Meet Marissa Raglin, the 2017-18 Artist in Residence for the Skirvin Paseo Artist Creativity Exposition, or SPACE. Each year, an emerging artist who is a member of the Paseo Arts Association is selected to serve as Artist in Residence at the historic Skirvin Hotel in downtown OKC for the SPACE program.

Marissa, SPACE’s sixth Artist in Residence, is an Oklahoma City-based visual artist who works in collage and resin. Having earned a BA in Studio Art from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2012, Marissa discovered Danielle Krysa’s book Creative Block and was inspired to explore the medium of collage. Now, Marissa creates collage works that deliver original narratives by fusing found imagery pulled from vintage magazines, illustrated books and postcards using the precision of an Xacto knife.

Currently, Marissa has an installation at 21C Hotel Museum that will stay up until February 2019. Additionally, she exhibited a collection titled Nesting at Oklahoma Visual Arts Commission’s annual Momentum show this year, which is now featured at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Mitchell Education Center. Marissa utilizes SPACE to create and exhibit an entirely new collection of work. “The natural lighting is great and it’s just a fun space to create in,” Marissa says. “It’s ten times the size of any studio I’ve ever worked in.”

In her studio at the Skirvin, Marissa offers hands-on workshops that give guests a glimpse into her creative process. More than 500 visitors have attended Marissa’s “Cut & Paste” workshops to create handmade collage postcards using vintage images that she has compiled. The workshops provide visitors with a unique, creative experience and help spread awareness about Marissa’s art and the medium of collage. Meeting so many new people is Marissa’s favorite part about the SPACE experience. “It’s encouraging to meet people that help you on your path,” says Marissa.

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When asked why she would recommend applying for the SPACE program to other local artists, Marissa explains that she is not aware of another residency in Oklahoma that provides the level of support as the SPACE residency. “It really makes you want to stay in Oklahoma, to keep producing in Oklahoma because there is a strong sense of community being in this downtown atmosphere,” says Marissa. “It just makes you want to create.”