Artist
Denise Tennen
Biography
Denise S. Tennen is a sculptor and public artist with 30 years in the field. Graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, she worked as an architect for seven years and became a registered architect in 1985. Sculpting became Tennen’s vocation in 1988.
Tennen’s specialty is creating site-specific installations. She creates work as a solo artist and, since 2001, collaborates with groups to design and construct installations expressive of their community. She draws on her architectural background to ascertain and meet the aesthetic needs of her clients as well as to integrate her designs into their environments.
As a public artist, Tennen’s goal is to create inspiring works of art that resonate with and enhance the community. Her intention is to bring beauty and enjoyment to the world through her work.
Artist Statement
DENISE S. TENNEN RESUME
Studio: 1618 Central Avenue suite 224, Minneapolis 55413 (do not use for mailing)
E-mail: [email protected]
Work Experience
1988-2018 Studio Artist, specializing in commissions and permanent installations
1988-2018 Proposal and Grant Writer, to support art projects
2000-2018 Lead Artist, Community-Participation Art Projects
Partners include: MRAC, Forecast, MSAB, REDA, Neighborhood House, City of St Paul, City of St Louis Park (SLP), Mpls Parks Dept. SLP Schools
Designing and delivering projects to facilitate broad participation by diverse individuals of all ages, often in low-income communities; coordination with non-profit organizations, schools, volunteers and local governments to manage budgets, schedule, publicize/host project events
2000-2018 Teaching Artist, teaching art to people of all ages and abilities
1988-1996 Art Exhibit Organizer, Key partners include: Tweed Museum of Art, Northfield Arts Guild, Bloomington Art Center, MN State Arts Board
1981-1988 Architect, Maintains MN license since 1985. Worked in firms in NY and MN, on projects ranging from Victorian house renovation to a multi-story office building for the Mayo Clinic. Reached Project Architect level.
Commissions as a Solo Artist
2018 “Song of Hope” Shir Tikvah Congregation, Minneapolis, MN (in-progress)
2016 Agamim Column Project, with Agamim Charter School, Hopkins, MN
2013 Celebrate the Arts, Ceramic Mural – Reinstalled at new Wildwood Elementary
2011 “Generations: West Side Creative Leadership Project”, St. Paul, MN
2009 “Sim Lev” Wall Sculpture for Sholom Home East, St. Paul MN
2008 Focus on the Arts!, Ceramic Mural for O.H. Anderson Elementary School, MN
2005 Monterey Fireplace Surround, Wall Sculpture, St Louis Park, MN
2003 “Landscapes – St. Louis Park” Wall Sculpture for St. Louis Park Public Library
2000 Wall Fountain Sculpture for reception area of Chrysalis, Minneapolis, MN
1993 “Transformation of a Simple Sidewalk…”, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN
1992 “Pediment”. Private Residence, Minneapolis, MN
Installations Collaborating with Community Participants
2017 Weaving Community: Hamline-Midway Fenceweaving Project (In progress)
2016 Column Project, Agamim Charter School, Hopkins
2014 “Life’s a Parade”-Red20 Building with ESNS students, Minneapolis, MN
2013 “Connect” with Peter Hobart 4th grade students, St. Louis Park, MN
2012 Corcoran Neighborhood Fenceweaving
2010 Developing Citizens of the World – St Louis Park, MN
2009-10 Generations Project – Creating Markers for the West Side of St. Paul
2008 “Spirit of Lenox” for Lenox Community Center, St. Louis Park
2007 Chain Link Fence-Weaving, Community Project for 36th Avenue Bridge
2006 Mural created with students of TCJMS and Talmud Torah of St. Paul
2006 Seasons Mural created with students of El Colegio and Urban Arts Academy
2004 “Home Sweet Home” sculptural mural created with students of TCJMS
2004 “Celebrating Community” Sculptural Mural created with 100 neighborhood residents for Phelps Park, Minneapolis, MN
2002 “In the Curve” sculptural mural created with 80 adult participants in “Minnesota Retreat for the Arts”, sponsored by the Perpich Center for Arts in Education
2001 “By the River” sculptural mural created with grades K-4 for Friends School of MN
Exhibitions
2018 Attitudes Series Exhibit - Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI
2016 2-person Exhibition - Poetry Orbs– Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI
2015 Abstraction in Action – group show, Minnetonka Center for the Arts,
2015 Solo Exhibition of Poetry Orbs – Hudson Hospital, Hudson WI
2014 Solo Exhibition of Poetry Orbs – Unity Unitarian Church, St. Paul, MN
1996 'Liquid Tales:The Ebb and Flow of Myth in Everyday Life', 6 person show, Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, MN
1995 'Relief Work for the Wall', work by Denise S. Tennen and Joan Seifert, First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis, MN
1992 'Solo Exhibition', Office of Senator Paul Wellstone
1991 'Porcelain by Six', Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, MN; Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN; Bloomington Arts Center, Bloomington,MN
1990 'Solo Exhibition', Parkbank, St. Paul, MN
1990 'The Other Foot in the Door Show' Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Mpls, MN