Art in the Library with Teaching Artist Jennifer Prevatt

By Corinne Neary

FOR FIVE WEEKS, 15 adult patrons learned the basics of creating 3- dimensional paper artwork, and began creating the pieces to be displayed in “The Little Underground Gallery.” Photo by Jennifer Prevatt.

Regular visitors to the Jefferson Market Library will know that we often display work from local artists in our basement gallery space, dubbed “The Little Underground Gallery.” This month, we are particularly excited about what we have on display, as the exhibit combines some of our favorite things: the work of our patrons, and the culmination of one of our free classes: Spring Art Studio: Paper Relief Sculpture Workshop. 

For five weeks, 15 adult patrons learned the basics of creating 3-dimensional paper artwork, and began creating the pieces to be displayed in our gallery. Working with teaching artist Jennifer Prevatt, they are excited to share their work with our visitors during the month of May. The work will be on display beginning with a gallery opening on May 3 at 3 p.m. and will remain up until the end of the month. 

For a little more insight into the work produced in the class, we sat down with Jennifer Prevatt to ask a few questions. Some readers may remember the installation Jennifer created in our basement last Spring, when she turned our gallery wall into a giant paper cloud! This kind of large scale, sculpted paper art is a specialty of hers, one that she’s using to inspire our Spring Art Studio participants. 

We’re so happy to have you leading this Spring’s art studio course. How long have you been working as an artist? 

My first exhibition was in 2004 with the Harlem Open Artist Studio Tour. I’ve been exhibiting regularly since then, showing my work internationally and working as a children’s book illustrator since 2016. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your work? 

I have a background in scientific illustration and fine art. Drawing is central to my practice, but in recent years I have been experimenting with large scale installation work. I also work in animation and sculpture, always using paper as the primary material for its dichotomous nature of being both resilient and vulnerable. 

How has leading a class at the library been different than other venues? 

I’ve been a teaching artist since 2010, working with all ages. I love working with the local community in the West Village. There is a real sense of curiosity from the students that’s amplified within the library environment; everyone is really supportive of one another. 

What have the students been working on in class, and what can people expect to see when they visit the show? 

Students are learning how to transform paper into a 3-dimensional form in the style of a relief sculpture. The result is a variety of unique perspectives spanning representational to abstract works. 

Please come by the Little Underground Gallery during May to check out the artwork created by your neighbors! And stay tuned for a very exciting exhibit going up in June, highlighting vintage Gay magazines from the 1950s-70s! 

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PROUST CENTER UPDATE

William C. Carter’s final volume of Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time: Time Regained will be published in May. After waiting 12 years, the Proust Center is looking forward to reading Carter’s fully annotated Time Regained.