Kelly Hider (KH): What led you to pursuing visual arts as a career?
Jace Hermanto (JH): I’ve been making art for as long as I remember. I’ve basically been processing things somehow or another through the making process most of my life.
When I was young, I had pretty much decided I wanted some kind of art-related career as I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Ultimately, I feel confident in my choice to be an artist as it has allowed me to communicate with others on a level I never thought I could achieve, as well as opened my mind to new possibilities within my artistic practice where I had previously restricted myself.
KH: Tell us more about your work and studio practice. What are the mediums you primarily work in, and themes that your work explores?
JH: I work mostly in printmaking, paper arts, and collage. Currently, I am exploring the possibilities of print brought into 3D and/or 4D realms, because the multiplicity inherent in printmaking has so much potential to build upon. In addition to the repetition, I also value the variability in the printmaking process, the changes that can occur at different stages.
My work spins off my childhood love of fantasy and storytelling. Instead of turning to storytelling as a method of escapism, I am now trying to confront my own conflicts through narrative. I’m interested in the concept of identity as performance and in deconstructing character archetypes as a metaphor for accepting the dynamic nature of existence. My work also copes with themes of obligation, transformation, heritage, and tradition as a way to unlearn trying to be a perfect being.
KH: What interested you most in the Arrowmont Visions Internship?
JH: Upon having my first craft school experience this summer, I fell in love with the environment and wanted to find ways to become more involved. I had never been to Arrowmont, but I knew that there would be a rich community of people and artists waiting for me here.
One of my dream careers is to be a facilitator of a space that supports and invigorates making on such a level. I was also excited at the prospect of working with youth in the arts, as I believe they require the most support at their stage in life. I was interested in learning the behind-the-scenes happenings of an arts organization such as Arrowmont.
KH: What have been the most valuable learning opportunities you’ve had during your internship?
JH: ArtReach has been an incredible learning experience for me. I’ve assisted art classes before but helping with ArtReach really showed me the amount of preparation and care that goes into programs like these. It takes a lot of work, and I’ve experienced that first-hand after measuring out 200 bags of clay, staining 60 wood frames, warping looms day after day – but it’s very much worth it for the kids to have this experience. I also spent a lot of time helping the Institutional Advancement team on large-scale tasks. The main take-away that has come out of this internship is my newfound respect for arts administrators as they are working constantly to keep places like Arrowmont running and thriving. Their passion for the arts is on another level, to put the amount of effort they do into their careers as well as their own practices, since many of them are artists themselves. I definitely see it as something to try to live up to
KH: How has your experience at Arrowmont as the Fall Visions Intern – impacted you?
JH: This internship was my first real footing on the path towards a career in arts administration. I’ve had so many new experiences in the 10 weeks I’ve been at Arrowmont. Being here for workshop season has been amazing because I’ve met so many people from different walks of life. It’s great making connections knowing I might run into some of these people again if I continue to put myself out there.
Sometimes I have a little trouble breaking out of my shell, but the community at Arrowmont has truly welcomed me, inspired me, and made me feel more confident in where I’m headed. This place is really special, and it feels bittersweet that my time here is almost over, but I’ll be happy to return in the future!
KH: Once you’re part of the Arrowmont community and family, you’re part of it forever. We’ll be here, Jace, and hope you return many times in the future!
Jace Hermanto lived in East Tennessee his entire life and considers the forests and mountains of Southern Appalachia home. In his practice, Jace is interested in resolving conflicts that exist between identity and tradition, specifically in context of his Indonesian and Tennessean heritage. He believes that craft is a window through which one can reconnect with and experience tradition when feeling isolated from it.
Jace completed his BFA in studio art with a 2D concentration and a minor in art history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in May 2022. He works primarily in printmaking, drawing and painting. He received his Associate’s degree from Pellissippi State Community College in 2018. Jace was studio assistant at Penland School of Craft and received a scholarship to attend Anderson Ranch Arts Center (2022). He works with children in the arts as a volunteer at the Knoxville Museum of Art and currently works at The Muse Knoxville. jacehermanto.com
