KELSEY ISSEL

CO-OWNER, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Originally from New York, Kelsey is an art consultant and art program & events producer, concentrating on social impact and womxn makers. She has worked with different venues over the past 10 years, producing multidisciplinary exhibitions, with an eye for artists pushing the boundaries of their practice and unique community engagement. Throughout her program work, Issel maintained private clients, for whom she builds art collections, manages art installations and designs spaces & events. This work has always remained an important piece of the puzzle for Issel, who’s main passion is to build as many different on-ramps for art as possible.

Kelsey first started her work with She Bends at her gallery in San Francisco and has become increasingly involved with She Bends, enticed by this amazing community of womxn that even Juxtapoz Magazine deemed “Revolutionary.” She is now the Co-owner of She Bends and has taken on the role Director of Programs, to work more closely with Pataky to exhibit around the nation and expand the scope of the programs and business.

www.kelseyissel.com

 MERYL PATAKY

FOUNDER & BENDER

Originally from South Florida, Meryl Pataky moved to San Francisco in 2002 to attend the Academy of Art University.  She fell in love with the tactile nature of sculpture and pursued a BFA in the major.  Meryl’s work consistently revolves around elements found on the periodic table. From silver and copper to neon, iron and carbon, Meryl creates a variety of abstract mixed media works that relate to her concept of universal connectedness. In doing so, Meryl combines technical expertise–from welding to glasswork to papermaking–with her own personal narrative, building complex pieces that invite the viewer to guess at what thoughts and experiences influenced her process.

Along with producing her own mixed-media work, Meryl also produces large-scale public neon installations for various clients & institutions, most notably Kaiser and one opening in San Francisco’s Union Square this year.

A key component of Meryl’s neon practice is her workshops, where she teaches students how to create their own neon work.

Meryl founded She Bends out of a need for supporting womxn in the neon industry. Her goal is to put a face to this ubiquitous but often anonymous art form.

www.merylpataky.com