We recently connected with Signe Ballew and have shared our conversation below.
Signe, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
The first time I sold work that made me feel like an artist was at my thesis show in college. I was super happy with my work, but knowing that others also saw value and something special in it made me feel seen as an artist. I had just started a new technique and style with my work and for it to be received so well, was such a wonderful feeling.
I work in glass, and for my thesis show, I started doing image transfers using decals. I would cut up each image and place them on separate sheets of glass, then fuse them together, creating a pop-up book effect.
I had 12 pieces total made for my showcase and sold 9 of them. This was a big shock to me, because as much as I liked my art, I wasn’t sure if anyone else was going to. It was a very validating moment.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Signe Ballew, and I am one of the co-founders of Vitrum Collective in Asheville, NC. We are an artist collective with a focus in glass, but work with jewelers and 2D artists as well. I am a glass artist, and I studied at Alfred University, where I got my BFA.
I also work as the Director of Operations for the RADA Foundation, which is the non-profit that supports the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. I have been working in art non-profits along the East Coast since 2012, and I love working with artists in all mediums. I think I thrive best in gallery and classroom settings. I love curating a space, taking artwork that might not seem like it goes together, but when placed in the right spot, they were meant to be. I also enjoy teaching workshops. I have taught a few types of glass classes, stained, fusing, mosaic, flameworking, and image transfers. Getting to work with students who are new to the medium or those who want to learn new techniques is so much fun, because even though I’m the one teaching, I usually come away learning something new too.
At Vitrum Collective, we want to teach stained glass workshops, from intro to advanced.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think that a lot of non-creatives struggle to understand how creatives can make a living by selling their work. I’ve been told by a bunch of folks who come through how nice my ‘hobby’ is or get asked, “Can you actually make enough money to sustain a life?” I think there’s a disconnect between folks living the so-called “traditional” lifestyle and those working as creatives. We are not working a 9-5 job, but we are still working. We aren’t necessarily concerned about the societal norms of working in an office or working at the same place for over a decade; we want the freedom to express ourselves, and our brains function better when we have flexibility. It is not for everyone, but it is for some, and that’s okay. Both journeys are still ways to live a full life.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
On September 27, 2024, our town of Asheville, NC was hit by Hurricane Helene and our studio, which was on the second floor of our building, was flooded. Our arts district lost close to 80% of our studios and property. As a community, we came together and supported each other in a way that I have never seen. It was heartbreaking, and it was beautiful. And our studio is still no longer active, almost 7 months later. What we could salvage has been stored in our basement and in a storage unit, and we haven’t been able to create, which has been a real challenge on our mental health. Luckily, we have been able to continue to work with artists from the River Arts District, raise money, and help clean up and rebuild, and that has been rewarding. Getting to watch our community survive and continue to thrive has just proven to me how resilient we are.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @vitrum.collective
