Artist in Residence: Kathy Thaden

Kathy Thaden served as the twenty-second Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence at 970West Studio. The dates of her residency were August 14 - Nov 20, 2023. During the residency, she kept open studio hours at 970West on Tuesdays from Noon to 2 pm, allowing her to showcase her work with mosaics and her creative process for Mesa County residents. She also gave six public, educational programs: Mosaic Art Then and Now (Tuesday, August 22, 6 pm) Central Library Mesa Community Room Event Description: This presentation will highlight 5,000 years of mosaic art. Beginning with a quick look at some ancient mosaics and advancing to breathtaking modern mosaics which utilize a wide variety of materials and techniques. An amazing array of mosaic art is being created beyond what many think of as hobby or craft! Wearable Mosaic Art (open to teens and adults) (Saturday, September 23, 2:00 pm) Collbran Branch Library Event Description: Participants will make a unique mosaic pendant incorporating a selection of assorted mini tiles, beads and more. Supplies included and registration required. Wearable Mosaic Art (open to teens and adults) (Saturday, September 30, 10 am) Central Library Monument Community Room Event Description: See above Make a Mini Mosaic (open to kids 7-11) (Friday, September 8, 10:30 am) Collbran Branch Library Event Description: Kids, join us for a fun hands-on workshop to create a small mosaic with a variety of mini tiles, beads, paper and more. Your completed mini mosaic can be turned into an ornament or a magnet to display. Supplies included. Make a Mini Mosaic (open to kids 7-11) (Monday, October 16, 4:30 pm (Clifton Branch Library) Event Description: See above Mosaic Tins (open to teens and adults) (Tuesday, October 10, 6 pm) Central Library Community Rooms Event Description: Create a small mosaic incorporating up-cycled tins, mini tiles, beads, and more. Supplies included and registration required.

Borderlines
This artwork is part of the Artist In Residence collection at 970West Studio. It was created by Kathy Thaden during her residency (August 14 - Nov 20, 2023).
Kathy Thaden Retrospective
In a retrospective video covering her period as Artist in Residence at 970West Studio in Mesa County Libraries, artist Kathy Thaden talks about her work as a mosaic artist and teacher of mosaic art. She discusses the inclusion of found objects in her mosaics, and how materials and texture inspire her. She speaks about responding to the world and social issues in her art using an abstract sensibility, and how she enjoys this challenge. She describes her creative process, how she develops a piece of art in response to the materials available to her, and how her time in the 970West Studio helped her to focus on the development of a piece with greater intention. She addresses the difficulty of gaining acceptance to fine arts circles as a mosaic artist. She speaks about teaching classes as the artist in residence and how she welcomed the opportunity to initiate attendees into the world of mosaic art. She recounts her background in commercial and graphic art, her work in television production as a computer artist, and how she turned to mosaics to engage a tactile sensibility in art.
Remnants
This artwork is part of the Artist In Residence collection at 970West Studio. It was submitted by Kathy Thaden during her residency (August 14 - Nov 20, 2023), though it was created prior to that time.
Vanishing
This artwork is part of the Artist In Residence collection at 970West Studio. It was created by Kathy Thaden during her residency (August 14 - Nov 20, 2023).