October 29, 2018

Artist presenting inflatable art exhibition, lecture featuring local wildlife at SVSU

Saginaw Valley State University is hosting an art gallery exhibition featuring sculptures based on wildlife in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Artist Nicole Banowetz will showcase works based off the organisms found in SVSU's Wetlands Preserve, such as wildflowers, plants, scrubs and trees. Her art will be on display in SVSU’s University Art Gallery from Thursday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Dec. 14.

Nicole Banowetz, is also presenting a lecture on her artistic process Thursday, Nov. 8 from 3 to 4 p.m. in SVSU's Arbury Fine Arts Center room 107 with a reception immediately following from 4 to 6 p.m.

The exhibition and lecture, both free and open to the public, are presented as part of SVSU's 2018-19 Dow Visiting Scholars and Artists Series, along with support by the Saginaw Community Foundation.

Banowetz currently resides in Denver, where she works professionally in sculpture, installation and education. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in sculpture from Colorado State University, and she has worked internationally in India, Italy, Ireland, England, Germany and Russia.

Banowetz specializes in sewn inflatable sculptures and delicate forms that address vulnerability and struggle. She recently created inflatable sculptures inspired by children's drawings of microorganisms for a residency program at the Denver Children's Museum. These statues were then displayed at the Amsterdam Light Festival for the 2016-17 exhibition year.

Along with her exhibition at SVSU, Banowetz is also installing an permanent inflatable sculpture at the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum in Saginaw.