ARTIST BIO: 2020 BEV RICHEY
Born in New Haven, CT, Bev Richey was exposed early in life to the separation of head and heart and raised in an intellectual community while living in a spiritually intuitive Jewish home.
This early dichotomy continues to inform her art practice.
As an artist, arts organizer, and arts administrator she encouraged and supported artists and non-artists alike to work together on ephemeral public artworks. This work reached a pinnacle with a commission by the city of New Haven that incorporated over a hundred active participants from diverse backgrounds working together to develop and deliver over 3500 pieces of birthday cake free to the New Haven community.
Having accomplished numerous artistic goals related to community and inclusivity, Richey was then ready to move on. Her experience growing up in a deeply divided community created an interest in exploring issues related to private versus public. This made the midwest fertile ground for her interests. Settling on a ridge in the driftless region of Wisconsin, Richey was inspired and informed by the natural world as well as the nearby small communities.
A move to Milwaukee a decade later brought the opportunity for her to re-engage in urban culture. She was able to advance her interest in advanced Art History studies at UWM and in 2013 joined the Midwest Jewish Artists Laboratory. The Midwest Jewish Artists’ Laboratory was founded and directed by Jody Hirsh, Jewish Education Director funded by the Covenant Foundation. The MJAL became central in Richey’s art life. She credits the focus of a yearly theme of study, monthly study sessions with an annual exhibition requirement, combined with developing relationships with other Jewish artists, as a critical factor in her current studio practice. After six years of active LAB participation, Richey remains committed.
Richey has an undergraduate degree in psychology followed by university studio art classes, an artist apprenticeship, and advanced studies in Art History. In her early years working as an arts administrator, she co-founded and co-directed several artists’ organizations while serving on local nonprofit arts boards.
