Closing Reception at Backfence Society – Where the Heart Is

Backfence Society’s June occupants Olivia Prior and Helena Westra are pleased to announce their closing reception for their month-long occupancy. Where the Heart Is is an activation of the Backfence space centered around an immersive ceramic installation. The exhibition is of short duration and serves as an ode to the artists’ time spent in their home town before moving and transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Also included are works from their time at home as well as from their time spent at community college. This display is a tender homage to Prior and Westra’s formative years living at home. With works of oil and acrylic, as well as sculptural pieces, they share their coming-of-age stories through visual expression as they continue to learn and grow as artists.

The reception will take place on June 25th, from 5-8 PM, with artist talks at 6 PM. The following day, June 26th, open gallery hours will be from 12-5 PM. Visitors can also stop by Backfence during open studio hours to visit the artists, ask questions, and view their process on June 20th and the 21st, from 10 AM-5 PM.

Olivia Prior is a Southern California-based multimedia artist. Vista has been Prior’s home for her whole life, where she has learned the fundamentals of art and painting from her dad in his home studio. Home is where she honed her artistic skills from childhood until now, and where she has made her first steps in staking a claim of her own in the art world. She completed her Associate’s Degree in Studio Art at MiraCosta this year and is transferring to California State University Long Beach in the fall of 2022.

Helena Westra is a San Diego-based artist. Growing up as an ethnically mixed military brat and moving around every couple of years, her concept of home and identity has taken a variety of shapes. She translates this experience into ceramics and painting, utilizing creative expression to build self-trust and practice vulnerability. This year, she received her Associate’s Degree in Studio Art at MiraCosta and is transferring to San Diego State University in the fall of 2022.