Decade: The First Ten Years of Precious Metal Clay”, Tim McCreight
• “The Art of Jewelry: Paper Jewelry”, Marthe Le Van
• “500 Necklaces-Contemporary Interpretations of a Timeless Form”, Lark Books
• The Art of the Tin Can, Bobby Hansson
• Color on Metal: 50 Artists Share Insight and Techniques, Tim McCreight & Nicole Bsullak
• Portland Style
• Craft Business Magazine
• Studio PMC Magazine
• Portland Phoenix
• Color on Metal, Port City Life magazine

Professional Experience

• 2003 Guest Curator, Brookfield Craft Center,Brookfield, CT
• 2002-03 Curator, Engels' Gallery, Brooklyn, NY