LONGMONT, CO - The Firehouse Art Center is pleased to announce that Kenzie Sitterud is the 2024 Winter Artist in Residence in the Firehouse Artist Occupied Series. The program is intended as a professional development opportunity for emerging and experienced visual artists, exposing visitors to working artist’s environment.

The Firehouse Art Center’s Winter Residency supports a working artist in the South Gallery for three months before a culminating solo exhibition in the Main Gallery.

Sitterud is a multimedia artist specializing in large-scale installations, commercial art, and public art environments. With a commitment to addressing social issues and injustices, Sitterud’s installations are crafted to carry a touch of irony and humor, alleviating the weight of the messages conveyed in the overarching artist statement.

Sitterud will be in the South Gallery creating work for their residency culminating exhibit, “Happy Sad”, to be opening February 7, 2025 at 6pm. Their studio hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 12pm5pm. To schedule a visit call 303-651-2787.

Happy Sad is a new body of work by resident artist Kenzie Sitterud which features an experimental kinetic installation, a collection of video performances, concrete balloon sculptures, AND hard-edge geometric abstract paintings. Happy Sad examines American privilege during times of war and the rise of fascism by leaning into absurdity through the use of the Mylar Happy Face balloon iconography and the repeated act of indulgence.

Kenzie’s work has been featured at the Denver Art Museum, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Meow Wolf Denver, Breck Create, Platteforum, and various galleries around the art districts of Denver.

Sitterud was an Artist-in-Residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center from 2017-2019. While at Redline, they were a Colorado Creative Industries and NEAA recipient for the 2017 Career Advancement Grant. Sitterud received a 2019 P.S. You are Here Grant through Denver Arts & Venues to complete a commissioned public project for Design Workshop Foundation.

Learn more about Kenzie here: www.kenziemckenzie.com and on socials at @kenziesitterud.

The Firehouse Exhibitions Program is generously sponsored by Boulder County Arts Alliance, Community Foundation of Boulder County, the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, Longmont Community Foundation and the Longmont Creative District.

For more information contact Elaine Waterman at 303-651-2787 or [email protected].