2024 Emerging Artists

Emma Burnett / Ceramics / Iowa Ceramics Center
Website / Facebook / Instagram

I create ceramic sculptures of animals built from a single slab of clay. I treat the sculptures as canvases, using underglazes to bring whimsy and surprise to these recognizable and repeatable forms. Animals are my form of choice because of the close relationships I have had with them all my life. Throughout times of stress or hardship, animals have been there to offer relief. I hope that viewers receive a similar sense of comfort from my artwork as I have received from the natural world throughout my life. My art is made with the goal of creating whimsy and joy. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression, I know how important it can be to find little things to make you happy when everything else around you can feel so heavy and scary. Color is a big part of meeting this goal, as I feel it allows people to reunite with their sense of childhood wonder. I feel I have succeeded if my work can put a smile onto people’s faces. I hope that my sculptures, when displayed inside people's homes, will offer a brief moment of respite from the stresses of the world.

 

Dakota Osegera / Glass / Kirkwood Community College
Instagram

My work mainly focuses on the creation and experimentation of different color patterns, mostly by using glass murine. By studying the Italian technique of making millefiori, I was able to find my interest in glass using non-traditional processes and the equipment that I had available to me. Glass blowing was originally introduced to me for occupational therapy after leaving the Navy, and I have never looked back since starting three years ago. 

I enjoy mixing hot and warm glass, cutting, and melting sheet glass and then using that product in the traditional glass blowing process. I was initially interested in the utility of glass, through the use of things like cups, bowls, and plates. My most recent work has become more sculptural. I have been focusing on creating different optical patterns in the glass by capturing my murine in solid orbs and then hand faceting and polishing different lenses.

Color selection is something that I struggle with, so I use color patterns in the things around me. Water and fire are two major elements that I draw my inspiration from. When I am not creating new murine patterns, I enjoy experimenting with other different styles of glass making.

 
 

Brianna Riedel / Mixed Media Collage / Mount Mercy University

I have had a passion for art and creating from an early age. My bedroom walls as a child and teenager were covered with pictures, paintings, magazine clippings, candy wrapper collages, Christmas lights, and glow in the dark stars. The walls of my childhood bedroom have inspired my art in my adult life-a bit crazy, kind of cluttered, quirky, but yet, somehow appealing. I enjoy using images from various vintage books, magazines, and advertisements to create re-imagined, one-of-a-kind pieces. My process begins as I first flip through an old book or magazine (found at garage sales, thrift stores, resale stores, etc.). When an image catches my eye, I bookmark the page and continue to look through my library of books and magazines to find what may look good in the collage as well. Pulling so many different materials and sources together to create a beautiful piece is something I have a love for and hope to continue for the years to come.

I am a senior at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa studying fine arts. After graduating high school, I attended the University of Northern Iowa for a short period of time before enlisting in the military. I served in the Air Force as a meteorologist, forecasting weather for aircraft and personnel around the world. During my time in the military, I did not get many chances to explore my artistic and creative side, as I worked many hours and had three young children. After retiring from the military in 2018, I decided to use my GI bill benefits to pursue my dreams- go back to school and get my degree(s). Upon graduating in Spring 2024, I plan to work with children through art. My art journey has been very therapeutic for me, during extremely trying years of my life. I hope to be able to share this with others.

 

Emerging Artist Criteria

Applicants must be 18+, living in Iowa and actively seeking a career in the arts. We recognize there are many pathways to becoming a professional working artist and encourage anyone to apply. Please check back in the winter for applications to the 2025 Marion Arts Festival Emerging Artist Program.

Emerging Artists are awarded a free booth space alongside nationally presenting artists at the festival.