Portfolio
My art is accessible. I make art because it orients our way of life.
The Grove: “I want art to be part of the fabric of our everyday lived experience.”
Back in September of 2021, I had the idea to create an “art forest” in Pocket Park, located at 125 Fourth Avenue South. My intention was to create a public art display where visitors would be able to walk through a forest of art for an intimate and immersive art experience. The display would be up for the months of June and July, be easily accessible, and free to the public.
The art forest, officially named The Grove, is now a reality and consists of 12 free-standing, beautifully crafted wood frames created by Tim and Charlie from Retired with Wood that hold 12 colorful, abstract pieces made on convertible canvas tops from Upholstery Unlimited. The frames range in size from 4 to 10 feet in height and are placed throughout Pocket Park to encourage visitors to wander through the space and experience the art more intimately for a unique and memorable experience for Clintonians and visitors alike. The exhibit was up through the fall of 2022.
For 2023, I will curate a new installation at The Grove by artist Harmony Eccles. Harmony will paint over my pieces to create a conversation. The exhibit will open in time for the Tailgate N’ Tallboys Concert in June of 2023.
GBArt Studio: “I want to make my hometown Clinton, Iowa an arts destination.”
When I started my journey in 2016, I created small pieces. I knew to create art for the public that I couldn’t create art in my house. I also knew that I needed to create a venue to promote local and emerging artists, provide educational art spaces, and develop community-based art initiatives that promote engagement and dialogue and work towards creating a culturally rich, diverse, inclusive, and equitable community.
So in 2020 into 2021, I created GBArt Studio in the Lyons District in Clinton, Iowa. I have hosted art classes, visiting artists, and most of all, created my public art. In 2023, I have leased a larger space to allow me to do larger works.
WILD: “The wild that surrounds us.”
The idea for WILD came from my many walks in different areas of natural beauty in my hometown of Clinton, Iowa. This exhibit focuses on three specific locations: the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, the nature path at the Erickson - Emma Young Park, and the trails at Eagle Point Park. They serve as the inspiration for the collections: Lush, Field & Sky, and In the Woods. All paintings are painted on raw canvas stretched over handmade stretcher bars made from locally sourced poplar wood and installed in handmade cradle frames also made from local poplar.
All frames used for these paintings were created by Tim Fuller and Charlie Woods from Retired with Wood. All paintings were created with natural tools collected from these three locations and include branches, pine needles, bark, corn husks, seedless corn cobs, honeycomb, and finally, my fingers and hands because I am also WILD at heart. Thank you for visiting and experiencing WILD. I hope you enjoy the paintings and make time to visit the WILD places that surround us.
With gratitude,
Gabi
Advocacy: “I am passionate about connecting arts with community development and placemaking.”
From applying to grants to get Clinton on the map to speaking on panels, writing articles, and recording media, I strive to make sure my art enriches my community. I want Clinton to attract artists, and I know that means I have to create the legacy.
In 2023, I was the recipient of the Governor/s Art Awards for Emerging Arts Leader. I have served on multiple Iowa Arts panels. On April 25, I served on a Iowa Arts Council panel on Placemaking: a Symposium Exploring the Power of Small Business in Community Building. I co-write a monthly column for the local paper. I work with Arts Midwest to serve on panels and develop how to guides. This work is vital to my artistic visions and goals.