Meet Denise Weyhrich | Installation artist & curator, retired university professor 

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Weyhrich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I love risks! Life as adventure is so very exciting. My personality is one that does not choose repetition when it is exhilarating to explore the new and different. Following established recipes is not my thing, especially when there are fresh veggies in the garden, for what is available and fresh is so much more desirable! The same is how I see the artworks. What is fresh, what is happening, what is available creates new directions. How can I turn my back on the current crisis and not react to that need through artworks? Yes it is risky, uncomfortable, but holding my breath I do jump in. I must risk. (My husband has been in for a wild ride from the get go.)

My being a problem solver drives the vision, which always comes with some risks. The same is true with our curating. Reaching out takes lots of risks. Inventing the new solutions is risky but so worth the discomfort of the moment. Life is just a series of experiments! So I expect to make mistakes and through the failures I learn how to improve. In allowing an abundance of grace, while staying open to experimentation in an encouraging environment truly can allow others to flourish.

It seems that I do love the thrill of a new beginnings and the challenges of launching new programs, groups, organizations… Throughout all my life I have started a number of outreach groups with high school and college friends, an university BFA degree with incredible students, a non-profit arts organization with a daring best friend… Risks seem difficult but benefits of taking the risk, following your heart and moving to the unknown far out-weigh the costs.

Around the Christmas dinner table my nephew emphatically stated that now at 36 he knows exactly who he is, what he wants, and where he is going. In turn I shared that life is still a mystery, for life constantly evolves and truly the Lord only knows what is next! And I am great with that! His grandmother giggled.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Oh what sets me apart is the same for each of us, it is your life story!

So let me explain through my life’s art. Yes that old adage that the most recent art work is the most exciting and relevant. I’ve just completed an artwork called: a time to tear out, a time to mend. (Ecclesiastes 3:7 you may know the old song from Ecclesiastes 3, “To everything turn, turn, turn…”) I’m celebrating my fifth year journey through surviving stage four ovarian cancer. When my hair was falling out I would notice the dried, full drain catcher would form what looked like little hats. Struck by the irony that my loss of hair would create what resembled a hat -a covering for my bald head. There are 14 hats. Over the months and years I would take the hats out of their box to ponder what to do with them. Still I couldn’t find artwork that wasn’t tragic, self-absorbed, or gross.

A friend of mine recently asked if I procrastinated a lot with my art. I thought a lot about this. “It’s not procrastination it’s Gestation.” I have to wait to gather all the elements as each element is slowly gathered. It needs time to grow and mature before birthing. The duration of time to gather the authentic pieces is part of the piece’s DNA. The period of time is symbolic and at the heart of the artwork…whether I plan it or not, it all works out miraculously! Art needs the test of time and it needs its moment. At the beginning January I pulled out the box and a number of pieces that has been set aside for years to use but I didn’t know why or how, I just knew it was for something. A pair of acolyte candlesticks and snuffers, a glass dome from Nevada City, friends’ moving donation of a huge spool of jute… all elements of this artwork were waiting for their moment for almost a decade. Then poof! There the artwork revealed itself! It’s a gift from God. From the get go with my journey through cancer the hope was that it would be “a time to tear out a time to mend!”

This is what my art is about: Miracles of life, The struggles of health and life, and most of all those miracles of healing in a trouble world. It was physically and financially impossible, yet prayer and miracles shaped a new narrative. I always hope that my artwork is sympathetic to the viewer still offers hope like a crisp glass of water.

I’ve learned that in the creating of my artworks these parables must be being transparent and being real, while allowing people to interact with the artwork to create their own stories. The authenticity of my materials really matters as well. No props but actual objects that people lived with and were a part of life.

Since Covid I have been gathering covid newspaper articles, asking others to write their prayers within and fly them/release these hard sad and the impossible to God. All in the form of a paper airplane flown towards a golden antenna. “Casting Crown” has become therapeutic as an interactive community gathering and installation artwork. At our home, Saddleback Church, Christ Cathedral, and Austin TX we have had gatherings. As of 1/2022 2,400 prayer planes have been gathered. Each day I continue folding and praying over these articles: London Telegraph, NY Times, LA Times, OC Register and various places of the world people send their paper airplanes! (Yes! Do send yours to me anytime!) Hopefully soon we can gather and fly them at the next installation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

First from the airport go to the beach!

Oh extremely fun questions! Let’s say via airports!

If arriving at Long Beach Airport, then go straight to Seal Beach for breakfast at LaCrema patio and then walk if off to the end of the pier as the waves are incredible. Do not miss the classic whimsical Shell Shop! (Remember to buy baked goods for breakfast for the next morning.) For lunch go straight to Belmont Shore, Dominico’s Pizza has been incredible since 1970’s and nothing this side of Italy is as great! Dominico’s Special pizza is beyond words for paper thin crust and gluten free! That Salad rocks, tomato soup is rich so well-seasoned and creamy. There reasons that Domincos dishes have stayed the same since my college days living in Belmont! Like Seal Beach, Belmont is still charming and has so many shops, great places all around! Just around the corner is the new 2nd & PCH that has something for everyone again. All are beautiful night spots, but walks around Naples Island walks are the most romantic. All during covid we were able to enjoy these and made me realize how fortunately I was to live there for years.

If arriving at John Wayne Airport, pick up Kean coffees bring the dog and walk the beautiful untouched Upper Newport Bay wetlands, then off to Roger’s Gardens, and Newport Civic Center sculpture gardens. Drive over to Balboa Island and take the ferry to Newport Peninsula to hang out at Marina Park fun park, water all around, boating everywhere, fun playground and incredible architecture project of my husband! So many great places to eat but my celiac limits Fashion Island to: True Kitchen, Hopdoddy Burger Bar and PF Changs. I am waiting for more GF places but Asian Box by UCI campus is the best!

Laguna Beach has more charm, incredible coves and crystal blue waves, great food and galleries. Kitchen in the Canyon is our favorite hidden café (with GF real options!) Everything on the menu is perfectly prepared and away from the crowds. With the canyon dog park and beaches you can walk your dog everywhere. Set aside a time to visit the Laguna museum but no dogs, yet the Susan Greenwood Gallery is across the street is a dog friendly must. The town has so many interesting streets, neighborhoods, restaurants, the Festival of the Masters gallery is always a summer highlight…and there is the Pageant of the Masters in the summer too.

All airports lead back to home! I left Belmont Shore to marry and move to Old Towne Orange not knowing that this sleepy little town filled with antique stores and historical homes would be the foodie capital of Orange County. With great 1920’s architecture, spending the day in Old Towne Orange is a delight from great cafes where everyone does know your name, to the shops and coffee stops. At Byblos you will receive a home cooked meal by Zelfa & Adel, for 30 years they have been feeding us! My college favorite remains Rutabegorz as Vern and her entire welcoming crew are ready with GF options and an endless menu. Really home cooking and care, do forget the baked goods and GF cookies! The Saturday Orange Homegrown Farmer’s Market is the best in California. You can get anything from the same person produced the products and produce! Surrounded by talented dedicated people each Saturday with always live music while you shop. I must mention our Full Circle Meaningful Marketplace a upscale thrift-store that hosts our SEEDS Fine Art Gallery. With a new artists shown every 2 months in their shop, as all the proceeds support the Youth Center of Orange providing free after school care for kids! Beyond friendly clean and exciting the Old Towne Orange plaza is better than downtown Disneyland, but I hear people like that too.

Now if you fly into LAX…oh as a LA kid the stories and places to tell you about abound. Just to say it is Southern California where so much is always happening, but do try to attend LA Phil or LA Master chorale or LA opera just once in your life. Disney Hall, Music Center, Hollywood Bowl…all the classics But go to Phillipe’s first!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The most memorable lecture I ever heard was by the late artist Wayne Thiebaud. For his talk given with his retrospective art exhibit at OCMA was entirely about those who inspired and influenced his artworks. That molded me!

Shoutouts! Yes, it is truly all about those who come along side and before. I know that each are a gift from God. Sellers, Jana, Nancy, Cindi, Stark, C Jones, R. Reiss, A Gormley, A Goldsworthy, Kiefer, Thiebaud, The Masters, CSULB… By growing up in the wonderful diverse cultures of LA, my friends and family all are significant inspirations that mold my life.

I had great parents whose wacky joie de vivre allowed me to explore, make mistakes and they cheered from the sidelines. Not that they were easy critics for my artworks’ honesty did caused uncomfortable sadness as well of joy, and laughter. Yet they were always interested in my work and very proud of me, not just as their daughter. Also I had the unique experience of sticking around So CA and evolving through so many areas of art, graphic design, teaching and curating…my folks always hung in there and were along for the ride. This goes for my grandparents too. I remember my grandmother kicking my grandfather’s leg under the dining room table as she declared that “THEY were paying for my university tuition, books …AND art supplies” and that was it. I worked each morning then drove to CSULB classes with the $10.00 monthly gift from my other grandmother’s welfare check. From the beginning that support from my parents and grandparents allowed me to explore the arts. I know they are still supporting and cheering from heaven as I write this! Thanks Mom, Dad, Alta & Pa, Victorine!

Oh one last thing about the risks: It is the risk that other people took in trusting me to work for them and with them and alongside them. They trusted my instincts, saw potential, knew my heart, and gave me room to make mistakes and grow. In life, I’m only here by miracle of God that an incredible ovarian oncologist risked Her reputation and The UCI medical center to save my life from stage four ovarian cancer.

Website: deniseweyhrich.com seedsfineart.com

Instagram: deniseweyhrich seedsfineart

Linkedin: denise weyhrich

Facebook: denise weyhrich

Youtube: https://vimeo.com/438100465/5822127c65 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QHVZWSXeBw&t=1s

Other: films listed on web site Casting Crowns Filmings: https://youtu.be/jaXh7nqzeAM https://www.instagram.com/p/CB1rl64AXCX/?igshid=lswi7v4qtu2u Luminate 2020 https://www.creativitycatalyst.org/the-story https://vimeo.com/438100465/5822127c65 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QHVZWSXeBw&t=1s

Image Credits
Photos by Rob Tran rob-tran.com Portrait and Casting Crowns