RECAP // ARTLab with Julie Schenkelberg

Last week we had a blast breaking plates and saucers at ARTLab! We were inspired by Julie Schenkelberg's piece on view at our gallery at 1414 Monterey Street, The Color of Temperance, Embodied Energy. Just as the artist did, visitors took a turn at breaking plates and then everyone helped to rearrange the broken pieces of the plates to give them new life in a collaborative installation.

The next ARTLab program is one for the holidays! On December 19, we will be creating scribble-machine wrapping paper for holiday present! The Mattress Factory Winter Art Market will also be in full swing, so you can wrap up your hand-made purchases with one-of-a-kind wrapping paper too.

ARTLab is a drop-in, hands-on interactive program for all ages.

RECAP // Coffee Date with Julie Schenkelberg

This past Saturday, MF Members attended a special behind-the-scenes Coffee Date with upcoming artist in residence, Julie Schenkelberg.

A Brooklyn-based Cleveland native, Julie has been living at the Mattress Factory for the last four weeks in the artist residence around the corner from the museum. During the last month, Julie has been working on her installation on the second floor of the Mattress Factory's 1414 Monterey Street gallery. MF Members had the exclusive opportunity to meet Julie and see her work in progress.

Julie Schenkelberg shows MF Members around her work in progress

Julie's materials: Stacks of china filled the neighboring gallery

Julie was very warm and open as MF Members began to flutter into her partially-completed installation. With a warning to watch where you step, Members immediately began asking questions.

After a walk-through of Julie's installation, she led the group into the next room which she called her "storage space."

MF Members enjoy a cup of coffee

The Coffee Date concluded with coffee, donuts and discussion. We learned that Julie uses domestic objects from the home, evoking "a dignity about the living space," as Julie put it. Laura Zurowski, a MF Member, commented on how her work, however messy, really does feel like a home. It reminded her of abandoned houses and all the things that might be left behind. Julie explained that all her materials were from Pittsburgh. She found them at Construction Junction, thrift stores, and donations from MF staff and others. [If you would like to contribute items from your own home for use in Julie's installation at the Mattress Factory, please see this post!]

Join us Friday, May 15, 2015 6-8PM for the opening of Julie Schenkelberg's installation, as part of our Factory Installed exhibition also featuring Jacob Douenias & Ethan Frier, Anne Lindberg and John Morris. $15 or FREE for MF Members.

We need your help!

A previous work by artist Julie Schenkelberg.

We have a unique opportunity that would allow your own items to become part of a new work at the Mattress Factory!

Julie Schenkelberg, an artist who has been chosen to present work in our upcoming Factory Installed exhibition in the museum's 1414 Monterey Street gallery, is in the process of collecting materials for her installation. Though our exhibitions team has been searching high and low for the materials she has requested, we need a lot more. If you have any of the items below that you've been meaning to discard, please consider donating them to this project. Items cannot be returned and might be altered or damaged in the making of the artwork.

The following have been requested:

-“Cut-glass” style stemware, dishes, etc or any type
-White porcelain items, either plain or with gold, silver or blue decoration
-Blue or green porcelain items, plain or decorated. Light blues and mint greens are especially in demand!
-Vintage vanity items
-Metal butter knives
-Old wooden chairs, tables etc. Broken is okay!
-Cotton batting
-White blankets
-Sheer fabrics in white, light blue and gold
-Scraps and broken pieces of white marble

This list may grow! Check back for additional requests.

Donations can be dropped off at the Mattress Factory Admissions Desk during regular museum hours. If you have a large collection of items that need picked up, please contact Exhibitions Manager Owen Smith directly.

Thank you. and we hope to see you (and your things) for the opening May 15!