Christalena Goes To Budapest
Donation protected
Who am I?
As many of you know, my art practice is incredibly important to me. If you’ve been down to my Pilsen studio you know that I work in the small space that Iive, or more aptly I live in the space that I work. These two terms have become one and the same. My work is not only my profession or passion but has become a way of living and I need your help to take an important step with it.
What Is It?
I’ve been accepted to the International Artist Residency Program in Budapest and hope to be there this coming summer from June 14 - July 4. This annual program is run by the Hungarian Multicultural Center which is a non profit whose mission is to bridge cultural, geographic and linguistic divides between the US and Hungary through art. The residency program was founded in 1995 and offers a unique opportunity for artists from around the world to work amongst one another in a new environment while learning about their respective cultures.
Why Do I Want To Do It?
I am particularly interested in this site of cultural exploration for two reasons related to my work in quilt making. Quilts have historically operated as unofficial, familial record keeping devices that are passed down as heirlooms through generations. Examples include Amish wedding quilts which marked a union of two people and Victorian mourning or “crazy” quilts that were made with scraps of clothing and linens from a deceased person by their female friends and family members. I first became interested in these traditions as a child, growing up in Lancaster Pennsylvania among the original Amish settlers while also learning to sew from my mother at a young age. This influence continues to fuel my work.
What Will I Be Doing?
In Budapest I will be able to conduct research on the rich history of Hungarian quilt making practices which include kekfesto cotton and the 18th Century guilds that were established around its production. I plan to visit the Bluedye Museum in Papa, which is the only blueprint museum in Central Eastern Europe, focusing on this very old tradition of ‘Hungarian Blue Quilts.’ In addition, I will conduct research into my own family heritage. My great, great grandparents Johan and Catherina Humenik immigrated to Pennsylvania from Jakfalva, Hungary, leaving many family members whom continue to live in this small farming town, 2.5 hours from Budapest. I plan to meet and interview them in hopes of enriching the understanding of my family before completing a piece for an exhibition in Budapest August 2017.
How You Can Help
I’m currently a part time lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and summer is particularly difficult financially as I must rely on flexible and part time jobs such as waiting tables. Taking any time away from this schedule results in no income so it’s difficult to take trips during the summer. Please consider donating any amount of money which will go toward the flight, room / board, materials, travel costs and residency fees associated with this exciting opportunity.
Your support will benefit my professional practice on many levels and each donor will receive a small work from my studio after I complete the residency. This research will be used in the courses I teach in the Fiber and Material Studies Department at SAIC as well as give greater understanding into my family history and contribute to my growing art practice. Your support means the world to me. THANK YOU!!!
For more info on my work please click HERE
As many of you know, my art practice is incredibly important to me. If you’ve been down to my Pilsen studio you know that I work in the small space that Iive, or more aptly I live in the space that I work. These two terms have become one and the same. My work is not only my profession or passion but has become a way of living and I need your help to take an important step with it.
What Is It?
I’ve been accepted to the International Artist Residency Program in Budapest and hope to be there this coming summer from June 14 - July 4. This annual program is run by the Hungarian Multicultural Center which is a non profit whose mission is to bridge cultural, geographic and linguistic divides between the US and Hungary through art. The residency program was founded in 1995 and offers a unique opportunity for artists from around the world to work amongst one another in a new environment while learning about their respective cultures.
Why Do I Want To Do It?
I am particularly interested in this site of cultural exploration for two reasons related to my work in quilt making. Quilts have historically operated as unofficial, familial record keeping devices that are passed down as heirlooms through generations. Examples include Amish wedding quilts which marked a union of two people and Victorian mourning or “crazy” quilts that were made with scraps of clothing and linens from a deceased person by their female friends and family members. I first became interested in these traditions as a child, growing up in Lancaster Pennsylvania among the original Amish settlers while also learning to sew from my mother at a young age. This influence continues to fuel my work.
What Will I Be Doing?
In Budapest I will be able to conduct research on the rich history of Hungarian quilt making practices which include kekfesto cotton and the 18th Century guilds that were established around its production. I plan to visit the Bluedye Museum in Papa, which is the only blueprint museum in Central Eastern Europe, focusing on this very old tradition of ‘Hungarian Blue Quilts.’ In addition, I will conduct research into my own family heritage. My great, great grandparents Johan and Catherina Humenik immigrated to Pennsylvania from Jakfalva, Hungary, leaving many family members whom continue to live in this small farming town, 2.5 hours from Budapest. I plan to meet and interview them in hopes of enriching the understanding of my family before completing a piece for an exhibition in Budapest August 2017.
How You Can Help
I’m currently a part time lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and summer is particularly difficult financially as I must rely on flexible and part time jobs such as waiting tables. Taking any time away from this schedule results in no income so it’s difficult to take trips during the summer. Please consider donating any amount of money which will go toward the flight, room / board, materials, travel costs and residency fees associated with this exciting opportunity.
Your support will benefit my professional practice on many levels and each donor will receive a small work from my studio after I complete the residency. This research will be used in the courses I teach in the Fiber and Material Studies Department at SAIC as well as give greater understanding into my family history and contribute to my growing art practice. Your support means the world to me. THANK YOU!!!
For more info on my work please click HERE
Organizer
Christalena Hughmanick
Organizer
Chicago, IL
