Topic: College of Fine Arts
August 25, 2017
Specimen Series: Basketball Hoop, Stacey Lee Webber, 2017
A new exhibition showcasing solo work from artist Stacey Lee Webber is open at Ball State University’s Atrium Gallery through Sept. 20.
Webber’s exhibition, titled “Objectified,” uses a combination of objects, jewelry and sculpture to celebrate the blue-collar work ethic of American families.
“Through technique and design, my artwork manipulates materials and forms that evoke pride in American working-class heroes and highlight America’s iconographic history,” she said.
This is Webber’s first time exhibiting at Ball State but she’s no stranger to the university. In 2005, she graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree from the School of Art’s metals program, having studied metalsmithing and jewelry making with Patricia Nelson, a retired George and Francis Ball distinguished professor of art. After receiving her master of fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008, Webber began exhibiting widely and today is a leader in the field of metalsmithing.
Her work was featured in the “40 under 40: Craft Futures,” an exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C., which highlighted select artists to watch in the field of contemporary crafts. In the past five years, Webber has conducted 14 lectures and workshops, participated in 11 national juried trade and craft shows and represented her work in six solo and two-person exhibitions.
The School of Art is proud to welcome her back to campus.
“Stacey has been remarkably successful at building her own business and thriving from the sales of her artwork,” said Jessica Calderwood, an associate professor of art who teaches in the metals program. “Students are interested in hearing her story and understanding the road she traveled to reach that level of success in her career.”
Webber will visit campus later this fall, presenting a gallery talk from 4-6 p.m. at the Sept. 20 closing reception of her exhibition. Prior to the event, she’ll meet with students, viewing their projects, providing feedback and answering questions.
“For students to gain new professional connections like this, particularly in their field — and to have those artists view their work — can be incredibly helpful, inspiring and invigorating,” Calderwood said.
Arne Flaten, director of the School of Art, said this year is an exciting one for the School of Art’s 2,000-square-foot Atrium Gallery, located on the first floor of the Art and Journalism Building, adjacent to the Ball State Bookstore.
“In addition to Stacey Lee Webber’s exhibition and a landmark show of prints from Landfall Press, this fall marks the first time two faculty members, Jacinda Russell and Heidi Jensen, will have solo exhibitions to showcase their talents and the fruits of their respective sabbaticals,” Flaten said.
The Atrium Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 1-4 p.m.
By Jillian Wilschke