Story #5

The Anoka Ramsey Community College (ARCC) welcomed feature artist Abigail Allan yesterday to explain and present the Great River Gallery Art Show. Allan’s work is definitely unique, and is loved by a large audience. The presentation took place in ARCC’s Riverview Room with a PowerPoint display of Allan’s work and pictures of artists who have inspired her and why. The Riverview Room was the setting for a number of guests. People came pouring in near the beginning of the presentation and audience members were even standing in the doorway wanting to hear Allan’s intriguing views on her artwork, and on life.

Allan was born in Minneapolis and new even as a young child that she wanted to do something great with her life. When Allan was young, she loved to watch the discovery channel and nature shows. These shows began to fuel Allan’s creativity and she began making clay sculptures. Her dad was also a huge influence as he was also an artist. He had his own studio in their house and set up an area for Allan so she could do her sculpture work right next to him. As Allan got older, she began to develop a deep passion for science and genetics, as well as a more passionate love for art. This love for both science and art is what Allan’s work is all about. Allan attended Alfred University in New York where she obtained her Bachelors of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Art and Design, as well as minors in both biology and art history. She now teaches at Minneapolis College of Art and Design however quite ironically. Growing up the 70s and 80s Allan was in an age of rebellion. “I thought teachers were the enemy,” said Allan in her presentation.

Through Allan’s education she developed a love for what are called “Indicator Species.” Indicator Species are creatures that are most susceptible to genetic deformities due to things like pollution, animals such as birds, bees, and frogs. This knowledge that Allan learned is now what her art mainly consists of. Sculptures and paintings of frogs with two heads and more than four legs flood Allan’s collection. “My work is a visual expression of the fragility of living things inspired by the world’s biological forms: the wide range of color, vulnerability, variety, extensive detail, and humanity expressed within all life,” says Allan.

The college hour event was a great success with a substantial turn out. Her work is definitely unique but that’s what makes it so great. She has traveled all over the United States displaying her work in many galleries across Minnesota. “I could have never been where I am today without the support I’ve received from my family and Friends,” said Allan. If you would like to see the Great River Gallery Art Show it will be running at the Coon Rapids campus of ARCC until April 5th. Her work can also be viewed at www.abbiaallan.com