Makenzie Davis is a multimedia artist who creates two and three dimensional work from a reciprocal painting and papermaking process that directly engages the landscape in which it is made. Her practice includes painting large scale abstracted components of the landscape in which she resides, layering her recycled handmade paper with organic elements over the compositions as a way to draw attention to aspects of the land and culture that have been built upon, layered over, forgotten, or rediscovered. Makenzie also constructs paper-based column sculptures that reflect on important landmarks of connection between earth and society, exploring the Axis Mudi of meaning for herself, the cultures she admires, and the communities she engages with.
Makenzie grew up in Lyons, CO and received her BFA from Colorado State University in 2017. While teaching and earning her MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2022, Makenzie was inspired first by the overlapping histories of the volcanic landscape. After spending three years in Hawaii connecting with the location through the overlaps in its geology and its local and indigenous knowledge, she came back to the Front Range with a similar intention; Honoring the many layers of land and culture of the Front Range, and becoming an active component of how Longmont’s vibrant community continues to build upon them, is how she hopes to make contact with the place she calls home.
ART CREATED THROUGH COMMUNITY: HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE RESIDENCY!
Throughout the residency, Makenzie will educate herself on the cultural and geological histories and present realities of the Front Range area by making handmade paper with members of the community. Participants are asked to contribute their paper detritus (junk mail, etc) and stories (family histories, experiences in the landscape, etc) to the workshops, as both will be recontextualized into a material of cultural agency and appreciation for the ground below us. Layering this handmade paper over top of the paintings she makes in the studio will connect the visual beauty of the landscape to an awareness of its complex human history, endangered elements, and unique foliage/wildlife. While talking story with community members during papermaking workshops, the process will give birth to the final layer of the exhibition in which the fingerprints of Longmont residents are solidified in the surface texture itself. Including the community in the creation of a collaborative landscape will directly reflect the story of this place unfolding, from various contexts, perspectives, and collective histories. Makenzie’s goal is to connect stories across individuals and communities, geology and mythology, past histories and present moments to rediscover Longmont through the Firehouse Art Center’s creative, collaborative environment.
JULY 8- PAPER MAKING WORKSHOP
AUGUST 12- PAPER MAKING WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER 8- VIP EXHIBIT OPENING FOR LONGMONT ARTS WEEK
AMY LUMMUS
For me, art is not just a profession or a hobby, it is a way of life and a calling. Painting and carpentry are my vehicles for making a difference in the world and contributing to a better future for everyone. Inspired by my surroundings and experiences, my art explores themes of potency, capability, social justice, and resilience, bringing to life the narratives of survivors of gender-based violence. My works typically evoke a mix of emotions, ranging from somber reflection to profound admiration, highlighting the strength and courage of survivors.
What truly sets my portraiture apart is the use of kinetic sculpture to convey my message. My portraits are transformed into dynamic and interactive structures that bounce, spin, move and crash. The sculptures create an atmosphere of gritty exposure, while simultaneously enticing the viewer to participate. Kinetic sculpture injects a new dimension of life to my two-dimensional work. I look forward to explaining and displaying these structures for a new audience. My passion for art began when I was very young. I drew and painted anything that caught my eye, from landscapes to objects or people. While honing my style and interests, I fell in love with portraiture. The subject’s subtle expressions, their emotions, their stories can be felt with just a few strokes of paint. I wanted the power to capture that essence of a person in a painting. After finishing my studies at the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in Fine Art, and many odd jobs to support my art habit, I committed to being a full time portraitist and sculptor
My artwork is heavily inspired by the 1950’s swing style and retro imagery. Barbara Kruger’s methodology and concepts are largely influential to me, as well as iconic portraits like Vermeer’s “Girl with the Pearl Earring” or Caravaggio’s “Head of Medusa”.
I foresee an exciting future with Firehouse Art Center and the Boulder County community. When we travel beyond the traditional canvas, the realm of kinetic sculpture is intensely thought-provoking and inspiring, and I can’t wait to share my passion with the public.
ART CREATED THROUGH COMMUNITY: HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE RESIDENCY!
I see the opportunity to be a resident artist at the Firehouse Art Center as a chance to grow and develop my artistry by interacting with women from different walks of life. I want to see through the eyes of the women in the community where I create, so I will recruit local models for new works, taking the time to learn their stories and a bit more of what their community means to them. I would also like to empower folks in the area that don’t have a working knowledge of carpentry by introducing them to power tools big and small, and how to safely use them.
Alongside my painting and sculpture work, I truly enjoy interacting with children. I look forward to utilizing my passion for molding young minds at the Firehouse Art Center within the framework of my current creative process. Teaching young people about the power of kinetics, linkages, and simple machines while also giving them visual outlets will be very exciting. I anticipate big messes, and great big fun.
