"BILL CRANE" at Interact Gallery
Interact is thrilled to announce the upcoming residency and solo exhibition of artist Bill Crane at Interact Gallery
Exhibition runs September 26 – October 31, 2024
Bill Crane (b. 1963) has practiced at Interact since it opened in 1996, and he has one of the longest running tenures at our studio. In the last 28 years, Crane has developed a massive body of work composed largely of ink drawings and acrylic paintings. His eponymous retrospective, BILL CRANE, will feature an extensive part of his archive. In densely filled drawings, explosive fields of color, and loosely rendered figures, Crane observes nature, family, and friends – often referencing scenes from the Interact studio, where he has long found inspiration. Alongside numerous portraits and landscapes, Crane's abstract works are deeply emotive, employing quick gestures and energetic pops of color.
Crane, who is Deaf, uses a combination of ASL and invented signs to communicate. His decades-long career as an artist expands on these modes of expression, each piece a site for novel connection. Community has been central to Crane's work for years. He works amongst Interact colleagues daily, sometimes enlisting them in his creative process. BILL CRANE will include an ongoing mixed media installation that he began in 2023, which has engaged assistance from Fiber Specialist Soph Munic (staff) and fellow artists throughout its creation. Crane's exploration of new media is fearless. Composed of drawings on cardboard, fabric, and other found materials, the installation will grow during his residency at Interact Gallery, likely extending from floor to ceiling by the time the exhibition opens.
Coinciding zine release
Interact's Writers' Workshop, a group consisting of 15 artists, will visit the gallery during the course of Crane's residency. Crane, his archive, and his in-progress installation will serve as a catalyst for a zine that features poems, short fiction, and experimental written works. The zine will be released at the opening reception on September 26, and a number of artists will read their work aloud. ASL interpretation will be provided.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
BILL CRANE
September 26 – October 31, 2024
Open by appointment
Interact Gallery | 755 Prior Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55104
Make an appointment at calendly.com/interact-gallery or send us an email at gallery@interactcenter.com.
OPENING RECEPTION & ZINE RELEASE
Thursday, September 26, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public. Light snacks and beverages provided.
ACCESSIBILITY
ASL interpretation will be provided for readings at the event. Please visit this page for more comprehensive information. Interact strives to be a welcoming and accessible place for all visitors. If there is something we can do to make it easier to visit us, please contact us at gallery@interactcenter.com. We welcome all suggestions and requests.
COVID-10 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
At this time, masks are optional at Interact Gallery.
Image descriptions: Top: A drawing by Bill Crane shows a figure drawn roughly with black lines. Their body is filled with strokes of orange, purple, brown, red, pink, yellow, green, pink, and blue marker. Handwritten text at the top reads "BILL CRANE BC BILL CR." More handwritten text at the bottom appears to read "CRANE BILL." Slider: Various images of Bill through the years show him at work in the studio. Some images are from 20 years ago, and some are more recent. Images of Crane's drawings, paintings, and sculptures are interspersed throughout. The artwork is vivid, often featuring figures, superheroes, and landscapes.