PlayDate Artist Residency
Thursday, November 6 - Saturday, November 8
A New Chapter at ShopSpace: Artist Residencies Begin
We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone for ShopSpace - our very first Artist Residency Program! This November, we’re kicking things off by welcoming two world-renowned artists, Elizabeth Brim and Vivian Beer, as they collaborate on a one-of-a-kind sculptural work right here in Raleigh.
For years, ShopSpace has been honored to host talented instructors from across North Carolina. Now, we’re expanding that vision with residencies that give artists space, time, and community to create while giving our members and the public rare insight into their process. This is just the beginning of something we’re incredibly excited to weave into ShopSpace’s programming for years to come.
Elizabeth and Vivian are celebrated makers whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the Smithsonian, the Memphis Metal Museum, and the NC Museum of Art - among many others. Bringing artists of this caliber to Raleigh is a true honor, and we can’t wait for you to connect with them.
Save the Dates:
Thursday, Nov 6
Cocktails & Reception
Join us for an intimate evening with Elizabeth and Vivian. Enjoy food, conversation, and a behind-the-scenes look at their designs, inspirations, and past work.
6:30 - 8:30pm - Opening Reception
Saturday, Nov 8
Open House & Sculpture Unveiling
We’re opening the doors for a day full of demonstrations, food, music, and community. Explore the shop, watch the artists at work, browse our student gallery, and be there for the official unveiling of the finished sculpture. Free and open to the public.
4 - 6pm - ShopSpace Community demonstrations
6pm - Sculpture Reveal + Q&A with the artists
Meet this Year’s Artists
Elizabeth Brim
Elizabeth Brim is a blacksmith as well as a teacher, living in western North Carolina. She's best known for feminine imagery in her ironwork.
A native of Columbus, Georgia, she graduated with an MFA in printmaking before studying and working with a variety of materials at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Quite unexpectedly, she fell in love with iron.
With a unique juxtaposition of the feminine and the ferrous, Brim transforms the frilly dresses, fairy tales, and gender expectations of her childhood into remarkable works of social commentary.
Vivian Beer
Vivian Beer is a furniture designer/maker/sculptor based in New England.
Her sleek, abstracted metal and concrete furniture combines the aesthetic sensibilities of contemporary design, craft, and sculpture to create furniture that alter expectations of and interface with the domestic landscape. With a strong foundation in contemporary furniture design, her recent research into the history of American industry, architecture, and transportation—supported in part by a 2014 Research Fellowship at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum—adds intellectual rigor and specificity to her work.
Grand Patron Sponsors
Events like this take a village, and we’d love your support in making it a success. The biggest way you can help is by spreading the word and showing up to celebrate with us! We’ll also be hosting a raffle, student gallery sales, and a donation drive - all of which directly support the artists and help us grow this residency program.
This is just the first step in a bigger journey: supporting craft artists, sharing their work with our community, and building opportunities for collaboration and education at ShopSpace.
We can’t wait to see you in November as we launch this new chapter together.
Get Involved!
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This event isn’t possible without the support of our community. Sponsorship begins at $500, with added benefits at higher levels.
$1,000+ sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the Opening Cocktail Reception & Dinner.
All sponsors enjoy prominent brand exposure on event materials.
Opportunities to host a demo, showcase products, and connect directly with makers.
Build community goodwill by supporting skills-building and creative entrepreneurship.
Gain visibility through shared social media and post-event highlights that spotlight your expertise.
Your sponsorship ensures the success of this event and helps launch the future of our Artist Residency program.
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Show off what you’ve been creating at ShopSpace! We’re inviting all members and students to display their work in our Student Gallery during the residency weekend. Pieces will be available for purchase, with ShopSpace taking a 15% commission on sales. You may opt to donate more of your sales to ShopSpace.
Details:
All types of work are welcome
Limit of 3 pieces per person
Contact lucas@shopspace.org with a description of the pieces you’d like to display
Work must be dropped off by Tuesday, November 4th
This is a great chance to share your creativity with the community—and maybe send a piece home with a new admirer!
Your donation helps make this event possible and supports the future of Artist Residencies at ShopSpace. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference.
Donate!
Event Sponsors
Catherine Williams
Jim Smith