Artist seeks to explore art through the world of touch

Published 9:27 am Friday, February 24, 2017

A Rochester artist who makes sculptures with wool fibers will showcase work at The Albert Lea Art Center for the next month.

A non-binary artist who likes to explore the art world through touch, Amarama Vercnocke uses self-taught technique felting methods involving needle felting wool into sculpture formats.

The goal is to explore how the public interacts with fiber artworks in addition to creating pieces that invoke an emotional response to those senses, according to an artist statement.

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Vercnocke received an Associate of Arts degree from Winona State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Winona State University in 2003.

In addition to fiber art, Vercnocke enjoys working with stained glass, acrylic paintings, oil pastels, woodworking, etching, soap stone carving and water colors.

Vercnocke came up with the term “wool sculpting” to describe the technique she has used over the last 11 years. In 2008, Vercnocke started her own art business, AmaramA Art, which has led to various soft sculptures, paintings and mosaics within the United States and around the world in private collections.

In 2016, Vercnocke received a SEMAC Established Artist Grant and a public artwork grant in 2017 for Arts4Trails in Rochester. The artist is also part of the Rochester Art Center, C4, Rochester Arts Ensemble, as well as Gallery 24 co-op.

The exhibit begins with an open house slated for 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

It runs through March 25, and gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The Albert Lea Art Center is at 226 W. Clark St.

If you go

What: Amarama Vercnocke exhibit open house

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Albert Lea Art Center

Cost: Free