Close
General Description of Work: Pam's work includes basket making that incorporates other materials. She also produces drums and other percussion instruments. Her exploration of form and texture have allowed her to successfully utilize recycled objects in work that suggests the fragility and beauty of the earth.
An artist listed in the Iowa Arts Council's Arts in Education Artists Roster, Pam allows students to make their own explorations of form and aesthetics. Pam not only explores the world through art, but through travel as well. She has studied and taught in Nicaragua and Mexico, and exhibits her work throughout the United States.
The artists team of Pam Dennis and Ryk Weiss explores the infinite variety of combinations possible in a few simple materials, bringing together their past experience with willow and weaving and the many textures possible with clay and copper. They combine these skills with inspirations from teaching, and their travels around the US and in Central America. They often combine a residency with students and the community to plan and build their projects. Their goal is to make their work feel familiar, yet achieve a combination of forms not experienced before.
Services Offered 1: Services: 1) Residencies (education) - Pam enjoys teaching students of elementary age through adult. Her residencies contain strong environmental messages that encourage students to appreciate the uniqueness and fragility of the earth. For more information, please see Pam's listing in the Arts in Education Artists Roster.
Regions: All Regions
Months available: : All Year
Residency Description: Pam's residencies allow students to make their own explorations of form and aesthetics. She not only explores the world through art, but through travel as well. Through the use of found objects, students create sculptural forms using plants, cloth, paper, clay, metal, etc. The basic forms are willow or wire frames woven and embellished with recycled objects. Students generally create a large collaborative work (wall collage, sculpture, basket) as a permanent piece for the school. These materials and techniques are also used for individual projects from simple percussion instruments to found object jewelry. The variety of materials used can encompass the skill levels from K-adults. Through the use of common materials Pam strongly emphasizes the fragility of our environment, the importance of caring for the earth, and an awareness of beauty hidden within everything. Pam Dennis is approved by the Institute for Character Development to conduct Character Counts! Through the Arts! residencies.
Core Group Preference: Elementary (k-6), Middle (7-9), Secondary (10-12)
