The Shop
Featured Artist
Jennifer Rose Wolken Artist Statement: "As an undergraduate studying graphic design and illustration, instructors who had made artists’ books sparked a desire to explore this form. Deep dives looking for makers and techniques me led me to a deep appreciation of fine craft. In 2009 I designed a line of functional handmade books from paper, leather, and linen thread and started taking them to fine art and fine craft fairs. After about eight years of making thousands of these by hand, I was seeing sculptural potential in the techniques I had honed. I attended Missouri State University and earned an MFA in visual studies, giving myself the time and focus to research and develop sculptural one-of-a-kind artists’ books. I voraciously researched Fine Craft. During this I was able to gain skills in ceramics, metal working, and alternative photography processes. In all my work I focus on handmade processes to honor and continue traditions of craft and the beneficial place they have in our modern world. I use multiple materials to create these: paper, leather, linen threads, natural dyes, stoneware woodfired ceramics, copper and bronze, and wood. Processes include long stitch bindings, accordion fold books, wheel thrown ceramics, hand building in clay, cold working metals, riveting, cyanotype and palladium photo printing. I create the functional and sculptural work simultaneously at my in home studio in Springfield, Missouri. Themes for the sculptural work include coping with grief and chronic illnesses, community, and home."
SHOP 108 Featured Artist
August - September 2025
Located in the heart of the Tulsa Arts district