The wearable art-forms I create are scaled-down ecosystems made-up of collected discarded items that I have molded into natural looking forms. The discarded bits of ephemeral debris are used as my material to make synthetic nature pieces to set into my work. The vegetation species that I make are inspired by thinking about the human form as a celestial body. I form the discarded material to mimic nature. I do this to relate the unwanted material to the nature of humankind. Nothing else in nature creates product waste this issue is unique to that of humankind. I observe what discarded products of industry look like against flora. I imagine what foliage would look like if it had to be rebuilt after extinction. I imagine what materials will be left on Earth at the end of time.
Erica Hoosic is an artist, designer, and metalsmith, who lives and works in Akron, Ohio. She has her B.F.A Degree in metalsmithing from which she has earned from The University of Akron. Between degrees Erica has worked at jewelry stores repairing and resizing fine jewelry. She is currently working on her master’s degree at Kent State University. Her work has garnered recognition and has received awards both locally and in international exhibitions.
Education and Training
2006-2011 The University of Akron’s Myers School of Art Akron, Ohio
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Metalsmithing and Sculpture
2012 Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Gatlinburg, TN
Awarded work study to learn under top artists in metal craft
2009 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Deer Isle, ME
Awarded work study to learn under top artists in metal craft
Work Experience
2014-2018 Family Treasures Jewelers Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Sales, jeweler apprentice, polished, changed watch batteries and worked on small repairs.
2014-2015 Boys and Girls Club of the Western Reserve Akron, OH
Art instructor and Youth Development Specialist at the Eller Teen Club.
2013-2014 Sterling Jewelers Akron, OH
Worked in repair facility as a bench jeweler/ metalsmith.
2012 Cascade Valley Akron, OH
Instructor of a series of jewelry classes, for the Cascade Valley program.
2009-2011 Metals Studio Assistant at The University of Akron Akron, OH
Help others with projects and responsible with metals studio upkeep.
2006-2012 The University of Akron, Residence Life and Housing Akron, OH
Creating and designing handmade posters for upcoming events.
Exhibitions
2018 “Ethical Metalsmiths; So Fresh So Clean”, (Juror’s Choice Award), Online International Exhibition
“CAN: Cleveland Triennial”, 78th Street Studios, Cleveland OH
“Craft Forms”, Wayne Arts Center, Wayne, PA
“Jewelry and Gender”, KSU Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
“Kent State Graduate Exhibition”, KSU Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
“Decennalia: 10 Years of Myers in Venice” Myers School of Art Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
2016 “Conceptual Migrations: Installation, Process and Place”, (collaborative work), “Mending Branch” Waterloo Sculpture Garden, Cleveland, OH
2015 “Looking Good”, alumni show Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
“Ingenuity Festival Cleveland” , (collaborative work), Festival Performance “Belief Lake”, Cleveland, OH
2014 “Bone Cave”, (solo show) Square Records, Akron, OH
2012 "Human Nature", (BFA show) WE Gallery, Akron, OH
”Solo show: Human Nature", Alloy Gallery, Newport, RI
2011 “Pink Milk Mild”, (collaborative work) Spaces Gallery, Cleveland, OH
“Student Juried Exhibition”, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
“Myers School of Art Studio Scholarship Show”, (juried) Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
“GAR Foundation Show”, Andrew Jackson House, Akron, OH
2010 “Lovely Low-Brow”, Square Records Highland Square, Akron, OH
“Welcome to the Jungle”, The Gothic Building, Akron, OH
“Collected Memory”, (solo show) Projects Gallery Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
“Myers School of Art Studio Scholarship Show”, (juried) Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
“Student Juried Exhibition”, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
“Wish You Were Here”, (collaborative work) Myers School of Art Lower Atrium, Akron, OH
2009 “Student Juried Exhibition”, Emily Davis Gallery, Akron, OH
“Sketchbookapalooza!”, Myers School of Art Projects Gallery, Akron, OH
“Out of the Box”, Summit Art Space, Akron, OH
“The Refrigerator Show”, (collaborative work) The Home Depot, Akron, OH
“Hybridology: Reinterpreting the Animal”, Akron Zoo, Akron, OH
“Myers School of Art Studio Scholarship Show”, (juried) Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
Publications
2014 “Present Tense; Contemporary Art in Ohio”, Artists of Rubber City, Akron, OH
2012 "Creative Quarterly Magazine", Issue 72, Brooklyn, New York
Grants, Scholarships, and Awards
2011 Devario Scholarship Student Travel Grant to Venice, Italy, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
Folk Studio Scholarship Show, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
GAR Foundation Award Recipient, Andrew Jackson House, Akron, OH
Tools and Materials Grant Recipient, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
2010 Daschiell Scholarship Student Travel Grant for Miami Art Basel, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
Folk Studio Scholarship Show, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
Spacelab Laboratory, Spaces Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2009 Folk Studio Scholarship Show, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
April Posey Memorial Scholarship, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
Daschiell Scholarship Student Travel Grant, Myers School of Art, Akron, OH
Clubs and Volunteer Work
2011 School Tour Guide, (Gave visiting families tours of the Myers School of Art)
2010-2012 SNAG, (Student member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths)
2009 Holiday Sale Committee Member, (Helped in putting together the Holiday Sale for the Myers School of Art)
2006-2011 Student Art League, (Member of Student Art League at the Myers School of Art)
Where to Buy
Work is not available for sale through the SNAG website. Please contact the artist directly to inquire about making a purchase.