Thanks to Kim Lyle of The Arts Beacon for this thoughtful write up on the duo exhibition at Modified Arts (Phoenix, AZ).

www.theartsbeacon.com/molly-koehn-and-c?

Molly Koehn + Crystal Gale Phelps
May 20 – June 11, 2016
Opening reception: Third Friday, May 20, 6-9pm
Closing reception: First Friday, June 3, 6-10pm

Modified Arts is proud to present the immersive, intricate works of Molly Koehn and Crystal Gale Phelps. While presenting different media and varied purposes in creating work, the two artists are united in compelling viewers to examine control—of our bodies and of our environments.

Molly Koehn presents work that is fundamentally environmental. Melding a practice of embroidery and sculptural installation, Koehn’s work examines natural systems, particularly the prevalence of “domination” in our dealings with the world around us. Koehn is currently pursuing an MFA at Arizona State University, with an emphasis in fiber arts, and her current bodies of work carry on the delicate, expressive qualities of her background and BFA in drawing. For this exhibition, Koehn’s embroidery literally combines organic (invasive plant species) and inorganic (steel and concrete) to showcase the way each fights for power. Koehn has exhibited in galleries across Arizona and Kansas.

Crystal Gale Phelps, then, presents her own physical body, both revealed and partially shielded from sight. While sharing primarily photographs, Phelps embeds herself in their production, sharing performance stills alongside the objects used to create them, and creating spare wood panel works, partially shielded by gold leaf (or is it vice versa?). The materials—whether body and furniture, gold leaf and panel—never fully reveal each other; each aspect is only part of the whole. The prime uniting thread is ontology: the study of being, becoming, reality. Pursuing her MFA currently at Maine College of Art, while based in her home of Toledo, OH, Phelps’ work reflection of place/non-place, and presence/non-presence is perhaps a representation of her own physical body’s presence/non-presence in each place in which she creates and resides. Phelps has exhibited in galleries and museums in Arizona, Ohio, and Arkansas.

For both artists, process is very clearly part of the manifestation of the final product. Though each artist’s works will be object-based, they build great narratives, giving viewers something to dig into as they maneuver through the exhibition.

www.facebook.com/ModifiedArts/

LeSo Gallery, located at 1527 Starr Avenue in Toledo, presents Momentary, a two artist exhibition featuring the works of Crystal Gale Phelps and Amber Valentine.

Valentine's work is a series of quadruple exposures created through traditional use of film and darkroom techniques. Her work fuses incidental imagery into a singular complex and saturate image, often with infinite depth.

Phelps work explores the depths of her own experience and the greater dialogue of death through life, memory, and reclamation. Through use of blood, ink, dirt, and thread, Phelps expresses herself in line and gesture on the paper.

These artists compel the viewer to sink deeper, either into the image itself or into our complex thoughts and emotions. Explore this exhibition of thoughtful works and take hold of something meaningful, however momentary.

Opening Reception: Thursday May 21, 2015 from 5:30– 9pm (Bus Loop)

Gallery Hours: Following the opening, the gallery will be open by appointment.

Artist Talk: Friday June 5, 2015 from 7– 9pm

Closing Reception: Thursday June 18, 2015 from 5:30– 9pm (Bus Loop)

Parking is available along Starr Ave. and across the street at the Toledo Sports Center. Please refrain from parking on Valleywood Dr. in respect of our neighbors.

Any questions or other inquiries should be directed to contact@lesogallery.com and further information can be found at www.LeSoGallery.com or www.facebook.com/lesogallery

Really excited to be working with the wonderful crew of Birds Eye View Circus on this! It will be my debut on the stage with BEV & hope you can come check it out.

A Circus retelling of a Russian Fairy Tale!

Birds Eye View Circus and friends Loa Fire and The Ann Arbor Aviary come together to create this full length acrobatic story of Baba Yaga, an ancient witch who lives in the last forest in all the land. She is pursued for her medicine and knowledge by the fair Vasilia and her dancing friend Brim, who must complete a series of impossible tasks to get the witch's help.

This dark tale is told through dance, aerial acrobatics, stilt walkers, fire dancing, and a number of large scale props and scene work. Not to be missed!

Show Dates:
Feb 13th 8pm, doors at 7pm
Feb 15th 3pm, doors at 2pm

Presale Tickets:
Kids 10 and Under $5
Couples $15 for 2
SIngle Adult $9

Door price:
$12/ ticket

Tickets available HERE

January 24 – March 8, 2015
Opening Reception - Friday, January 30, 2015 • 7-10pm

Eye Lounge Art Space Featuring Current and Past eye lounge Members –“Self-Made: 15 years of eye lounge”

The Vision Gallery proudly presents “Self-Made: 15 years of eye lounge,”intriguing retrospective of artworks produced by the downtown Phoenix artist collective, eye lounge. Artworks by eye lounge’s past and present members will push the boundaries of contemporary art. Each artist brings a plethora of talent in a variety of mediums.

Eye lounge, a collective, artist-run, contemporary art space committed to fostering emerging and established visual artists is located in downtown Phoenix. The collective was founded in 2000 and has hosted numerous group exhibitions. eye lounge moved to its permanent location in December, 2001 and has been featured in local and national press including Sunset Magazine, Art In America, ArtNews, Phoenix New Times, Shade Magazine Java and many others. The collective participates as a shuttle stop for Artlink First Fridays and is a founding member of Roosevelt Row.


Vision Gallery
10 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
Hours of Operation:
M - F 10am - 5pm
Sat 10am - 4pm
Holiday/weekends-Call
480.782.2695

My TEDx Toledo talk, "Windows Into New Worlds" is now available to view on YouTube.

Windows Into New Worlds

Come Re:IMAGINE Toledo Thursday, September 19th at the 2nd annual TEDxToledo event held at One Seagate Auditorium. Tickets are still available for purchase. tedxtoledo.com/

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

My latest column for the Toledo Free Press Star.
www.toledofreepress.com/2013/06/18/phel?

We recently launched a kickstarter campaign to help raise money for our not for profit gallery, Launch Pad Cooperative. Check it out!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/launchpadc?
We are offering some pretty sweet rewards. Thanks to everyone who has pledged so far- every little bit helps!

Special Thanks to Lisa Sipe at Culture Seen for doing this interview with me on behalf of LPC as well!
www.cultureseen.com/2012/10/17/gallery-?

Toledo Free Press

Launch Pad Cooperative is pleased to present the first of a series of solo exhibitions; Golgotha by Crystal Gale Phelps. A participatory, ephemeral, installation will be on view beginning with the September Art Walk.

September 2012, TOLEDO: In a demonstration of light, glass, wood, and dirt, artist Crystal Gale Phelps has developed the site specific installation, Golgotha. Launch Pad Cooperative will house this expansive exhibition from September 13, 2012 until October 5, 2012. An opening reception will be held in conjunction with the Arts Commission’s Art Walk on Thursday, September 13 from 6 pm - 9 pm. The public is asked to participate in the work during the opening reception and will be invited back for a closing service and artist talk on October 5 from 7pm - 9pm.

Artist Statement: I use abstracted forms of religious iconography and theological signifiers to act as tools to address themes of grief, loss, and the confrontation of mortality. An environment that is both beautiful and uncomfortable will be created and explored with the participation of viewers for the examination of collective grief. A station in the gallery will be set up for participants to compose letters to the dead; as brief or as lengthy as desired. After the letter is complete viewers are asked to toss it into one of three tombs built in the center of the gallery. A handful of dirt will then be thrown on top of the letter inside of the tomb so as to reenact the process seen at traditional burials.

Launch Pad Cooperative is an artist-run gallery that was established in 2012 with the intent to facilitate a network for emerging visual artists and creative writers of high quality who wish to enrich the community of Toledo and beyond.

Launch Pad Cooperative
911 Jefferson Avenue
Toledo, OH 43604

Debut Column
Creative Community Sustainability

"New voices seek to harmonize with Toledo arts community"
Written by Sarah Ottney
Toledo Free Press

Launch Pad Cooperative
Current Vice President of a newly founded artist cooperative gallery in Toledo, OH. Now accepting applications for membership: Membership Application Procedures
Toledo.com feature

"Collectives & Community" Presentation with Tim Gaewsky
PKN Toledo

You Are Here
One of 100 selected artists to create a work specific to a location in the Toledo, OH metropolitan area. Work sited at Promenade Park, Toledo, OH.

A project that I am pulling the screen prints on paper for:
"Oh Expletive is a project of epic epicness. It is a series of illustrations about ass kicking and mayhem — from zombies to unicorns to knife fights to flame throwers — the series consists of some of the most awesome things life has to offer."
Oh Expletive: Zombies, Unicorns, and 8-bit Creatures!

1 of 12 selected artists to have their artwork displayed on journals that will spend a year in the community until culminating in an exhibition of original artwork in the Spring of 2012.
www.scottsdalepublicart.org/temporary-a?

Phoenix New Times

Phoenix New Times

CRYSTAL PHELPS
IN COLLABORATION WITH
TIFFE FERMAINT

Sepulture
in the East Gallery, West Gallery, and Project Room

In a demonstration of cloth, paper, blood, glass and bone, artist Crystal Phelps and fashion designer Tiffe Fermaint develop an art installation of compelling themes. Their marriage of art and fashion is viewable to public for the first time on June 17th at Eye Lounge Contemporary Art. Mannequins adorned with Fermaint’s latest collection compliment thought provoking images created by Phelps throughout the gallery. The opening reception is from 6 to 10 p.m. and will run though July 9th.

Crystal Phelps graduated from ASU in 2008 with her BFA in printmaking and is now the current co president at Eye Lounge on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. While her background is heavily rooted in traditional printmaking processes her work has transformed to encompass central elements of drawing and painting. This is her first site specific installation.

Tiffe Fermaint attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for Fashion Design and is currently based in Phoenix, Arizona. Her clothing is best described as bold constructions that have scientific sensibilities. Inspiration for her designs come heavily from music and imaginary societies. Supporters includes Uffie from Paris, two-time Grammy nominee Carmen Rizzo, Electroclash godfather Larry Tee, American synthpop band Freezepop, New York electro group Hong Kong Counterfeit, Ibiza’s DJ Award’s “Best Deep House DJ” Phonique from Berlin, and electro’s most promising up & comer, MNDR from NYC.

Black Gloss Blog
"Home is not where you live, but where they understand you" by Kelly Calabrese