This April, we’re sending our fans on a scavenger hunt! We’ve teamed up with local artist/ ceramicist Angie Benson to create 25 ceramic figurines that celebrate our local native species. Check our Instagram feed and stories daily for clues, then strike out into nature for a chance to find your very own piece of art celebrating UpstreamPgh’s 25th anniversary!
Meet the Artist: Angie Benson
My art is an invitation to slow down and notice. In my typical work I tend to focus on my fascination with the forest floor and its “microhabitats”. The quiet, intricate ecosystems that are easily hiked past or stepped over without a second thought. I love creating a textured surface on my pottery that honors the life often left unseen.
Having lived my entire life in Northern Appalachia, I have developed a deep love for the forest and the peace and sense of belonging it brings me. This is where I feel my deepest spiritual connection and I choose to honor that through my art work.
For this specific project with UpstreamPgh, I drew inspiration from Pennsylvania’s native wildlife, using digital references to capture the intricate details of each species. While accuracy was important, I infused every piece with my own artistic touch. The size of these pieces, I believe, was the biggest challenge for me. Attempting to capture each species essence on such a small work surface. My process for each piece involved a lot of trial and error and followed a “general to specific” philosophy. Starting with a simple mass of clay, I deconstructed complex biological forms into basic shapes, gradually honing them into life-like paws, wings, tails, and petals over time.
