Darlys Ewoldt

STATEMENT

Fragments of memories, or words that resonate and stay within my mind converge with observations of the physical world during the course of my creative process.

My work is intimate in both scale and intention. They synthesis of organic forms with the influence of architectural elements create structures that are feminine, yet visually strong. Interior spaces and being drawn visually and conceptually into the heart of a form is intriguing to me. I intend to subtly suggest images that might evoke a feeling of discovery, memory, or contemplation in the observer.

BIO

Darlys Ewoldt was born and raised in rural Iowa. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Drake University and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Indiana University. During the ensuing years, Ewoldt has lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois. Her work has been included in numerous exhibitions and collections, and she has been the recipient of multiple grants and awards. Darlys Ewoldt teaches workshops and classes on metalsmithing, design, and patination techniques both nationally and internationally.

EXHIBITIONS/SHOWS/COMMISSIONS

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
“Re-Imagining Connection.” 3D4D Gallery, Chicago, Illinois. 2021
“My Voice Matters.” A.I.R. Gallery, Glencoe, Illinois
“2nd Craft Invitational.” Dubuque Museum of Art. Dubuque, Iowa. 2020
“Constructed Visions.” Bridgeport Art Center. Chicago, Illinois.
“Three Faces of Sculpture.” Space 900 Gallery. Evanston, Illinois.
“Elemental.” Adler Arts Center, Libertyville, Illinois. 2019
“Midwest Metalsmiths.” Vale Craft Gallery, Chicago, Illinois.
“Adorned Spaces.” SNAG Conference, Chicago, Illinois.
“Recent Works.” SOFA/Chicago, K. Allen Gallery, Chicago, Illinois. 2017
“Fragmentation.” Carla Massoni Gallery, Chesterton, Maryland.
“Recent Works.” SOFA/Chicago, K. Allen Gallery, Chicago, Illinois. 2016
“Structure and Form.” Gravers Lane Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2015
“Behold – Modern Metal Vessels.” Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, Illinois. 2015
“Made in Illinois.” Robert Morris University Gallery, Chicago, Illinois.
“Sculpture Invasion.” Koehnline Museum of Art, Des Plaines, Illinois.
“Transformations of Memory and Form.” SOFA/Chicago, K. Allen Gallery, 2014
Chicago, Illinois.
“Sense of Scale.” Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, Illinois.
“Metalsmithing Today: The Vessel.” Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art,
Midland, Michigan.
“On the Surface: Outward Appearances.” Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua, New York.
“Playing With Fire.” Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Observation and Response – Forms in Metal.” (solo exhibition) Contemporary 2013
Art Center of Peoria, Peoria, Illinois.
“Forging Interior Spaces.” SOFA/Chicago, K. Allen Gallery, Chicago, Illinois.
“The Art of Craft.” Evanston Art Center, Evanston, Illinois.
“CU29 – Work in Copper.” Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, Arizona. 2012
“Teapots!” Morgan Contemporary Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2011
“Memory and Reflection.” (solo exhibition) James R. Thompson Center,
Chicago, Illinois.
“Flora and Fauna.” Del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, California. 2010
“Transformations.” The Staunton-Augusta Art Center, Staunton, Virginia.
“New, Novel, and Never Shown Before 2008: Recent Gifts to the Collection.” 2008
Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin.
“29th Annual Contemporary Crafts.” Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, Arizona.
“Midwest Metal Artists Invitational.” Northeastern Illinois University, 2006
Chicago, Illinois.
“Metalize.” D.A.M. Gallery, Detroit, Michigan.
“Vessels: A Solo Exhibition.” Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. 2003
“Transformation.” Society for Contemporary Craft. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“Expressions.” Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York. 2002
“Works from Metalsmith: Exhibition in Print.” SOFA/Chicago, Chicago Illinois. 2000

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Racine Art Museum. Racine, Wisconsin.
Barr Foundation. Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Kamm Teapot Foundation. Sparta, North Carolina.
Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri.
Evanston Hospital. Evanston-Northwestern Healthcare. Evanston, Illinois.
Highland Park Hospital. Evanston-Northwestern Healthcare. Highland Park, Illinois.
Borg-Warner Corporation. Chicago, Illinois.
Blank-Rome, LLC. Los Angeles. CA and Pittsburgh, PA
Center for Art in Wood. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. Toledo, Ohio.

EDUCATION

MASTER OF FINE ARTS. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. 1982
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS. Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. 1977
Drake University in Florence, Italy. 1975-76

AWARDS

Individual Artist Project Grant – Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs. 2021
Faculty Development Grant. Columbia College Chicago. 2020
Professional Development Grant. Illinois Arts Council. 2018
Award of Excellence. Memorial Art Gallery. Rochester, New York.
Workshop Scholarship. Pittsburgh Glass Center. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Professional Development Grant. DCASE, Chicago, Illinois 2016
Faculty Development Grant. Columbia College Chicago.
Bronze Award. Smithsonian Craft Show. Washington, D.C. 2014
Best of Metal. Chicago Metal Arts Guild Exhibition. 2010
Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award. 2008
Purchase Award. American Craft Exposition, Evanston, Illinois. 2007
Travel Grant. Embassy of the United States of America. (travel to Australia) 2006
Travel Grant. Columbia College Chicago. (travel to Australia)
Workshop Grant. Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG).
Illinois Arts Council Finalist Award. 2004
Project Grant. The George Sugarman Foundation. 2003
Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award. 2001
Award For Excellence. Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, D.C.
Governor James R. Thompson Award for Excellence. Illinois Artisans Program.
Purchase Award. American Craft Exposition, Evanston, Illinois. 2000
Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award. 1999
Craftsmenʼs Choice Award. Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, D.C.
Best of Metal. American Craft Exposition, Evanston, Illinois.
Second Prize. Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
CAAP Project Grant. Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs / Illinois Arts Council. 1993 & 1988
Project Grant. Ruth Chenven Foundation. New York, New York. 1993
Ford Foundation Fellowship Award. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. 1980
Ford Foundation Project Grant. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
National Society of Arts and Letters Award. Bloomington, Indiana.

TAGS

Metal sculpture, Abstract sculpture, Patinas, Synthesis of organic and architectural forms, Poetic forms of containment, Vessels