Creative collaboration

IRONWOOD — Sometimes collaborations lead to creations and that was the case for local artists Peg Sandin and Amanda Szot.

The duo will display pieces at the Downtown Art Place until the end of October. According to Sandin, some of the pieces came together after Szot found them unfinished.

“I had some unfinished pieces and Amanda finished them for me,” Sandin said. “We used our very favorite things we like to paint and sculpt.”

Some of Sandin’s paintings were of rocks from the shores of Lake Superior. To help finish the pieces, Szot incorporated real rocks and sand, as well as reclaimed wood for framing and beadwork.

Szot called the process “unique,” because it combined more materials than normally used.

“With my pieces, I usually use three to four different materials, and a lot of people don’t usually do that because it can be very difficult,” Szot said. “Working with Peg’s paintings added another element and another foundation.”

Parts of the art displays include leaves, acorns, rocks, driftwood and other pieces of wood.

“Finding those pieces is the best part,” Szot said.

For Sandin, the pieces help add something she may have missed. “Amanda sees something that I may have missed and thinks of a collection she has,” Sandin said.

Szot said, “I have pieces that have sat there for years, and when I would see one of her paintings, I knew I had something perfect for it. Peg provided a home for some of these things.”

As for future collaborations, the duo said they would take a little more time to work on pieces than previously.

“This took us two years, but it may be three years the next time,” Sandin said. “That way we can spend more time. We didn’t know what to expect and there is something purposeful about it.”

Another element added to the pieces was music. Sandin said she tried to incorporate music into some of the paintings, and Szot helped “bring it together.”

“We’re both a little wacky, but I believe we see the world in similar ways,” Sandin said.

“Fun ways,” Szot said.

A reception for Szot and Sandin is set for Saturday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at DAP in downtown Ironwood. Both will speak about the pieces at 6:30 p.m., and the event is open to the public.

For more information on the display, art classes or the gallery, visit downtownartplace.net.