MONIQUE PIEGDON

mpiegdon@gfn.org

Artist Biography

Monique Piegdon earned her Associate of Arts degree from Mott Community College in 1993. While attending Mott, she participated in a number of student art shows exhibited at the Flint Institute of Arts and Buckham Gallery. She continued her education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, concentrating in graphic design with a minor in ceramics. She began her free lance work for departments and organizations at the University of Michigan, such as the U of M Residential College Theatre Department and K-Grams - a pen pal program designed for elementary and college students.

After moving back to the Flint area in 1999, Monique created logos for local businesses and was able to work on a number of graphic design projects while working for the Bendle Public School system and for the Kettering University Library. She has had an interest in paper crafting and altered books for over the past five years, and has been making jewelry since 2003. She has held two solo shows in the Grand Blanc area and her work is on display at the Greater Flint Arts Council. Monique is anxious to continue learning new techniques and to become a more proficient jewelry maker and artist.

EXPERIENCE
Holiday Exhibit - Solo jewelry show, November 2005

Spring Show - Solo jewelry show, February 2006

Member - Greater Flint Arts Council, July 2006

Member Exhibition - Greater Flint Arts Council, February 2007

Cool Cities Art Auction - Greater Flint Arts Council, April 2007

University of Michigan Alumni Exhibit - Ann Arbor, July 2007

FREELANCE DESIGN WORK
1. The Scrappin' Shoppe - Logo, letterhead, business card, bag design, and web site: 11/03-10/04

2. Scrappin' Shack - Logo and package design: 2/03

3. Your Chef (personal chef service) - Logo, business card, clothing design: 8/02.-11/02

4. Connexion's Leadership Luau - Project liaison, t-shirt and event information: 5/02-9/01

5. K-Grams (college/elementary pen pal program) - T-shirt design: 3/00-5/00

6. University of Michigan and Ann Arbor Civic Theatre - Various theatrical posters: 1999-2000

Artist Statement

I have always been interested in making jewelry, but I did not pursue it until a few years ago. In November of 2002 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and my aunt, who had been taking classes in metalsmithing, made her a sterling silver Byzantine bracelet. I fell in love with it and decided it was time to learn. I love the entire process from wrapping and cutting the rings to piecing them together creating intricate patterns. I am drawn to clean lines and bursts of color, which is why I have begun to add natural stones and glass beads to my work. I look forward to experimenting with different types of metal and seeing what possibilities lie ahead.