Young Artist

Lance Sinnema

Age: 28

Birthplace: Bozeman, currently living in Spokane.

Education: Undergraduate degree at Whitworth College in 1999, Master of Fine Arts at Washington State University in 2003.

Day job: Adjunct instructor at Whitworth College, teaching sculpture and design.

Kind of art: Interactive sculpture.

How did you become involved with art? “I have always been interested in making things,” Sinnema says. “Most of the jobs that I have held were skilled labor positions that involve making usable objects from raw materials.”

Talk a little about the kind of art you make: “My recent work references toys and deals with the physical act of interacting with objects,” Sinnema says. “I am interested in pushing the viewer out of the standard ‘art observer’ mode and into a more active role, not only looking and thinking, but also touching, handling, rearranging and ultimately imagining.”

Describe your art making process: “Very physical – handling the materials, working them with different tools and finishing the surfaces are all very much hands on. It is important that the viewer is seduced by the object into a physical interaction, so I spend a lot of time making sure that touching the pieces is a pleasant experience.”

What do you see yourself doing in 10 to 15 years? “I would like to be teaching full time at the college level and exhibiting my work around the nation.”

Where can we see your work? During the Visual Arts Tour (Feb. 4-5), in the “Raw Space” exhibit in the former Art at Work location at Main Avenue and Post Street. And, “My garage if people make an appointment,” Sinnema says.

E-mail: lsinnema@hotmail.com