March 12’s Second Saturday navigates metal working, unconventional art and exploring inspiration with the world around you

With excitement for the changing seasons, recognition of women-identifying artists and a nuanced way to make public art, this month’s Second Saturday: Non-conFORM gives families new ways to create and understand contemporary art as more than something you can hang on your wall.

“It is really focusing on form art,” says Christine Gibson, manager of Youth and Family Programs. “Our inspiration for this month is kind of like a triple threat: first that it’s Women’s History Month and then that our two outdoor installations are made by women artists.”

Detail view of Maren Hassinger's outdoor installation made from wire rope and concrete imitating reeds

Maren Hassinger, Paradise Regained (detail), 2020

From 1-4 p.m. March 12, friends, families and our community can engage with and learn from two unique women artists through conversation and projects, as well as join interactive, guided tours of two exhibitions installed on our grounds and in Campbell Art Park.

“We thought it would be great to focus on them and their works,” Gibson explains of Maren Hassinger and Chakaia Booker’s sculptures. “We have not done that before for a Second Saturday!”

Hassinger’s Nature, Sweet Nature and Booker’s Shaved Portions — each made with alternative materials (one, galvanized wire rope and the other, salvaged rubber tires) — seek to draw the connection between human experience and the natural world. With commentary on human diversity and our relationship to our planet, the two outdoor installations provide insight into the capabilities of women in the artistic field.

Detailed side view of Chakaia Booker's outdoor installation made from refurbished tires

Chakaia Booker, Shaved Portions (detail), 2021

“We’ve also welcomed in two women artists from the community,” Gibson says.

“One is a metal artist, Christie Hackler, who will do an art project with the kiddos that’s a safe intro to welding. She’s bringing a kiln with her; we’ve got some copper pieces that they’ll be embossing and putting through the kiln. It was important to me to show a process that doesn’t happen every single day.”

Hackler, an Oklahoma-born and -raised artist, finds inspiration in the world around and life within. Pulling beauty from loss, the artist creates sculptures, vessels and wall hangings with a focus on metal and emphasis on butterflies.

Christie Hackler's Thomas The Swallowtail piece comprising of a swarm of black metal butterflies

Christie Hackler, Thomas The Swallowtail, 2018

Tied to a memory involving her late son, Hackler began to “use the imagery of the butterfly to convey her message of transcending boundaries,” her bio says. “She recognized that the butterfly was not concerned with its past or future. It did not hold on to which it used to be, nor is it bothered by how it became a butterfly. Instead, the butterfly accepts its new state and does not linger at the chrysalis. It simply takes flight.”

The artist’s Second Saturday project will demonstrate her passion for metal working and provide a hands-on experience, ending in a finished piece for attendees. Due to limited supplies, this project will be first-come, first-served.

“We’re also bringing in Beatriz Mayorca,” Gibson says. “She’s worked with us in the past, and I wanted to bring her in specifically because of the type of work that she does.”

Beatriz Mayorca's public install chairs made of mosaic tiles and metal acting as public seating

Beatriz Mayorca, Nurture, 2018

Mayorca practices art forms varying from sculpting to unique furniture and lighting design. The Venezuelan-born artist finds she can impact and connect with a community in a big way through “her current execution of public art.” Approaching her mediums and projects in unconventional and non-conformed ways, Second Saturday attendees will gain insight into the global artist’s creative process, find inspiration in her work and create alongside her through a community-oriented project.

“We will give the community thinking prompts,” Gibson says. “On each table will be those clickers from the game Sorry with six different thinking prompts — like, think of an interesting way to make community light or community seating. We’ll give them simple materials to build their miniature sculptures.”

March 12’s crafting and creating will be held indoors at The Studios building. All Second Saturday activities, projects and performances are FREE and open to the public! Join us for an afternoon of crafting, learning and exploring non-conformed ways of thinking.

Is it a chair or public art? It’s both!

Images: 

Kids making an art project at Second Saturday, 2020.

Maren Hassinger, Paradise Regained (detail), 2020. Wire rope and concrete. © Maren Hassinger. Photo: Sarah Ondak.

Chakaia Booker, Shaved Portions (detail), 2021. © Chakaia Booker. Photo: Vikki Penix.

Christie Hackler, Thomas The Swallowtail, 2018. Enamel and steel. 3 x 4 ft. © Christie Hackler. 

Beatriz Mayorca, Nurture, 2018. Ferrocement polished, glass mosaic tile, metal coated with Line-X Ultra, stainless steel hardware. © Beatriz Mayorca.

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Second Saturday art outdoors installation mixed media metal working public art interactive art family fun