Newburyport Art welcomes NAA Master Artist Ryan Kelley, photographer Ryan Gregory, and writer (and former NAA Executive Director) Elena Ruocco Bachrach for a panel discussion on collaboration, artistic process, and the making of a book. Specifically, the panel will dive deep into the efforts behind the group’s creation of Deeply Rooted. This special event is free and open to the public, with a reception, book signing, and sale following the panel discussion.
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In early 2021, sculptor Ryan Kelley began to reflect on ten years of work as a professional artist. To mark this moment of personal introspection and professional achievement, he decided to publish a book chronicling the making of a very special sculpture, Prominence. While Prominence would provide the focus of the story, Ryan needed a storyteller and a photographer to round out the book project. After working together on other assignments, Ryan realized that his longtime colleague Elena Ruocco Bachrach might just be that storyteller – and new phase of their partnership began in earnest. While the writing was taking shape, over the course of several months, Ryan enlisted the talents of photographer Ryan Gregory to document the process of the making of Prominence. Book designer Meg Saunders choreographed the sculpture, the words, and the photographs into the final book design.
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Artist and sculptor Ryan Kelley of Byfield, Massachusetts creatively transforms wire, wood, metal and stone into unique pieces of art. Ryan is an experienced creative driving change in the artistic community around him with hundreds of creations and commissioned pieces to his name. Kelley’s work can be seen in homes and businesses throughout the country and around the world. Over the years his pieces have grown in scale and intricacy, much like his signature trees crafted from hundreds or even thousands of wires.
A self-taught artist, Ryan began creating art during free time in high school. His works quickly changed from small gifts for friends and family to beautiful pieces of art for clients and customers. In the early years of his career he joined the Newburyport Art Association as a member and then as a Board Member, significantly growing and changing his artistic passion and knowledge along with his connection to the local artists, organizations, and schools. Ryan has received numerous awards for Best Work in Sculpture at associations across the state, and exhibits his work in multiple galleries in other states.
As his career has evolved over the past 10 years, Ryan has narrowed his focus and interest to several main areas. Education- visiting local schools or organizations as a guest speaker or visiting artist working with students of all ages, as well as hosting adult classes in various locations monthly. Studio work- creating wire trees and some other sculptures for sale through him, galleries, or exhibitions. Commissioned work- working with a variety of clients on projects ranging from custom sculptures to residential and commercial installations involving multiple local artists and craftspeople.
wirebyryan.com
ryan@wirebyryan.com
@wirebyryan -
Ryan Gregory’s fascination with the photographic image began when he was ten years old when his grandfather shared slides of photographs he had taken while serving as an Airforce pilot overseas. Ryan was captivated by the stories the images conveyed and, even at a young age, appreciated the weight a photograph could hold.
Moving from his grandfather’s slide shows, Ryan began to experiment with an iPod and GoPro. He borrowed money from his parents to purchase his first camera, a Nikon D500. With freelance work (high school senior portraits and local paper photography assignments), he was able to repay his parents in eight short months. He pursued his interests further joining the film club at Masconomet High School. While at Boston University, majoring in TV and film, he joined the sports club and excelled in sports photography capturing images of Boston professional sports teams. During this period Ryan started to grow and cultivate an extensive network in Greater Boston, and he shifted his focus to events photography, drawing on his special skills for capturing fast paced action and for predicting the best positioning for an image. Before long, it was obvious to Ryan that he needed to form his own LLC – and he has worked as a professional photographer, non-stop, ever since. While grounded in event photography (where he enjoys full creative freedom), Ryan also has his hands (and eyes) in other forms of photography, video, production, sports, short and feature films, and editing. Ryan’s goal, no matter the form of photographic expression, is to “show the viewers things they otherwise would not see.” All the while, Ryan continued his studies and graduated from Boston University, honoring the wishes of his family.
rgphoto.com
rlgeditor@gmail.com
@rlgphotog -
For over twenty years, Elena has served in a variety of executive and senior level roles in the arts, arts administration, and higher education spaces. Elena’s professional, personal, intellectual, and artistic journey has led to Writing Art. Elena established Writing Art in 2022 to serve artists as well as arts & culture organizations with writing and editing projects, discrete and/or long-term. This work is informed by Elena’s prior work when applying her instinct and insight to identify connections among people and ideas – with the goal to create win-win solutions. After completing a Ph.D. in Political Economy and African Studies at Northwestern University, Elena’s professional chapters have included: Special Assistant to the President at The New School; Assistant to the President & Director of Special Programs at Bennington College; Dean of Admissions & the First Year at Bennington College; Director of the Center for Education at the Greenville Museum of Art; Partner at Jewett Farms Studio; Executive Director at the Newburyport Art Association; and Director of Development/Foundation Partnerships at MASSCreative. Elena thrives where art and business intersect. The space at this intersection is where artists, arts and culture organizations must sometimes reside to celebrate their art and work. Elena brings to the writing and editing her curiosity, sensibility, empathy, respect, awe, and a capacity to see what is possible and how to get there. When not writing and/or collaborating with clients and partners, Elena enjoys time with her husband Bill, two sons David (& his wife Tiasha) and Min, and their dog Luca; travel; cooking; and the challenges of her personal writing projects.
writingart.net
elena@writingart.net
@writingarterb -
Meg has worked as a graphic designer and art director for a variety of companies for over twelve years. The companies range from startups to fortune 500 enterprises in the biotechnology, medical device, higher education, and commercial real estate industries.
Meg has a combined talent for print and web design which she applies to a variety of in house, agency, and freelance settings. She understands and values all facets of the design process; she has an appreciation of client needs specifically relative to achieving their marketing goals.
Meg earned her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Portland, Oregon and a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Boston University. While attending Boston University, Meg was awarded two design scholarships. Deeply Rooted is the second book project she has been tapped to design by Ryan Kelley.
Meg has been running her design business Marshall Creative Design for twelve years. She has also taught Web Design at the New Hampshire Institute of Art.
Meg and her husband Todd are raising their two children Tucker and Annie along with their spunky bernedoodle Butters. They love playing at the beach and spending time with their family.
marshallcreativedesign.com
marshallcreativedesign1@gmail.com
@megger107