I was born in New Orleans, where Mardi Gras was a lot of fun,
with its wild clothes, beads and balloons, cotton candy,
floats, bands and crazy dancing in the streets.
When I visited the Ivory Coast,
I met a man weaving on a simple loom tied to a tree, weighted with stones.
I loved the exciting color and patterns on the clothes that people wore all day long.
Bright colors make me want to weave something wild.
I take colors and make them brighter for me.
This is how I see the world.
EXHIBITIONS OF WOVEN WALL HANGINGS
2006
Windhorse Rugs, Grass Valley CA
“COMPELLED TO CREATE” EXHIBITIONS
2005
Arts Benicia, Benicia CA
One Man Show at Center for the Arts, Grass Valley CA
2004
Studio Tour, Nevada County Arts Council, Grass Valley, CA
2003
Nevada County Board of Realtors Exhibition
2002
Auburn Art Walk, Auburn CA
Nevada County Arts Council Studio Tour, Grass Valley CA
2001
Commission: Hand dyed / hand woven wall hangings for
Ms. Charlene Jones, Auburn CA.
2000
California State Fair, Calif. Works Art Show, Award of Excellence,
Sacramento CA.
A.R.T.S., one-person exhibit, Auburn Arts Center, Auburn CA.
1995
Award from Betty Davis Bowman Foundation, Nevada County Committee on the Disabled.
1993
Lincoln Arts Center, two-person show, Lincoln, CA
1992
Contemporary Arts Festival, Wesleyan College, North Carolina.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSIONS AND AWARDS
• Art in Public Place Grant from California Arts Council of Nevada County Administrations Building, Nevada City, CA.
• Nevada County Board of Realtors, Commission from California Land Title Company, Grass Valley, CA.
• Medical Offices for Dr. John Claybaugh, Grass Valley CA.
• Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Grass Valley CA.
• Sprint Corporate Offices, Sacramento CA.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• 20th. CENTURY AMERICAN FOLK, SELF TAUGHT AND OUTSIDER ART, A RESOURCE GUIDE, (New York: Neal-Schuman, 1993)
Spencer is the first NCA artist to have his own studio where he weaves large wall hangings, and three-dimensional pieces, of mixed media, currently focused on the Mardi Gras theme. The small studio with good lighting serves as both a gallery for finished pieces, as well as, a working space with two four harness floor looms. His vast materials collection is inspiring to see and feel: rope, string, yarn, rags, beads, nylon tubes, wool selvage, fleece, with many of them custom dyed. All these materials he has available for use in commissions for homes and offices.
You can contact Spencer for commissions or more information at:
Spencer Studio
530-274-1609
205 West Main St. Studio D,
Grass Valley CA 95945.
Spencer is also the first NCA studio artist to be hired by the NCA as an assistant teacher, after having studied weaving there for twenty years. Spence says he most enjoys teaching NCA artists new techniques that he mastered by weaving at his own studio.
