ArtPrize, "She was Here" ArtRat Gallery

She was Here

My ArtPrize entry at ArtRat Gallery, She was Here, serves as a visceral record of a mother’s transition. Using a simplified graphic of a mother and daughter alongside intimate journal entries, the corset captures the duality of parenting: the immense pride in a child’s growth and the sharp ache of their departure. Constructed with traditional steel boning and computer-printed cotton, the garment acts as a structural vessel for memory. It is paired with a 100% silk gauze chemise, inspired by historical undergarments, to evoke the delicate, layered vulnerability of the domestic past. This piece is for sale.

This theatrical approach to sculpture stems from over two decades of professional experience as a costume and set designer. After years of designing across the United States and alongside international collaborators, I returned to my Michigan roots in 2024 to focus entirely on my independent multi-medium narrative. While my ArtPrize presentation focuses strictly on fiber arts, this same love for narrative expands into my broader studio practice—including handbuilt, non-functional ceramic vessels that explore 1950s science fiction nostalgia and the feminine form. Based near Ann Arbor, Michigan, I invite you to view selected pieces in my online portfolio, including my ceramic sculptures.

ArtPrize runs September 18th - October 3rd

• Website: sterlingconverse.com

• ArtPrize Vote ID: #33087

• https://www.artprize.org/visitor-faqs

  To participate in public voting, you must cast your very first vote while physically present within the designated ArtPrize boundaries in downtown Grand Rapids. After casting the first vote from within the ArtPrize boundaries, Participants do not need to return to the ArtPrize boundaries (geolocation) to vote each day. You may vote for a specific entry once per day, and support multiple different entries for the duration of ArtPrize 2026.