What makes an artwork come to life? What are the forces that animate creative practice?

The artists in Getting the Spirit Out, the 2024 Distillery Residency exhibition, have created a group of works that feel distinctly alive—channeling spirits and visualizing the unseen energy around us. Though they all work in very different ways, using a variety of different media and processes, and draw on unique cultural backgrounds, the artists in this year’s Distillery cohort all use their practice to give life—to history, memory, suffering, and joy—and to set their creative spirits free.

This year’s Artists-in-Residence are Imani Batts, Armanis Fuentes, Finn Dugan, Joshua Challen Ice, Evangeline Mensah-Agyekum, Sophie Thompson, and Caroline Yoo.

The Distillery residency is one of BHA’s longest running  programs—a year-long studio residency designed to help seven Pittsburgh-based emerging artists transition into a professional artistic career by supporting a rigorous studio practice and providing professional development opportunities in a creative and affordable environment.

BHA invites the public to the opening reception of Getting the Spirit Out on May 9, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm, at the Brew House Arts Gallery. The opening is free to attend.