Meet Trent Pechon | Adjunct Faculty of Sculpture

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

Hi Trent, what inspires you?
I am inspired by everyday moments. My environment greatly influences my work and shapes how I perceive my interactions within it. I firmly believe that inspiration can arise from anything at any moment, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. These little moments collectively shape our lives. As an Artist, I focus on the details of everyday life, letting them find me and expressing them through my studio practice.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Growing up with dyslexia, I viewed the world around me through a unique lens. This visual language shaped my interactions and experiences. School was always challenging for me until I discovered the Arts, where I could harness my visual language and creative problem-solving skills. However, I quickly realized that writing was still an essential component of the Arts. Using my strengths in the Arts, I worked to improve my weaknesses in reading and writing, translating my visual language into written text and artist statements.

This journey of strengthening both my writing and hands-on abilities and overcoming challenges has taught me valuable lessons about personal growth and the application of Artistic skills to everyday life. Now, as an educator, I work with my students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses, helping them grow as I continue to grow alongside them. This ongoing journey of self-growth and knowledge is what truly drives me. I believe in the power of creative problem-solving, both in the classroom and in addressing life’s challenges.

What sets my Art apart is this unique perspective and the deep connection between visual and written expression. My story is one of resilience, creativity, and continuous learning, and I strive to inspire others to embrace their own journeys of growth and discovery.

My work involves transforming objects and moments of everyday life into something new and strange through meticulous craftsmanship and unexpected scale and presentation. Through my art, I raise questions about our relationship with and dependence on the natural world while pointing to the shifting and arbitrary categories of art, life, nature, and culture. I’m interested in how objects can communicate in ways that words cannot and help us feel and see the contradictions in our habitual ways of thinking and being.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Grand Junction, one of my favorite activities is spending time on the river. I would start our trip with an overnight packrafting adventure down Ruby Horsethief Canyon, a fun and accessible section of water for most to enjoy. After that, we’d clean up and take a bike ride downtown to explore the beautiful Main Street and Colorado Avenue, visiting the Colorado Mesa University Art Gallery to see the art on display. Some of my favorite shops on Main Street are The Gear Junction, Summit Canyon Mountaineering, and Western Anglers.

The next morning, we’d take a short drive to Palisade to enjoy some of the most amazing peaches I’ve ever had. (A tip: don’t eat them in the car—they’re incredibly juicy!) Next, we’d head up to Grand Mesa for some trout fishing on one of the 300-plus lakes and enjoy the alpine climate, lush aspen forests, and groves of pine trees. On our way back, we’d stop at one of my favorite hidden gems, Pollo Asado, for some delicious grilled chicken.

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?
When I was 10 years old, my grandfather gave me a bandsaw, and when I was 12, he gave me a scroll saw. He instilled in me the belief that education, both hands-on and in the classroom, was of the utmost importance. Although he is no longer with us and wasn’t there to see me earn my Master of Fine Arts, I know he is always there in spirit. Now, I share my knowledge and upbringing with my students, continuing this legacy of shared learning. Being an educator means being a lifelong learner. I also want to thank all my professors and Art teachers throughout my life—their lessons and words have shaped me into the instructor I am today.

Website: https://www.trentpechon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trentpechon

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-pechon-12506b215/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trent.pechon