Li Hardison + Colfax Community Network

In Residence: November 10 – December 19, 2008Exhibition opens December 18; continues through January 9, 2009Learning Lab: Colfax Community NetworkDuring her two-month residency at PlatteForum, Li Hardison completed the clay sculpture Homage to Judith Jamisonthat will be cast into bronze in the coming months. Homage to Judith Jamison is the first in a series of tributes to black women artists who have inspired so many. As a child Hardison found her inspiration from celebrated sculptor and aunt Inge Hardison. “With this new series, I want to do for children what was done for me by my aunt who embodies the ‘I can’ in her life,” states Hardison. During her residency Hardison worked with twelve youth, ages 9-11, creating relief sculptures. Beginning with handpicked images by the children, youth from Colfax Community Network and ArtLab Jr’slearned techniques in drawing, sculpting and painting. The students have fallen in love with mother earth during their time spent at PlatteForum.  Buffalo, flamingos, tigers, snakes and bears roam in relief sculptures representing the students’ favorite and most cherished creature of the earth. Using plasteline clay, algenate molds, and plaster casts, each participant created two relief sculptures included in the exhibition Homage to the Earth.Colfax Community NetworkMandie Birchem, Children's Program DirectorStudents: Brandon, Olivia, Ashley, Rayann, Maria, Lea, Breanna, Mariah, Isaac, Andrew, Chris & JoelAssisted by: Randy David, Meagan Miesen, Taryn Slawson, Therese Coco,Eddie Orozco, Jasmine Naranjo, Ruben Villalobos, Andrea Ruiz, Yesenia Estala, Marcos Sanda, Diana Chairez, Jasmine ZionSpecial thanks to:Fedde Bronze Works, Jonas Supply Company, Western Sculpture Supply, Efrain Cruz, Amy Miller, Bruce Fowler, Karen Saenz, Total Beverage Company, Gourmet Fine Catering , Darby Donahue, owner, Cindy Haner