We are pleased to welcome Colleen RJC Bratton as our 2017 Artist in Residence through the Cascadia Arts Residency.
Colleen RJC Bratton is a visual artist based in Seattle, Washington. Born in 1989, Bratton grew up in the temperate drylands of Eastern Washington. Using painting and found fabrics Bratton addresses the relationship between self and space over time. Compositional elements within her objects and installations serve as representation of space and body and clues for an underlying internal dialogue. Revealed further through the works’ titles, this personal narrative provides a gateway for empathy as pieces are inspired by first-hand accounts of reconciliations and congruity between an environment and its occupants.
Bratton received her BA in Visual Arts from Seattle University in 2012. Her work has been shown widely in the Pacific Northwest. In 2016 Bratton attended the prestigious Vermont Studio Center and is returning again in the fall of 2017 She is a member of artist-run gallery SOIL.
The Cascadia Residency, in its second year, is a 9-month learning and working community of artists, church leaders and patrons. Five professional artists are paired with five churches from Portland, Seattle and Vancouver B.C to learn, create and connect. The residency begins Labor Day weekend and we’ll be continuing to share updates with you throughout the year. Please join us in welcoming Colleen RJC Bratton on September 17th and experience her art in person out on the lawn after service.
Throughout this year, you’ll see Colleen in many places, including in the children’s ministry, showing art in the ramp room, and leading a hands on workshop and artist talk in upcoming months. Do you have an idea of how Bethany arts and our Artist in Residence can help and inspire in a specific area of the church? Please write our arts elder Sarah Sawers and we’ll make it happen!
by Sarah R. Sawers, Arts Elder; art piece by Colleen RJC Bratton entitled “Lens Therapy”