Featured Member: Laurie Zaiger
NAME: Laurie Zaiger
MEMBER SINCE: January 2017
PROFESSION/VOCATION?: artist teacher
Q0. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: I have always been a maker, first traditional handwork and reused/repurposed materials. I become restless if I don't have a few projects going. In college, I started in textiles and ended in art education. I taught high school art and art education student teachers for twenty eight years and they taught me volumes. Now retired I get to hang out with my two big dogs, make art from other people’s junk, encourage my wild front yard garden, volunteer with all kinds of cool people at amazing non profits, and watch the hilarity of my children as parents, and hug my grandchildren.
Q1. YOU x YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO PS1: I grew up in Iowa City and moved back after being gone for 35 years. I heard and read about PS1 and attended a few events but was still working. So I decided that I could stay connected by becoming a sustaining donor. Now I have time and am looking forward to getting involved in some of the many opportunities PS1 brings to the community.
Q2. THE FIRST IMPRESSION: My first impression of Public Space One was the people of this community - vibrant, enthusiastic, and welcoming. The membership works hard together to create a strong and sustainable place for diverse voices to come together and make art, share experiences and ideas, and learn and grow. Even during the transition to the new home, they manage to continue their mission and to build on fresh possibilities.
Q3. THE BEST (AND WORST!?): The best aspect of Public Space One is their belief in art for all and subsequent programming that invites and supports all kinds of people and all kinds of art making. In my teaching, I quickly found that everyone wanted to make art and wanted to find a place to belong. Public Space One brings people together through art in a genuine and natural way.
Q4. WHY THE LOVE!?!? At this particular moment, we need Public Space One even more than ever. We need to hear the many and different voices through their art. We need the safe place to hold tricky conversations. We need to find opportunities to come together and build connections. I am thankful that Public Space One does all that!
Q5. PS1 x FUTURE: Bigger and better as the public finds them on the corner of Gilbert and Bloomington!