We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Casanova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I’ve tried to quit making art in the past and it never sticks. I’m happiest when I’m creating and so I’ve structured my life so that it supports my need to make things.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create abstract sculptures that are evocative of human and nonhuman bodies. I use a variety of materials like gypsum, fabric, glass and bioplastics to create ultra-tactile sculptures. I want my sculptures to make viewers feel something in their bodies when they look at them.

My path to being an artist has been rooted in academia. I went to undergrad and grad school for sculpture and went on to become a sculpture professor at the University of Denver. I love teaching students to explore their world through making things.

Being an artist is an unconventional path. It takes a lot of self-determination and faith that things will eventually work out. Showing up every day and doing a little piece of the work whether that is in the art studio or working on a grant is necessary to keep moving forward. All of those small efforts add up.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d check out the art exhibitions at Lane Meyer Projects, David B Smith Gallery and Black Cube and do a mountain hike at Lair O’ the Bear state park. I admittedly don’t go out to eat much so when friends come to visit, it’s a good excuse to check out new places.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many folks along the way who have supported my creative journey: my parents, my husband, former professors, artist friends, collectors… As artists, we need a community to survive.

Website: katecasanovastudio.com

Instagram: @kate_casanova

Image Credits
Yi Gallery

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