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ABISPI Gallery
ART IN ACTION
studio workshop events
Communities across the country have learned to embrace the art economy to boost the quality of life for local artists and residents while simultaneously enhancing the vacation experience for visitors. The Art Business Incubator on South Padre Island strives to sustainably support the growth of art culture in our community by providing a comfortable and supportive learning environment for emerging local artists.
The mission of this project is easier said than done but has implications that could benefit our local community for generations.
ABI SPI (pronounced “abbey,” SPI) sets out to “incubate” artists who have the desire to own and operate their own art-related business on South Padre Island.
During this time, these emerging art-related entrepreneurs are granted access to their own studio space and gallery space, along with many other invaluable resources. These offerings are intended to lower the barriers to success and cushion the risks of early-stage business development as the artists test their product in the market for the first time. There is a growing abundance of artists in the Rio Grande Valley, and SPI is excited to contribute to growing the art community!
ABISPI is in its second year of business, hosting its second group of fabulous artists. The first class of artists successfully completed their year-term against all odds, attempting to pursue their art
2500 Padre Blvd, Suite 1 South Padre Island www .abispi .com @artsouthpadre
careers while facing the challenges of Covid-19. They left the program with solid business plans and are currently making plans for their future endeavors while welcoming the next group of talented artists.
The positive reputation and success of the organization is growing due to the ambition and brilliance of the artists. ABISPI currently hosts artists from all over the U.S. who work with various mediums: paper, ink, wood, paint, etc. This diverse collection of original artworks is a must-see if you are ever visiting South Padre Island. While we do sell art as a gallery, it is essential to reiterate that we are an interactive facility whose primary purpose is to boost the number of artists and art enthusiasts on the island. We want to continue to maintain community involvement by hosting social events and interactive art workshops. Explore the constantly-changing inventory of original artworks, attend a workshop, and meet the artists!
ABISPI: SPOTLIGHT
Cristina Piecuch
cristinapqart@gmail.com @the.manila.folder cristinapiecuch.com AKorean-American raised in Peru, Cristina Piecuch draws on her unique heritage to create surreal prints that reflect the world around her. “The geometric shapes and bright colors rooted in Peruvian art, especially Incan art, have a strong influence on my work,” she says.
While earning her B.F.A in Illustration from Michigan’s Grand Valley State University, Cristina discovered her love of traditional printmaking. “Carving an image into a woodcut and transferring it by hand gave me a true appreciation for the ancient technique,” says Cristina, who creates her work using linocuts and reduction printing combined with digital methods.
“I like working with figures but adding a surreal twist,” she says. “Because I’m new to the island, I’m inspired by the animals here, especially all the birds—I’ve never been surrounded by so many birds with such cool shapes.”
Cristina discovered the SPI Art Business Incubator after recently moving to the island. “It perfectly fit what I needed: a studio to create art but they also offered guidance in how to create a buzz around my work, which is especially important after COVID.”
As an artist and new resident, she is eager to explore more of the Rio Grande Valley. “I want to learn more about the Mexican heritage, discover the art communities in Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen, and experience all of the area’s wonderful diversity.”
ABISPI: SPOTLIGHT
Kristi Abbott
info@madebykristi.com @kristiartist1 kristiabbott.com Atransplant from Australia by way of Minnesota, Kristi Abbot has been crafting her exuberant, colorful mixed-media collages for the past seven years. Layering hand-cut paper, and adding other elements such as feathers, glitter, and paint, she creates works that dazzle with a range of textures and colors.
“What I love about working with paper is the sheer variety,” says Abbot. “I use iridescent tissue paper, vintage wallpaper, metallic paper… bringing them together in a piece to create a circus of texture.”
The self-taught artist has produced a number of different series, depicting everything from Nursery Rhymes to Pin-ups, Icons to Warriors. “Every series is close to my heart,” she says. “I always wanted to be a mermaid, hence my new series, Mythical Creatures.” Her larger pieces take about a month to complete, with much of that time dedicated to planning. “First, I research the theme or person I want to create. Then I make a digital draft, resizing and manipulating the imagery before printing it. Then I start cutting and putting it all together like a jigsaw puzzle.”
For her current Mythical Creature series, which she’s making in her studio space at the Art Business Incubator, she’s experimenting with different backgrounds, using alcohol inks, stencils, spray paint, and layers of resin. “It’s been just over a month and I’m loving the gallery and work space, especially getting to work with other the other artists who are producing pieces of such outstanding quality.”
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