Moxie Works Studio is launching an inclusive initiative called, “Sponsor a Stool.” This is created by local artist and community arts facilitator Eli Zemper. Eli founded Moxie Works Studio and Curiouser Clay, “an inclusive art studio where artists with disabilities create, experiment, and shape a shared creative culture.”
This initiative is part of the Michigan Growth Office Pitch Haus residency, a grant competition across Michigan meant to support art as a blank canvas for creativity. Chelsea was chosen as one of four winners in this contest, thanks to Eli.
Pitch Haus is basically a shipping container that an artist can use however they’d like. It had windows, outlets, and blank walls that are itching to be decorated.
Moxie Works Studio and Curiouser Clay
The studio itself is a nonprofit organization where you can create art. There is wood, ceramic, painting, and more. While the space is all inclusive, it is primarily for artists with disabilities. According to their website, “We believe that everyone deserves a space where they can create freely, connect with others, and feel truly seen and valued. Our work is rooted in the idea that art can bring people together in meaningful ways, opening the door to expression, confidence, and community.”
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Seat at the table
Eli is going to be taking a shipping table to create a two-week interactive art-installation. The focus of their piece is inclusion and storytelling, which isn’t surprising considering the artist’s focus on disability and inclusivity.
Community members can participate by Sponsoring a Stool. For $99.00, you can sponsor one of 25 hand-painted stools. The stool will be part of the exhibition before becoming yours to take home. Your sponsorship includes the stool itself, a personalized, engraved name plate, and an original print from the artist.
Each stool is painted by artists from the Soaring Arts Studio and helps to fund accessible studio programs as well as startup costs for the Moxie Work Studio. “Sponsoring a stool is a way of helping create space,” said Zemper. “Not symbolic space — actual creative space where artists can gather, experiment, collaborate and develop their Work.”
You can see the collection of stools on June 13-27 in the Chelsea State Bank Parting lot, located at 1010 S. Main Street. Not only can you see the collection of stools, but there will be workshops, art-making experiences, tea gathering and exhibits from local artists of all mediums.
You’ll get to see clay, printmaking, natural dyes, textile arts and more. And the best part is it’s completely community made, and includes work from both disabled individuals and students.
“At its heart, Seat at the Table asks what changes when more people are genuinely invited into creative life — not as spectators or clients, but as artists, collaborators, and community members,” Zemper said.
Art and disability
Art and disability are tied together. Disabled artists have a unique perspective that comes through in their art. Whether it’s a physical piece, or something less tangible such as music or a show, the disabled perspective is unique and beautiful.
Every piece of art by a disabled person pushes against the ableist belief that disabled people cannot create or exist in the same way an able bodied person can. As a proud member of the disabled community, it’s a privilege to be a part of this community, and have someone in Chelsea championing the disabled community.
The Chelsea Pitch Haus residency is presented in partnership with Chelsea Area Friends for Recreation, Chelsea State Bank and Lianna Naebeck Reinhart Realtors. Workshop schedules, sponsorship opportunities, and additional information can be found at: https://curiouserclay.com/pitch-haus
