The Austin Art Space artists-in-residence cooperative has expanded to include sculptor and artist Cindy Debold, and photographer and photo artist Trish Nedry, bringing the total number of studio artists up to ten. The studio has broadened its scope markedly since the beginning of the year, adding a total of four new artists.

Initially known for her sculpture, Cindy Debold’s unbridled enthusiasm for all forms of artistic expression have led her to painting and design as well. Many of her sculptures are realistic figures commissioned for public spaces. Texas City, TX commissioned her for life-size busts of Martin Luther King, Lincoln, Eisenhower, Johnson and George H. Bush along with a bronze face cast of Barbara Jordan. And, a smaller bust of Martin Luther King has been on display at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. By contrast, her paintings use bright colors and take a more expressionistic approach. Abstractions and emotions meld.

Ms. Debold said, “One of the reasons I’m excited about joining Austin Art Space is that having a place to display my work and get feedback gives me a great incentive to turn my many ideas into tangible works of art. I plan on having several new pieces in my studio space at the beginning of every month. Sometimes bronze or concrete or plaster sculptures. Other times, paintings that may be representational or abstract.”

Trish Nedry’s perspective is deeply influenced by photographs by Margaret Bourke-White, Imogen Cunningham and Depression-era Farm Security Administration photographers. After more than 40 years, her striking photographs evoke a visceral reaction that words cannot and connects her to the viewer directly, as if they both share the same vision. More recently, her work has been evolving, through enhanced photography, to blur the line between picture taking and picture making, creating unique perceptions of the visual world.

Ms. Nedry became part of Austin Art Space for personal and professional reasons. She said, “This affords me the opportunity to re-dedicate myself to my art. The professional atmosphere and the artistic level of the resident artists raise my personal creative challenges that much more.”

Valerie Walden, director of Austin Art Space commented, “Cindy and Trish are marvelous additions to our oeuvre. They represent new mediums and creativity that complement and expand our perspective. And, now that we have ten resident artists, there are more possibilities for configuring special exhibitions.”

Ms. Walden continued, “With the presentation of the “For the Love of Art” exhibit this month, Austin Art Space will have presented the work of nearly 100 different artists from all over Texas, New York, Alaska, France and New Zealand since we opened in November of 2008. Clearly, we are accomplishing our mission of providing a space for established and emerging artists to present their work.”

Two other juried exhibitions are part of Austin Art Space’s permanent show schedule: “What Texas Means to Me” in July/August and “12Buy12” in December. Numerous other solo and group exhibits are in the works throughout the year including special shows by artists-in-residence.