Artist's statement:
“Family”

Two shapes feature in my work: a loop and a quarter-oval. Both are used to represent humans in an energetic way. A loop also references the mechanics of a sewing machine, which is what I use to compile my collages, and, when a loop is a line, I like how it differentiates an interior and an exterior. A quarter oval shape I see as a part of a whole, which is always searching for connection.
Family and its dynamics guide my work; our ancestry, which seems precious, is continually altered by the introduction of new people into a family (marriage, adoption, divorce, children out of wedlock, etc.) By collaging, I connect forms (or don’t), and the layers of shapes that ensue speak to the complexity of these familial relationships. In addition, I explore a tension that I experience when memories become burdened by personal ephemera. The sentimental action of saving letters and photographs raises such questions; do memories need a photo or a letter to anchor them and remain valid? Is there a point in saving what nobody seems to want? Through repurposing old artworks in combination with found objects (which include old book parts, family letters, surgical masks, used clothing, photographs, and residues from making art), I see transforming the artifacts - rather than preserving them - as a nod to my grief and acceptance that memories change and get lost over time. I seek to have memories become unencumbered - a notion I get more familiar with as I do the work and repurpose more family letters and photographs. The titles of my work are usually found within the work. Old book pages and cut up letters provide a multitude of textual options

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On view at new new art studio
January 1 - 7, 2023
Opening reception, January 1,  2-5pm
Closing recpetion, Januray 7, 4-7pm

We are excited to be showing art work at new new art studio! "Local Press" is new works of area printmakers that met at Burlington City Arts Print Studio when it was on Main Street. Gregg Blasdel, who was the Artist in Residence at the time, concieved the idea for this show a few years ago. These artists all have our own presses now , COVID came and what a sweet way to see each other again!

Thank you Pamela and the Seven Days for doing this article about me, teaching and new new art studio! It is a gift to be part of this community and I cherish the connections I make through teaching and showing my work!  I love the start of the article:
"If you were a small snippet of paper, your humble life would not be wasted in Susan Smereka's studio. She would find a use for you. Most likely, you'd be a piece of a hand-pulled monoprint that she had cut up and organized, more or less, in a tray according to color. If you were very lucky, you'd be assembled into an abstract collage or maybe an artist book, and the artist might consecrate you with stitches."
Click here for the whole article
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In this monotype workshop participants will learn how to use multiple plates to create one monotype print. Artists will be introduced to plate registration; the math, and building a template to use. We will also discuss when best to use a ghost plate and dry versus wet paper. Participants will combine chine collé, collagraph or drypoint, techniques that work well with monotype. You are encouraged to bring your imagery, ideas, and concepts that you are currently working on with an interest in how to develop and shift them through the media. Susan will show you how to orchestrate ways to print to get the best results.
August 27 and 28, 10am to 3pm
More information can be found on their website