CCS Alumni Live Interview - Allie Runyan

Michigander @alrunyan23 graduated with a degree in Fine Arts, Arts Education at the College for Creative Studies in 2019. Runyan’s works start as assemblage sculptures from found objects and then evolve into overstimulating large-scale installations and performances that she uses as an opportunity for an immersive experience for all ages. The work then merges to detailed, black and white drawings as a way for her to re-examine the sculptures and installations as artifacts in time.

Runyan’s recent exhibitions include; If You Throw a Toy in Jail, installation at Hatch Art Gallery in Hamtramck and I Make My BIGGEST MOVES at 333 Midland gallery in Detroit. Alongside art making, Runyan works as an art teacher in Detroit in various capacities including the Community Arts Partnership, a non-profit organization in Detroit, where she is the director of the CAP at Home program. She is also an instructor for the College for Creative Studies continuing studies and education program and a studio instructor at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

CCS CAP Artists Shout Outs!!
Saturday Artist Shout Outs features one staff member each week to discuss their creative and professional practices, personal artwork, interest in teaching, favorite classes, advice for students and more!

This week we are featuring Allie Runyan!

She is the CAP at Home Project Coordinator as well as one of our Teaching Artists here at CAP. Ms. Allie has been with us for about 3 years and usually teaches classes such Intro to Arts and Crafts, Wearable arts, Intro to Sculpture and Intro to Painting as well as stars on our CAP at Home digital art making channel.

Ms. Allie is from Commerce, MI and has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and Art Education from the College for Creative Studies.

Now, she is working as a mixed media artist creating large scale installations, assemblage sculptures, performances and various collage works.

The advice that Ms. Allie would give to artists following in her footsteps would be to continue your art practice everyday, take care of yourself (physically, mentally and emotionally) and most importantly, have fun and enjoy what you are creating.

If you are interested in seeing more of Ms. Allie's art work, feel free to check out her website at www.allisonrunyan.com or her Instagram at @alrunyan23!

Hatchback artwork #18: "Instruments Performance Line" by Allie Runyan (Ink on paper, 18" x 24", $100). Mannequins are creepy. People in full costume are creepy. Clowns are creepy. Why? Because you can read the expression on their faces. They are not faceless so much as they are expressionless, or perhaps frozen in one false expression. Allie's line drawing of what could be a Mardi Gras celebration reveals the details of the architecture but removes the details of faces. This act is off putting, where the accoutrements are festive but the people seem lost. It reminds me of a video I recently saw of a professional wrestling bout without a crowd. It was sad. Allie's drawing is a reminder that location, architecture, and stuff are all meaningless without the infusion of human reaction.

You can see more of Allison Runyan's work at www.allisonrunyan.com.

Each day Hatch posts an artwork from its annual juried show, Hatchback. To see the complete show, visit www.hatchart.org/virtual-hatchback-14

Hazel Park Art Council Feat. Artist Interview
With social gathering places closed and events like art fairs canceled, we decided to bring you FEATURED ARTISTS! We interviewed some of our local artists to learn more about what they do and what inspires their art. Remember to stay safe and wash those hands! #stayhome

What is your name?
Allison Runyan

What city do you reside in?
Commerce Twp.

What is your art medium?
Mixed Media, Assemblage Sculpture, Installation, Performance

How did you get started in art?
I have always been around art, it runs in the family. All through school I was able to take art classes, participate in art clubs and in summer art camps. From 2015-19 I attended the College for Creative Studies for Fine Art and Art Education. And most importantly, I have been lucky to have a great support system of friends, family and teachers who have helped me get to where I am.

What inspires your art?
I get inspired by physical objects that have bright colors, textures, movements, fun materials and layering. I actually use a lot of children's toys in my own work because they have so many of these aspects. I also get inspired by other artists. Sometimes it’s their work ethic or things they have accomplished and sometimes it’s the physical aspects of their work that entice me such as colors and materials.

What piece of art would you like to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for more of an idea. I create spaces where the viewer can be transformed into another world. My installations, made from bright sculptural assemblages, allow for people to have a little child-like fun, regardless of age and background. I want to be remembered for these experiences, ones that remind people that you don’t need to be a certain age or have a certain background/ knowledge to enjoy art.

What advice would you give to a young artist following in your steps?
Make art everyday, enjoy what you are creating and take care of yourself!

Where can people find you?
Website: https://allisonrunyan.com/home.html
Instagram: @alrunyan23

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On Tuesday, February 11th, at 8pm at the Starkweather Gallery, our presenter will be Allison Runyan, who’s bio is below. She will be discussing her works and process as well as giving a live demonstration.

Allison Runyan was born in 1997 in Commerce Township, Michigan, and graduated in Fine Arts and Arts Education at the College for Creative Studies in 2019. Runyan’s works include everything from assemblage sculptures from found objects, large scale installations and live performances to pen and ink drawings and print work. She creates works that provide an opportunity for an experience for all ages to share and enjoy.
Runyan’s recent exhibitions include; If You Throw a Toy in Jail, installation at Hatch Art Gallery in Hamtramck, I Make My BIGGEST MOVES at 333 Midland gallery in Detroit and Finding Out About Feelings at the U245 Gallery in Detroit. Alongside art making, Runyan works as an art teacher in Detroit in various capacities including the Community Arts Partnership, a non-profit organization in Detroit, an instructor for the College for Creative Studies continuing studies and education program, a facilitating artist for Soul Studio: Friendship Circle and as a studio instructor at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

"If You Throw A Toy In Jail" Installation on display at Hatch Art Gallery's Jail Cell featured in The Hamtramck Review's News Article (1/10/20). Written by Joe Myrick, this articles discusses the exhibition as well as Runyan's work ethic, personal beliefs and professional goals.

“If You Throw a Toy in Jail” new installation in The Jail Cell at Hatch Art Gallery. Opening Nov., 2nd from 6 to 9pm. Installation will be on display through January.

Friday, April 26th, at 1pm come see a live story book reading of "The Land of Misfit Toys" in the CCS Library! Princess Penelope will be reading a children's book about how all the toys on the island came to live together. All are Welcome!

"Beneath the Surface: Structures and Systems"
One of two panels from the Fine At Seniors exhibiting at 333 Midland from the exhibit curated by Bridget Finn from Reyes Finn titled "We make our biggest moves." This panel will focus on four artists from the exhibit; Anthony Brazeau, Annika Maschke, Jon Phillips, and Allie Runyan. The panel will be moderated by Fine Art seniors, Kelly Agius and Sam Albaugh.
Come join us this Thursday
DATE: April 18, 2019
TIME: 11:30-12:30PM!
LOCATION: Sculpture Room B102 behind Campus Safety on Ford campus

I MAKE MY BIGGEST MOVES is a group exhibition featuring Alli Stinson, Allie Runyan, Annika Maschke, Anthony Brazeau, Hai Mya Lazar, Jessica Harvey, Jon Phillips, Leslie Frisch, and Naomi Bush. Curated by Bridget Finn.

I MAKE MY BIGGEST MOVES opens on Saturday, April 13th, 2019 at 333 Midland St. Highland Park, MI from 6-9 PM. The show will continue through Easter weekend.

Nine distinctive art practices compose the exhibition, I Make My Biggest Moves. While viewers will encounter nine unique artist's vantage points within the show, there is also shared experience on view. Themes of identity, lived experience, and the body link each artist and the work in this exhibition. The title of this show stems from a casual remark by celebrated Detroit-based poet David Blair. Blair said to the Metro Times before his passing in 2011, "I Make My Biggest Moves." He was speaking about a time period in his life as a creative producer and an artist. Blair was talking about focus, rigor, and what happens when one creates freely from a place of flexibility but with a determined vision. All nine of these artists started their creative journeys together in Detroit at the College for Creative Studies. With this exhibition, these artists are displaying work informed by a shared experience, as well as distinct practices that emphasize each of their own creative processes.

Finding Out About Feelings
Exhibition Opening Friday, February 8th, 5 to 8pm, U245 Gallery, Detroit
Featuring Artists Allie Runyan, Jacob Wonch and Anthony Brazeau
Exhibition open from Feb. 8th to Mar. 1st

The Fine Art Seniors will be hosting an Open Studio event on November 16th, 2018 from 5-9 pm. The Senior Studios are located in the Ford Campus Kresge Building on the fourth floor in room B405. Join us for a relaxed evening to meet the Senior class, tour our studios, and partake in dialogue! Refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public!

New Member of Detroit Society of Woman Painters and Sculptures (2017)

The Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors is one of the oldest self-sustaining women's art organizations in the United States, having been founded by Lillian Burk Meeser on February 23, 1903. Its mission since inception has been to quicken interest in art movements of the day, to stimulate high achievement, active work, and mutual helpfulness among members, and to provide encouragement and support for art students. It achieves these ends by holding juried exhibitions of its members' work, sponsoring interesting and informative programs, and awarding an annual scholarship to a qualified woman student attending art classes in an accredited college.

Artists and Art can be found here: https://www.dswps.org/artists-and-art#/allison-runyan