Kimberly Tanzos
Mediums: Mixed media
Studio: 244
Kimberly is a 2009 graduate of Kutztown University, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Art Education with a minor in Crafts. During her time at Kutztown, she concentrated her studio studies around the fiber arts, including both weaving and non-loom techniques. After graduation, Kimberly began a career as an art teacher and later became an educator at the Allentown Art Museum. Within the museum, she found herself very interested in exhibition work and eventually moved into the curatorial department working as a collections assistant and preparator.
In April 2013, Kimberly was accepted as a resident artist at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Being a resident artist has allowed her to focus on her artwork and get more involved in the artist community in the Lehigh Valley. She plans to continue creating and experiencing all she can in the area of fiber arts, while teaching classes in various types of felt making within the community.
Artist statement
Ever since I can remember, the arts have played a significant role in my life. My fascination with colors, textures, and aesthetics led me to pursue a life in art making and art education. A special interest in fibers and crafts began to develop during my time at Kutztown University when I was inspired by the virtually endless possibilities of fiber design and construction. My most recent work utilizes various wet felting techniques, which has been my media of choice since moving in to my studio at the Banana Factory. The idea of taking loose hairs and being able to transform them into beautiful fabrics and three dimensional forms is absolutely fascinating. When I first started working with wet felting, I was surprised by how painterly the end result can be when fibers are mixed and layered in different ways. When beginning a new piece, I lay fibers down in a way that mimics an underpainting, then add the most fine details to the top layer. As the fibers felt together, colors blend in a soft, beautiful way creating a unique finished piece.
Artist Gallery
