Get to Know Shannon Freshwater

October 19, 2017 11:40 AM
by Jonathan Ocon

Photo: Beaded Sculpture by Shannon Freshwater

Shannon Freshwater grew up in the bizarre landscape of Las Vegas, studied painting and film in New Mexico, and lived in a collaborative art community in Seattle before moving to Southern California in 2005. Shannon is a graduate of Art Center College of Design, where she now teaches in the illustration department as well as teaching in the art department at California State University Northridge. Her illustrations have appeared on various book covers as well as The New York Times, Le Monde, Scientific American, and others. She has exhibited her work across the US and her book covers are included in the permanent collection of AIGA in New York.

Shannon’s residency at the Camera Obscura Art Lab includes both creating artwork as well as leading lowcost classes and workshops that cover the practice of image-making in a variety of media. Her residency work includes creating a collection of 2D and 3D sculpture and costume that incorporate discarded toys, jewelry, blankets, and other items from local thrift stores to depict strong warrior women characters. Through the use of folk art and crafts techniques that could be classified as traditional “woman’s crafts” such as bead work and weaving, Shannon is exploring the ideas of transformation, selfempowerment, and upending power dynamics.

Visitors to the Camera Obscura may be able to catch a glimpse of Shannon at work, or can sign up in advance for one of her workshops that explore foil embossing, foam relief printing, and other mixed media. Workshops range from $5 to $10, with all materials for workshops provided. To register in advance or to see the schedule of classes, visit smgov.net/reserve, or call 310.458.2239.

Photo: Beaded Sculpture by Shannon Freshwater

Authored By

Jonathan Ocon
Assistant Administrative Analyst