UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Alana Iturralde came to Penn State from Puerto Rico, and now she’s headed across the pond for a prestigious Gasworks residency in London.
Established in 1994, Gasworks is a nonprofit contemporary visual art organization that curates international artists and provides them with studio space to research and develop new works. Iturralde received her master of fine arts degree in sculpture this past weekend during the University’s summer 2019 commencement exercises.
Iturralde was awarded the residency as part of Gasworks’ partnership with the Caribbean Art Initiative, which was established to highlight and further develop Caribbean artists.
Her work in ceramics, textiles, photography and video has produced numerous pieces that have been exhibited internationally. In July, she had her senior thesis show, titled “Rest My Head on a Wall of Water,” which featured her most recent work and cemented her reputation as an emerging artist.
The four-month residency at Gasworks will begin in September. Iturralde is planning to research the rituals performed by the 1920s Kibbo Kift youth movement on English landmarks, as well as the group’s creation and use of symbols and motifs.
Iturralde, whose Penn State education was supported by a Bunton Waller Award, praised the University and the School of Visual Arts for creating a welcoming atmosphere for international artists while offering a comprehensive and unique training program.
“If an artist would like to be in a place with a vibrant international community, Penn State has it,” Iturralde said. “The School of Visual Arts’ most amazing resource is the people. They made me feel inspired and gave me a sense of being in a special place at the right moment in time.”
For more information on Gasworks and to view Iturralde’s completed work, visit gasworks.org.uk.