McDonough Museum of Art to host live artist demonstration with Julia Betts

The McDonough Museum of Art will host a live artist demonstration with Julia Betts from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18, offering the Youngstown community an opportunity to experience the work of an Ohio-based artist whose practice spans sculpture, performance and installation.

The free event, sponsored by Akron Soul Train, will feature Betts, an artist-in-residence with the organization known for her innovative pour-process technique that transforms paint into sculptural form. During the interactive demonstration, attendees will gain insight into her creative process, ask questions and view a pop-up installation created exclusively for the one-night event.

Betts’ work has been exhibited nationally in solo shows at Unsmoke Systems in Pittsburgh and DDDD Pictures in New York, as well as in group exhibitions at Flux Factory in New York and Space Gallery in Pittsburgh. Her practice explores material transformation and performance through large-scale sculptural forms.

A recipient of residencies from Yaddo, the Millay Colony for the Arts and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Betts has also been featured in Women of the Rustbelt as part of the 50 Women Project. Her work has appeared in BOMB Magazine, Two Coats of Paint and Femme Art Review.

Following the demonstration, guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments while meeting the artist and connecting with fellow community members.

Betts earned a bachelor’s degree in studio arts from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Wick Avenue Deck (M30) for a $5 cash fee.

For more information, call the McDonough Museum of Art at 330-941-1400.