Jen Rose

Jen Rose — guest artist

 

Jen Rose is a visionary installation and environmental artist celebrated for her innovative contributions to art and ecological advocacy. Her work spans from intimate, small sculptures to large grant-funded projects created with community participation. While Rose’s primary medium is porcelain, she has explored various materials throughout her career. Each installation or project transforms the environment into a thoughtful and transcendent space.

 

Her first large-scale installation was a collaboration with Richland College (now Dallas College: Richland Campus) honoring Texas soldiers killed in World War I. Shortly thereafter, Rose partnered with Marian Lefeld to create *In You We Trust*, a collaborative studio project raising awareness about minors trafficked on the streets of Dallas. This project was funded by a grant from the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, activated over 100 volunteers from the North Texas community, and culminated in an exhibition on the Richland campus.

 

Throughout her career, Rose has maintained an active exhibition record, displaying installations at The Dallas Contemporary, Carneal Simmons Gallery, Camiba Gallery, the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the Firehouse Art Center in Longmont, Colorado. She also completed two 3,000-piece installations: one at the Houston Botanical Garden, in partnership with Lawndale Art Center, and another at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.

 

In 2020, responding to the climate crisis, Jen Rose developed unique outdoor porcelain sculptures designed for insects. These small porcelain cups hold water for thirsty bees and butterflies. The individual pieces are tailored to bee physiology. Using her expertise in glaze chemistry and her entomological studies of pollinator vision, Rose created an ultraviolet glaze that mimics how flowers communicate with pollinators. This glaze appears clear to humans but glows brightly to bees, birds, and butterflies. These small sculptures, called Bee Cups, have been highly successful, enabling her to build a business around this and other bee-related handmade objects. Bee Cups are sold across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe. Rose considers this her largest self-funded public artwork. In late 2023, she was awarded a patent for the Bee Cup watering station and the ultraviolet glaze.

 

Rose’s art uniquely appeals to broad audiences while maintaining artistic integrity and intellectual depth. She draws inspiration from the environment. For instance, a recent commission purchased by a private collector was inspired by geology and the breathtaking night sky of her West Texas childhood. Some of her favorite projects involve suspended installations or subtle color changes that create soft and sweeping visuals.

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bee-cups.com

Dallas, Texas