Paul Nosa is a recipient of a 2015 Artist Research & Development Grant.
Artist Research and Development Grants are designed to support the advancement of artistic research, aid in the development of artistic work and recognize the contributions individual artists make to Arizona’s communities. For more information about the Artist Research & Development Grant, click here.
Tucson artist Paul Nosa’s Arizona Sewing Tour takes him around the state to fairs, festivals and arts markets in Kingman, Bisbee, Phoenix, Sedona, Prescott, and elsewhere—13 stops in all—at which he is sewing unique patches with designs inspired by public suggestion. His portable sewing machine, or the Solar Sewing Rover, is powered by a solar panel and a bicycle that generates electricity, so that his setup requires no external electricity, tables or chairs; all supplies are contained on the Solar Sewing Rover, which also functions as a bicycle trailer. People can ride the bicycle to generate the electricity for their patch.
During each interaction, participants are asked to describe a scenario, using five words or less, that Nosa translates into a one-of-a-kind patch without the use of a computer, template or even a sketch on the fabric. During this tour, Nosa is giving away the resultant patch to the participant. He is, however, photographing each design for inclusion in his second book documenting this process. It will be the follow-up to his first collection, “Sewn Scenarios”, which highlights many of the 7,000 patches Nosa has already created.
Paul Nosa is an artist, a musician and an inventor in Tucson, Arizona. He created the Solar Sewing Rover, a portable sewing machine powered by solar panel and an electricity-generating bicycle. He uses this device to create original fiber art drawings and patches that illustrate “five-word-or-less scenarios” from participants at public events in a highly performative and collaborative process.
After graduating from the University of Arizona in 1994, Nosa was making pen and ink illustrations and, in 2003, designed a clothing line from resourced material. He began sewing patches in 2005. Drawing with a sewing machine developed from a rewarding art form to his full time career; Nosa has sewn over 7000 original patches and has documented them in his book, Sewn Scenarios.
Nosa is currently touring nationally. Follow his progress and learn more about his work at www.pnosa.com.
Perspectives: P.Nosa
Perspectives is an on ongoing series of interviews and check-ins with recipients of our Artist Research and Development Grant (ARDG). Today we speak with 2015 ARDG recipient Paul Nosa (AKA, P.Nosa) of Tucson.
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Land Tracings
In June 2016, the Arts Commission presented an exhibition at Chartreuse, a contemporary art space on historic Grand Avenue in downtown Phoenix, featuring work by five members of the 2015 cohort of Artist Research & Development Grant recipients. These five artists work in various media and address multiple thematic concerns, but at the core of their artistic practice is a common need to document a passing moment.
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Perspectives: Paul Nosa
"Some people struggle. They want their idea to be good, and they're thinking, trying to concoct some idea. Ultimately, that's a terrible place to workshop— the dark recesses of your mind. I'm trying to get people to use their imagination and think creatively." Paul Nosa, recipient of a 2015 Artist Research Development Grant
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We’re back with another Community Conversation — and this time, we’re headed to Lake Havasu City and Kingman!
Join us on June 16 at 4:30 PM at Beale Street Theater in Kingman and on June 17 at 4 PM at Mohave Community College - Lake Havasu City Campus for a 90-minute interactive session all about YOU and the arts in your community.
RSVP by scanning the QR code, clicking the link in our b
We’re staying closer to our Phoenix home for the next Community Conversations, visiting the west and east valley!
Then catch us in Mesa at the Mesa Main Library on May 22!