Katie Hovencamp received her BFA from Arizona State University in 2009 and her MFA from the Pennsylvania State University in 2014. Hovencamp has exhibited her work in numerous exhibitions within the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Her work has been reviewed in Sculpture Magazine, Chicago Reader, and several online and print publications. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Student Achievement Award for Contemporary Sculpture in 2014 and the University Graduate Fellowship at the Pennsylvania State University in 2012. Hovencamp has participated in residency programs at Vermont Studio Center, Serde Interdisciplinary artist group in Latvia, and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland.
In 2016, she was awarded an artist residency with International Sculpture Center at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, NJ. She has taught at various institutions such as the Edna Vihel Center for the Arts, Totts Gap Art Institute, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg Area Community College, Keystone College, Cedar Crest College, and Northampton Community College.
Her work has been reviewed in Sculpture Magazine, Chicago Reader, and several online and print publications. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Student Achievement Award for Contemporary Sculpture in 2014 and the University Graduate Fellowship at the Pennsylvania State University in 2012. Hovencamp has participated in residency programs at Vermont Studio Center, Serde Interdisciplinary artist group in Latvia, and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland.
In 2016, she was awarded an artist residency with International Sculpture Center at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, NJ. She has taught at various institutions such as the Edna Vihel Center for the Arts, Totts Gap Art Institute, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg Area Community College, Keystone College, Cedar Crest College, and Northampton Community College.
Published on March 19th, 2023. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What are you fascinated with right now?
Lately, I have been fascinated with combining feminine materials with industrial materials. Recently, I have been researching domestic objects, feminine imagery, and military imagery. I have been playing with various combinations of how these materials and concepts can work together. Since covid has happened and impacted our world, I have been interested in the concept of protecting the home, but using it in a way where I am using the idea of self defense in a humorous way.
What advice would you give your younger artist self?
Pace yourself and don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone learns and grows at their own pace and sometimes things can take longer to grasp. Sometimes you have to move at a steady consistent pace to avoid problems with burnout. It is also ok to say no to things. My past self often felt the need to say yes to everyone. Despite being exhausted or burnt out, I would still say yes. I learned that if I was not in a good state, I wouldn’t be able to help anyone I wanted to. It was a hard lesson to learn and sometimes I’m still not the best at saying no, but everyone is a work in progress and that is what makes life interesting.
What are your tools for creative resilience these days? Do you have any methods to stay positive when life becomes difficult and perhaps when you have limited time to create?
The most important thing that has helped me navigate this is my artist community. I have a lot of artist friends and colleagues who are open to sharing and giving advice. Having that community support has been crucial because it creates an environment that encourages growth. Knowing that the support is there is comforting because it creates a safe space to ask for constructive advice and feedback.
Also, my dad has been phenomenal as far as being my cheerleader and supporter. It is nice to have family support you and your work.
What is your dreamy vision for your creative career and art practice three years from now?
I would like to go to a longer term artist residency for 2-3 months. I have not been to a residency since covid. I have been working from where I reside. I fortunately have all of the equipment I need to make art, however, I would love the opportunity to make work in a different space and I would like to meet other artists to change things up a bit. Especially international destinations, I am very interested in travel.
How are you being kind to yourself as you look towards realizing your vision for your art career?
I’m realizing that it is okay to pace myself and take time to be sure I am taking care of my needs. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that can be unpredictable at times. I have to give myself extra time when it comes to deadlines in case I am not feeling well on certain days. I am learning not to be so hard on myself if I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to do on a certain day.
What are you fascinated with right now?
Lately, I have been fascinated with combining feminine materials with industrial materials. Recently, I have been researching domestic objects, feminine imagery, and military imagery. I have been playing with various combinations of how these materials and concepts can work together. Since covid has happened and impacted our world, I have been interested in the concept of protecting the home, but using it in a way where I am using the idea of self defense in a humorous way.
What advice would you give your younger artist self?
Pace yourself and don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone learns and grows at their own pace and sometimes things can take longer to grasp. Sometimes you have to move at a steady consistent pace to avoid problems with burnout. It is also ok to say no to things. My past self often felt the need to say yes to everyone. Despite being exhausted or burnt out, I would still say yes. I learned that if I was not in a good state, I wouldn’t be able to help anyone I wanted to. It was a hard lesson to learn and sometimes I’m still not the best at saying no, but everyone is a work in progress and that is what makes life interesting.
What are your tools for creative resilience these days? Do you have any methods to stay positive when life becomes difficult and perhaps when you have limited time to create?
The most important thing that has helped me navigate this is my artist community. I have a lot of artist friends and colleagues who are open to sharing and giving advice. Having that community support has been crucial because it creates an environment that encourages growth. Knowing that the support is there is comforting because it creates a safe space to ask for constructive advice and feedback.
Also, my dad has been phenomenal as far as being my cheerleader and supporter. It is nice to have family support you and your work.
What is your dreamy vision for your creative career and art practice three years from now?
I would like to go to a longer term artist residency for 2-3 months. I have not been to a residency since covid. I have been working from where I reside. I fortunately have all of the equipment I need to make art, however, I would love the opportunity to make work in a different space and I would like to meet other artists to change things up a bit. Especially international destinations, I am very interested in travel.
How are you being kind to yourself as you look towards realizing your vision for your art career?
I’m realizing that it is okay to pace myself and take time to be sure I am taking care of my needs. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that can be unpredictable at times. I have to give myself extra time when it comes to deadlines in case I am not feeling well on certain days. I am learning not to be so hard on myself if I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to do on a certain day.
Find Katie Hovencamp on Instagram