Elizabeth Henley
I would like to be included in Mr. Nash's workshop because I am intrigued by his work and methods. He is able to select a material and ask what that material can contribute to the piece. Instead of dictating exactly how the piece will finish, Mr. Nash has allowed the natural processes and tendencies to enhance his work. The end result becomes a truly collaborated finish. I also enjoy his sense of humor. His piece "Wooden Boulder" still brings back a smile as I recall the story of its journey. The greatest benefit to me as a student would be the opportunity to work helping an internationally known sculptor build a successful piece of sculpture. Working outside of the protective walls of ECU and finding out if I have what it would takes to actually be part of the sculpture field would go a long way in bolstering the confidence and drive in this sculpture student.

Joseph Handzel
I hold an extreme interest in this wonderful opportunity. First of all, I feel it is a vital step in pursuing success in the field of sculpture. Working with David Nash, an international artist will allow me to see a true professional sculptor relate to his own environment through an artistic perspective. I hold a similar outlook to Nash on the world and all the natural aspects within it in that his work depicts the processes of nature such as life, death, and rebirth, whereas mine depicts the processes of man upon nature. Nature is a vital aspect to Nash's work as well as a prominent idea in my own. All the skills that I have acquired at East Carolina, such as proficiency in using power tools, hand tools, metal finishing and wood finishing will allow me to demonstrate competence and the ability to succeed in the field of sculpture.

Mac Metz
I have a strong interest in working solely with natural materials to make art and this is largely due to the purity of the finished work. Meaning, an artist working out in a natural environment must not only leave behind a finished work, but also do so without interfering with the local ecosystem. A chance to work so closely with an internationally known sculptor who deals directly with nature in his work would benefit me greatly. Whether I am making work on my own, or as part of something larger I am always conscience of the collaborative efforts needed to accomplish the desired goal and I am sure Mr. Nash is looking for nothing less when it comes to selecting someone to assist him in creating his artwork. I do hope my determination and capabilities could assist Mr. Nash in his work at Penland.

Shelton L. Holland
This chance to work with a famous sculptor seemed like an excellent way to step out into the art world and get involved. That is one of the most important things I think I am lacking, raw exposure to real field experience. Being a senior, I feel the time is now to gain this experience. A second, but equally important reason I am interested, is the absolute reverence for nature Nash exercises. One of the pieces I did last semester was made with twigs and branches from nature. This sparked an interest and tiny bit of better understanding for the kind of art, that grasps nature more fully. I would very much enjoy learning about how Mr. Nash uses these plentiful resources to express the same types of ideas that we explore in our work.

Adam Wells
After hearing of the opportunity to work with sculptor David Nash, I was overwhelmed with excitement. It isn’t everyday that one is given such a wonderful chance to interact with one of the major artists in the field today. To me, David Nash is one of the artists on the forefront of a new wave in art.

Derrick Sides
For several summers I have worked at Carolina Bronze, a foundry in Seagrove, North Carolina that specializes in life-size figurative bronze pieces. There I would find myself working for weeks at a time on someone else’s art, but the experience was surprisingly refreshing…Often its through the results of other’s decisions in such a process that I receive and uncover a clearer definition of my own aesthetic and conceptual tastes. In that respect I would find the experience with David Nash most beneficial.

Jennifer Barron
I believe that being in the company of other artists, we are all able to expand our ideas and inspire and feed off of each other. I have a feeling that David Nash will open my eyes to the professional world of art, and believe that I share some of his thoughts on our surrounding environment.

Shean Matthews
My appetite for art causes little room on my plate and it seems that the better I become as an artist, the more my appetite grows. My only limit is time. My lack of time almost kept me from applying for the Penland opportunity, but I knew there was no way I could respect myself if I didn’t at least submit my name and some slides.

Alyssa Ritchel
I feel as though I have always been called not only to create but to build. My spirit has always rebelled at the thought of creating two dimensional objects to passively observe a three dimensional world. As an artist, I am finally reaching the end of that period of awkward adolescence and beginning to have a more mature understanding of crafting works of art. I am eager to spend time studying under David Nash because I believe that the experience will aid my ability to understand the complexities of sculpture and the dialogue between sculpture and our three dimensional world.

Becca Apricot
My sculptures are made from assembling, stacking, folding and altering wheel thrown parts of clay. My forms are reminiscent of body parts, belly folds, earthworms and insects. I am very interested to work with David Nash and to see the way he relates to the medium he is working in.

Christina Ingram
I am involved in sculpture in ceramics and mixed media. Inspiration for my most recent pieces is drawn form contemporary art in many materials. I prefer to work on many projects at once so I don’t begin to get caught up in a single idea.

Joel Queen
This residency is a very good chance to broaden my horizons by working with a nationally known artist, David Nash. The project will help me with the fundamentals of large scale sculpture. As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, I believe my planned native sculptures will also benefit.

Christine Bednarek
It is interesting to me that though we are working around similar ideas, individual qualities come out in the final end result; that we articulate ourselves in different ways and different approaches. I would like to discover the ways in which his [David Nash] personal individuality and ideas come out. I want to witness someone else’s creativity and the manner in which it plays out.

Lou Horton
Working with David Nash would greatly enhance my development as an artist. I love to work outside on huge sculpture projects. I am dedicated, hard working and focused. My arms work fine; I hate my cell phone, and do not drink coffee, often. I would love the opportunity to be able to work with an established artist who is skilled in his medium and method. It would teach me what it would be like to do the same.

Sean Pace
I hope to be able to take part in this field experience so that first I will have a well-rounded opinion of this artist. I want to see his method of work and to observe the manner by which he instructs us and communicates his ideas into the hands of others.

Terrell M. Whitworth
I can imagine conversations with David Nash where I could learn about his particular creative process and growth experiences incorporating those with my own in order to better relay my personal message in art. Also of benefit to me could be the experience of taking part in the completion of a work or body of works from beginning to end where practical experience and hands-on involvement would give me an understanding of what is entailed in a collaborative project.

Aaron F. Smith (ECU)
When I first met David Nash, during the spring of 2002, I immediately felt comfortable and fond of his entire persona. It felt very rewarding and it was an honor to have a conversation with someone with his background and world-renowned reputation. As he spoke with my classmates and me, the reality struck me that he was really a down to earth and humble celebrity of the modern art world. Because of Mr. Nash's influences, I have found a great love and a better understanding of the material and his processes by examining and becoming intimate with the material for myself while working with wood.

Brad Wines (UNCA)
Having the opportunity to work with an internationally known artist is both a privilege and a gift. As a student artist (as well as other pre-professionals), learning is fostered through experience and observation. Working hands-on only accelerates these processes. Observation and experience have a lot to offer, however, communication with the artist is also essential.

Josh Doub (WCU)
The act of working alongside an established artist is beneficial, and with four days to spend at a residency there is time for a dialogue to be opened. Such a dialogue is important for me in the development of my own ideas about art. In order to grow aesthetically, an artist must be able to communicate ideas with other artists.

Virginia Nuckolls (ASU)
David Nash is an inspiration to me. He has influenced me through books and magazines to think of art as a living part of life that has a life of its own. Also, he inspired me to think of art as not an object but as a part of an environment.