Santiago Receives Honorable Mention

September 8, 2011

Professor and Printmaking Coordinator Maria Santiago was awarded an honorable mention award at the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition for her embossed copper relief Feminine Creative Fire. According to Santiago, "This particular piece, Feminine Creative Fire is a continuation of my Primal Forms Series of prints. There is no definitive narrative here but suggestions and trails. Primal form is an engaging idea about origins, growth and transformation, and the building blocks of life. In this particular piece I focus on feminine creative fire but also the reconciliation of opposites within sacred space. In my past paintings and prints, I have layered silver leaf, and metallic paints, and inks, and have built up surfaces with impasto or collage. Now I have added relief embossing on copper foil to my repertoire, as is visible in the print on exhibit."

Santiago has taught for over 32 years at the College of Visual Arts, where she continues to co-ordinate the Fine Arts Printmaking area that she developed. Maria has been active on Latino artist advisory panels for developing shows such as “Ultrabaroque” at the Walker and “Chicano Visions” at the Weisman. She has been recognized for her artwork in Sculpture, Printmaking, and Painting, and has had numerous shows, grants, and awards including support from a National Endowment grant for her printmaking.

Image Credit

Feminine Creative Fire, 2011
black ink and embossed copper relief