I'm a metal sculptor, jeweler, and art enthusiast from Akron, OH.

 

Much of my inspiration comes from the beauty in nature and the rust-belt city I'm from. I learned a deep appreciation for the arts at a young age, and I began to weld when I was nine years old, growing up experimenting in my fathers' steel fabricating shop. Instantly, I was drawn to the strength and permanence of steel as an art form capable of outliving me. Though I work with various metals, my favorite is stainless steel, for it's brilliant shine and resilience. My creative process explores new raw materials and the urge to transform unloved waste and dull discarded scraps into useful and unique artifacts. My techniques utilize pneumatic and electric rotary tools, plasma torches and welders. Function, community, light play and symbolism are prominent elements found in my work. 

I find deep meaning in utilizing the resources around me, and feel it takes a stance against today's buy new throw-away culture. As an artist, I try to capture, interpret and re-present beauty as I see it. Working primarily in an interpretive style, my goal is to evoke my subject's essence, to serve a reminder of the powerful, magnificent force that is nature. I have a deep appreciation of sculptural form with a purpose, adding a function to art elevates it to a higher level. I believe art is even more powerful when it has the ability to create a shared experience, and offer a point of interactive connection with its audience.

The work I create is from the heart, and I hope that, whether my materials are raw or salvaged, the art I bring to life might aid in the appreciation and preservation of the natural world, and maybe transform onlookers into participants. I'm grateful that on my artistic path, many opportunities have opened to showcase my work and find meaningful ways to contribute to the community, even in small ways.

 

In my recent adventures, I'm grateful to have been chosen as the first artist to showcase in the Akron Mayor's Office. I've hung shows in the Summit County Executive Office of the late Russ Pry, the Margret Clark Morgan Foundation, The Mustard Seed Cafe in Montrose and Highland Square, and was twice a runner up of the Akron Art Prize and  High Arts Festival. I was a co-founder and Creative Director of the Big Love Festival for it's first three years, as well as the co-founder and lead builder of the Akron chapter of the national group the League of Creative Interventionists for over three years. Ongoing, I am an Artist in Residence at the Innerbelt National Forest on Rt 59 in downtown Akron, OH. In 2019 I was of the first four metal sculptors invited to build a show for the FUZED exhibit on the grounds of Akron's historic Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. 

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Presently I'm resurfacing from the missed time of the last years, and ready to enjoy the renaissance of art, community and connection after the plague. 

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I am presently working on a few projects, but I'm always enthusiastic to create custom sculpture and jewelry, or help through consulting, so please feel free to reach out, lets make something beautiful together.

 

You can follow my work on Instagram @MeganLouiseShane #MeganShaneArt and check in on my local events on www.facebook.com/MeganShaneArt

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That was a lot.. Thank You for reading my story!