New Member Profile // Painter Jen Hitchings Explores the Institution

Jen Hitchings studied painting and drawing at Purchase college and moved to Brooklyn. Once here, she joined co-founded an emerging artists collective called Brick and Mortar, and eventually: "I started getting into curating and writing." When she learned of 3rd Ward, she was drawn to it because "I guess I'm always interested in the institution. With 3rd Ward, it's not an academic setting." 

While Hitchings primarily considers herself a painter, she says her long-term career goal is to be a curator, gallerist, or to teach. Certainly her own talent and experience as a painter gives her some valuable perspective. "When you make a piece," she says, "it's always changing. So I think when you're an artist looking at someone else's work, you can kind of see what went into it, what the intent is...Everything's kind of a work in progress." 

Want to see those works-in-progress for yourself? Then you must do so this Friday (and through the weekend) at Brooklyn Fire Proof. Hitchings is part of their Spring Break Art Show, which comprises 15 artists--5 bands alone are playing the opening Friday night. Admission is free before 10pm, with wine being served from 7-9.

Maybe you've met Hitchings in one of 3rd Ward's programming classes she's taken to help build her website (still in progress!) and you want to lend your support -- or maybe you're just in the mood for some dazzling visual art. Either way, your presence is requested.

To give you an idea of Hitchings' work, here's one we're particularly fond of:

"I Loved You" oil on canvas pad, 9x12--Layla Schlack