Eighteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

This study explores two gallery exhibitions, Craftowne: a visual novel and Craftowne: the 7th hole. These two an interactive gallery installation pieces combine text and various media to tell the narrative of a planned suburban community outside of Washington, DC during the ‘70s and ‘80s. The overarching narratives of both of these installation graphic novels is a critique and examination of American suburban life and culture. The goal of these installations is to utilize the art gallery space to create a graphic novel that is presented as installation art. The hamlet of Craftowne is symbolic of America as a whole and is based on the actual town in Maryland in which I grew up and the impact that the town has had on me as a person and artist. Many of the pieces in the Craftowne installation are interactive and require the viewer to actively engage with them. Craftowne: a visuals novel was exhibited in 2017 at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, OH and Miami University, Oxford OH. It was also exhibited in 2018 at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Ranier, MD. Craftowne: the 7th hole was exhibited in 2021 at The Pyramid Sculpture Park and Museum in Hamilton, OH.