Artist in Residence: Julia March Crocetto

Julia March Crocetto served as the ninth Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence at 970West Studio. The dates of her residency were January 14 - April 22, 2019. During the residency, she kept open studio hours at 970West on Tuesdays from 2 pm to 4 pm, allowing her to showcase her quilt-making and creative process for Mesa County residents. She also gave six public, educational programs: Rust Printing (ALL ages Neighbors Read) (Thursday, January 24, 2019, 6:30-7:30 pm), Monument Community Room Event description: Found objects capture our attention with their textures, color, connections to history or personal memories. Rust printing enables us to record an object and incorporate it into our lives in more tangible ways. Rust can also be harvested and used as a pigment, with painterly potential. Join this informal workshop to learn how to make rust prints on cloth and explore possibilities for using rust printing in your hobbies or creative expression. Feel free to bring small objects for rusting or discussion. Materials will be provided. Eco Printing with Leaves (adult program) (Thursday, February 21, 2019, 6:00-7:30 pm), Mesa Community Room Event description: Have you ever picked up leaves to admire and collect, but then wondered what to do with them? “Eco-printing” gives the collector an opportunity to record the ephemeral beauty of leaves and other plant matter onto cloth using simple supplies and techniques. In this surface design sampler we will create botanical prints with eco-printing, direct printing, and stamping. Take home a silk scarf and samples on cotton that you can incorporate into your own creative endeavors. Materials will be provided. Block Printing (Teen Event) (Thursday, February 28, 2019, 4 pm), Fruita Branch Event description: Learn to block print with Artist in Residence Julia March Crocetto. Teens can carve and print a unique design onto fabric during this workshop. Supplies are included. Creative Mapping (adult program) (Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 6:00-7:30 pm), Monument Community Room Event description: Mapping is often associated with explorers and a careful tracing of what is known about a place. In this workshop, Julia will reveal some of her creative process: creative mapping provides an opportunity to chart unknown territory. Using watercolor paint and waterproof ink, we will utilize creative mapping to connect to place, recollections, and desires. Bring journal entries, poems, stories, and maps for reference material. These materials will not be physically incorporated into our maps, but will inspire layers of creativity. Ideas will be discussed for ways to enjoy your newly-created “map.” Materials provided; feel free to bring your own supplies. Creative Mending with Embroidery (Adult Event) (Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 3 pm), Fruita Branch Event description: Learn stitches and methods to create patches with creative flair using techniques from various cultures. Bring a pair of jeans or a shirt in need of repair. Creative Mending with Embroidery (adult and teen) (Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 6:00-7:30 pm), Mesa Community Room Event description: In this era of abundance and internet shopping, a quiet revolution has been unfolding. Mending has become an elevated craft, embraced as a fun, cheap, and practical way to fix damaged clothing, as well as a signal of intentional re-use, up-cycling, and a rejection of “disposable” low-quality clothing. Time-honored techniques of mending and decorative stitching from various cultures can be incorporated to create attractive, durable repairs. After a short slide program, learn some stitches and methods to create patches with your creative flair. If desired, bring a pair of jeans or shirt in need of repair.