Catherine Hammond, Artist

Approval Type

Community Based

Artistic Discipline

Visual Arts

Program Type

Performances, Workshops, Residencies, Lecture/Demonstation

Populations/Areas of Interest

Adults, Older Adults, Intergenerational

Artistic Approach

When I make work, whether in poetry or in visual art, I always work in layers and focus on exact moments. Color and intensity are important. With each layer and its imposed repetitions, my goal is to create an integrity that clashes with the systems in the other layersâ*"and paradoxically achieves a balance with them. My poetry has a strong visual aspect; my assemblages significant narrative content. For me, the veiled reality we glimpse but cannot entir

Teaching Artist Approach

As a teaching artist I am interested in facilitating entry into an artistic experience with the participant. My assumption is that everyone has strong imaging systems. Over many years I have developed a system that helps people discover specific images on their own internal screens and then convert those into their own art. This process is always about personal discovery. The first step is to learn how to focus.

Program Management Strategies

The key to freedom is discipline. If there is a strongly organized base to any activity, then there is far more flexibility possible in the actual doing of a project. As a working and teaching artist, I pride myself on flexibility and use of intuition coupled with the discipline I bring to individual tasks. Good communication with all partners within any collaborative enterprise is always a priority for me. I am pretty organized for an artist and generally have paperwork in early. I am extremely comfortable at the performance level, whether I am moderating a reading or an interview, demonstrating a technique for an art piece, teaching a workshop, or giving an artist talk. Evaluations need to be ongoing throughout the residency, workshop, or series, that is, a constant assessment of how is all this going both visually, verbally, and in writing with all partners and participants.

Program Description

Community-based residencies can take as many shapes as people have ideas. Programs I have led in the past may provide some idea of what might be possible for the future. I am particularly interested in programing that combines art and writing. In the fall of 2008, I will provide the writing component for a series of workshops on ekphrasis, or art based on another piece of art. I am the founder, organizer, and moderator for Tempe Poetry in April, a reading series that celebrates National Poetry Month that is going into its 9th year. For the Shemer Art Center and Museum, I collaborated in an outreach program in a community center in which participants created a wall hanging with their own writings woven in. I have given workshops for Vision Kidz in Chandler. I always enjoy doing poetry readings, Young Authors' Days, and artist's talks.

Technical Requirements

My technical requirements are minimal. If I am speaking to a group larger than 20 or so, I like a good microphone.

Space Requirements

My programs tend to be intimate. That means they are held in intimate spaces.

Supply Requirements

These would be determined by the nature of the program. I tend to travel light.

Special Considerations

These would be determined by the nature of the program.

References

Dora Hernandez, Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, 602.495.0193
Mary Fowler, Tempe Cultural Services, 480.350.2880
Candee Lewis, Vision Gallery, Vision Kidz, Chandler, 480.917.6859

Fees

Please contact artist.

Educator/Staff Training

My work tends to be highly collaborative. If there are tools and techniques I need to share with my presenters to help orient them, I will be sure to communicate those, ahead of time, if necessary. On-going communication with partners is vital to my programming. Often such information is shared during planning sessions.

How Arizona State Academic Standards are Addressed

Community-based residencies and workshops only, please.