Erica Rawson (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist who works in sculpture, printmaking, collage, and installation. Her work is grounded in exploring materials, histories, and the intangible connections that bind us to one another through our environment. She approaches her practice as a site of negotiation between intention and chance, where materials can evolve, transform, and decay, creating new meanings in their wake.
Erica uses materiality as a conduit for exploring the natural processes of wear and decay, allowing each object's form to reflect these transformations. Corrosion, fraying, and softening are not just results but processes she invites, allowing my sculptures to embody the tension between control and surrender, preservation and release. Her installations and sculptures hold traces of human touch, echoes of forgotten domesticity, and hints of decay as a living force. Every layer—whether corroding metal, softening burlap, or fraying wire—serves as both a memorial and a cradle for something yet to grow.
Erica grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and moved to Denver, Colorado in 2012. When her artistic vision expanded to larger-scale projects, she identified a need to learn welding to construct her own frames. This led her to Derb Design in Denver’s River North Arts District in 2013, where an apprenticeship launched a career in metal fabrication. Her contributions include installations for venues such as 715 Club, American Bonded, and Gold Point. Today, Erica resides in Denver with her daughter, Clem, and serves as the Art Director of The Matchbox Collective. In this role, she curates exhibitions and collaborates with both local and national artists, fostering an inclusive creative community.
Her role as a welding instructor at the Community College of Denver fostered her passion for teaching, where she championed diversity, discovery, and empowerment through hands-on learning, guiding students in mastering technical skills while exploring their creative potential. Erica’s role with the Museum of Outdoor Arts further bridges education and collaboration, as she mentors emerging artists nationwide to design and construct site-specific installations at Marjorie Park in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
In December 2024, Erica earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
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