St. Olaf’s fifth-year Emerging Artist program started in 1982, allows for students to make art for an entire academic year after graduation. This year’s artists consists of five recent graduates — Luca Trujillo ’24, Emily Domres ’24, Fiko Insel ’24, Vazgen Ananyan ’24, and Andrew Mazariegos ’24. To kick off their residency, they recently had a show in the Groot Gallery, “Work in Progress”, that showcased the art that they’ve been working very hard on whether finished or not such as the colossal stuffed whale made by Trujillo. Though “Work in Progress” ended on Nov. 26, the artists have two shows left for the year — including a collaboration with Carleton College’s emerging artists at the Northfield Arts Guild beginning on Jan. 7 and going until Feb. 11.
The Emerging Artists’ studio located on the third floor of Center of Art and Dance is a cozy space with big windows and funky couches. It is also the home of the artists’ projects. Here, I spoke with Insel and Mazariegos about their progress so far this semester and their experience in the Emerging Artist program.
For both, the biggest transition was the change in lifestyle from college life to the residency. Though Insel and Mazariegos pointed to various differences, they emphasized how the Emerging Artist program provides less structure and lots of self-agency. The artists have time and space to work independently with no professor coming to check in or catch up. They also have other responsibilities on and off campus — many are aides for art professors, and some even serve as staff members in other departments of St. Olaf. For Mazariegos, juggling his work as an Emerging Artist and the Community and Belonging Program Coordinator has allowed him to discover what kind of schedule works best for him and how to balance everything.
In preparation for the upcoming shows, Mazariegos and Insel both have projects currently in the works. Titled “Conservar es Celebrar” (To Conserve is to Celebrate), Mazariegos is currently building piñatas to represent different endangered animals from three different Spanish-speaking countries. His piece is currently being funded through mid-December by the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant. While Mazariegos is focusing on 3D art, Insel is currently working on a 2D, animated GIF. With an emphasis on figures and animation, his work is a reminder that art is a genuine and valuable skill.
Most artist residencies such as the Emerging Artist program are underfunded. However, they do provide basic facilities and materials for artists as well as room and board. For instance, St. Olaf gives each artist a stipend of $3,000 for the year to buy art supplies. For other resources and expenses such as housing, the artists are on their own. Due to this, the College recently changed the program’s name to the “Emerging Artist Program” from the “Fifth-Year Emerging Artist Program.”
It’s a little disappointing to hear that the College is not prepared to house or further support amazing artists, but hopefully St. Olaf is making changes for future students looking to commit to the program.
