Free Agents: In Residence with Furniture and Woodworking, 2010-2022
Spring, 2022
Free Agents brings together participants in SDSU Furniture Design and Woodworking’s Artist in Residence Program. Generously funded by the Windgate Charitable Foundation since its inception in 2010, this program has become a fundamental part of the Furniture curriculum, hosting active artists at varying points in their careers from a range of backgrounds and practices. The 24 artists represented in this exhibition worked alongside SDSU Furniture graduate and undergraduate students, creating their unique works in an open and supportive setting; afforded time and space to develop new work, solve old problems, experiment, and take risks. The residency offers a rare chance to step away from their typical day-to-day life and comfort zones, to create within SDSU Furniture’s dynamic studio environment; carving out time to delve into new territory and reflect on what comes of it.
Some choose to step back from established patterns, to research and develop speculative works, while others refine already imagined works. All of them, though, have left their mark on SDSU’s Furniture Design and Woodworking program, forging bonds with students and faculty; bringing new ideas and attitudes to the studio. They leave revitalized and go back to their lives having advanced their practice in profound ways and knowing they made a lasting contribution to the community at SDSU and in San Diego at large.