b. 1987, Iowa
Lives and works in Oakland, CA
alspachl [at]gmail [dot] com
Liz Alspach is an artist, designer, and writer who builds organizations and forges relationships as tools for imagining and building radical futures. Her book, Two Plus Two Equals Cake, was published in 2022. Liz founded The Mercery in 2022 on the heels of completing masters research with artisan entrepreneurs in Oaxaca, Mexico, and she is working full-time to orient the ethically focused textile manufacturer towards disruptive business models while showing up everyday with resolve and humility. Liz holds a BA from Carleton College and an MFA from the University of Arkansas.
education
MFA University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Cabinetmaking Workshop College of the Redwoods, Fort Bragg, CA
BA Carleton College, Northfield, MN
selected work experience
FOUNDER
THE MERCERY COLLECTIVE, 2022
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTIONAL FABRICATION
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, 2015-2018
INTERIM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR
UC BERKELEY’S LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE, 2013-2015
PROJECT COORDINATOR
SRA INTERNATIONAL IN SUPPORT OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, 2010-2013
selected group exhibitions
2019 True Refrigeration, Crust Bucket Collective, Fayetteville, AR
2019, UArk Lamps, Forage Modern, Minneapolis, MN
2019, The Bathroom Talk, The Restroom at Forage Modern, Minneapolis, MN
2016, 3D Digital Tools, Icebox Gallery, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA
2009, Thesis Exhibition, Concert Hall Gallery, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
fieldwork
2019, Independent expedition, Death Valley National Park, CA
2019, Independent expedition, Mojave National Preserve, CA
2018, Independent expedition, Yosemite National Park, CA
2016, Team expedition, Laos, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia
2010, Woodfire kiln building, NOrthfield, MN
2010, Pop-up saw-mill, Northfield, MN
2009, Team expedition, Heafy Trek, New Zealand
2009, Woodfire kiln building, Matatina Marae, New Zealand
2008, Independent documentary expedition, Yangtze River, China
2007, INdependent documentary expedition, Oaxaca, MX
2007, Woodfire kiln building, Hilo, HI
speaking
2019, Panelist, Servant Leadership Conference, Crowder College, Neosho, MO
2019, Biz Talk, Walton School of Business Podcast
2018 ArtSlam, International Sculpture Conference, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Artfully Yours, www.happybodies.wordpress.com
2009, Empty Bowls event speaker, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
digital & print publications
2020, Ava and Amelia’s Adventures on Berry Street, BFF Press, Fayetteville, AR
2020, OP-ED: PROVIDING GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN A TIME OF NEED, AR Money & Politics
2020, A.W.L.I.N., Class publication, University of Arkansas
2018, UArk Lamp, Blurb.com, Minneapolis, MN
2008 Up River Yangtze, Self-published, Washington, D.C.
2007, The Saddle Road, Self-published, Northfield, MN
selected awards & fellowships
2020, Summer Research Grant, Mildred’s Lane, University of Arkansas
2020, Anderson Ranch Fellowship, University of Arkansas
2019, Sturgis INternational Fellowship, University of Arkansas
2019, Project Research Grant, University of Arkansas
2019, Summer Research Grant, University of Arkansas
2019, ISC Travel Fellowship
2019, NCECA Travel Fellowship
2019, Finalist, National Parks Arts Foundation Residency, Big Island, HI
2018, First Prize, Social Innovation Challenge, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
2009, Finalist, Watson International Fellowship,
2018, ISC Travel Fellowship
2018, NCECA, Travel Fellowship
2008, Larson Travel FEllow, China, Carleton College
2008, Jepson Memorial Award in Studio ARt, Carleton College
2008, lService Internship Fellow, Oaxaca, MX