Brian Schorn has earned MFA degrees in fine art photography, graphic design, creative writing and electronic music. Since the 1990s, he has taught visual art, photography, comparative art, digital art, sound art, graphic design and creative writing at Interlochen Arts Academy, University of Michigan, Brown University, Eastern Michigan University and Grand Valley State University. Currently, Schorn teaches full-time and is the Program Director in the Art+Design Program at Alpena Community College.
Brian frequently contributes to art exhibitions and publications as a curator, juror and designer. Brian’s own art is in numerous private collections as well as the public collections of Seligmann Center for Surrealism; Berkeley Art Museum’s Pacific Film Archive; Besser Museum of Art, Science and History; University of Michigan Art Museum, and the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science.
Brian says he combines found and natural materials, humor, simplicity and a heightened attention to process to engage the world in a curious, spacious, and open manner. Ultimately, his art practice is an ongoing attempt to see things as they are and to work with things as they are.
See more about Brian at his website, BrianSchorn.com.
The photos above show the fun that the 2024 class had. The excitement began at the Lost Lake Woods Club annual rummage sale, held on the club grounds. Students were given $20 and one hour to find a collection of small items and materials to use in their constructions.
After that frenzy, it was back to the club to start assembling the goodies into personal works of art.
The 2025 workshop will begin with the same visit to the big rummage sale, then focus on practicing the Japanese philosophy and aesthetic of “wabi-sabi.” Essentially, “wabi-sabi” celebrates the beauty found in imperfection, all things aged, ripped, worn, rusted and flawed. An overview of “wabi-wabi” and mixed-media, found-object art will be presented along with a variety of tips and techniques. Various projects and exercises will be offered.
Please bring any small-scale, found objects you’d like to use in your work. Then add to your supplies at the rumage sale.
All levels of experience. Class limit is 12 students.
Small, used found objects
Wire, string, rope or other binding materials
Fabric scraps
Metal scraps
Collage scraps
Maps
Acrylic paints and brushes
Gel and glaze medium
Alcohol inks
Rubbing alcohol
Rubber stamps, ink pads, re-inker tubes
Oil pastels
Dried tea bags
Sea sponges
Construction paper
Tissue paper
Rice paper
Cheesecloth
Wood, matboard, canvas, and/or paper support material
Tacky white glue
5-minute epoxy
Spray bottle
Suggested Reading
“Wabi-Sabi for Artists. Designers, Poets & Philosophers” by Leonard Koren
Note: Brian will bring a variety of hand and battery-powered tools (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, drill, jigsaw, circular saw, palm sander) along with hardware (screws, nails, tacks, etc.). Additionally, he will offer used books for collage material and an assortment of supplies and materials for mixed-media assemblage projects.
