Creative Fusion
Creative Fusion is an experiential arts workshop that provides children the opportunity to discover contemporary and traditional artistic methods through the mentorship of professional artists. Children who participate in Creative Fusion will work closely alongside each of these mentor artists in a studio setting focusing on the professional-level artistic process.
If you have any questions, please contact or , Directors of the Creative Fusion arts program.
Announcing the 2012 Mentor Artists
Matthew Offenbacher
Matthew Offenbacher grew up in the Northwest and received a B.A. in American Studies from Tufts University in 1994. He currently lives in Seattle. Interested in collaboration, Matt's work focuses on blurring the boundaries between groups and individuals, and between art objects and the contexts in which they appear. These interests have led to special projects such as 'The Gift Shop' at the Henry Art Gallery in 2010, and 'La Norda Specialo', an ongoing independent publication for artists' writings. He has exhibited widely on the West Coast.
In 2010 his work appeared in 'Reclaimed' at the Seattle Art Museum, and 'The Divided $elf', a solo exhibition at Vignettes in Seattle. Other notable exhibitions include 'Intellectual Property' in 2010 at Seattle University's Hedreen Gallery, and 'C.A.T.' at Howard House in 2009. In 2009 he won the Kayla Skinner Special Recognition award from the Seattle Art Museum. His upcoming show, 'Decor for Interstellar Space Travel', opens in March at Prole Drift in Seattle.
Sheila Coppola
Sheila has spent the last 26 years working with and for visual artists, helping them to realize their personal visions through the medium of original printmaking. In 1982, after receiving a BFA in painting from the University of Washington, she co-founded Ink on Paper and worked under the direction of master lithographer Charles E. Matson. Although she learned a great deal about lithography, her interest and passion have always been in the more three-dimensional forms of printing known as intaglio and relief. In 1996, she founded Sidereal Press, which she continues to operate today in Tukwila, Washington. Over time, she has acquired the necessary equipment and experience to produce fine original intaglio and relief prints using traditional methods of printmaking. In 1998, she met and became friends with Marcia Bartholme, master printer at Beta Press, and developed a working relationship with her, which has continued to inspire her and inform her understanding of intaglio printmaking.
Sheila has also been fortunate to work closely with many fine Northwest artists, sharing and trading information, learning, teaching and experimenting in one of the most intimate forms of artistic collaboration. She owes most of what she knows to this rich collection of collaborative experiences, and is most grateful to all the artists, designers and printers who have generously shared their knowledge and vision with her.
