Neon as soucraft

She Bends: Neon as Soulcraft is an inquiry into the significance of manual trade skills and their impact on our connection to the material world. This exhibition focuses on neon bending for its embodied engagement and the diverse knowledge base demanded by this craft, spanning physics, chemistry, and spatial abilities. How does exposure to such skills among young adults nurture innovative approaches to sustainability, social responsibility, and creative problem-solving?

The exhibition showcases collaborative artworks crafted during three neon residencies held across the United States. Through a community-driven selection process, teaching artists were matched with emerging student artists in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Seattle. These residencies offer a platform for teaching artists to hone their pedagogy and for student artists to pursue their exploration of neon, answering to the scarcity of resources available for these synergistic learning environments in this trade.

To honor the learning journey of neon bending, participating artists are tasked with gathering the remnants and discarded glass pieces from their residencies. She Bends illuminates these artifacts of process into a large site specific “quilt,” revealing the hidden labor and dedication inherent in working with this material.

Neon as Soulcraft features teaching artists, Dani Kaes (Seattle, WA), Leticia Maldonado (Los Angeles, CA), and Victoria Ahmadizadeh Melendez (Philadelphia, PA).  Through a community-driven selection process, they were matched with student artists Melissa Jean Golberg, Mayra Zambrano, and Christen Baker respectively.

Special thanks to our Student Artist Selection Committee: She Bends curators, Kelsey Issel and Meryl Pataky, Museum of Craft and Design’s Curatorial Director, Ariel Zaccheo, Headlands Center for the Arts’ Executive Director, Mari Robles, and Studio Ahead’s Principal Designer, Homan Rajai.