Artist Interview with Susan Lenz: Diving in Head First
Fall 2025 Artist-in-Residence
in Hamilton, MT
Artist-in-Residence, Susan Lenz lovingly introduces her sewing machine.
Describe your Open AIR Residency experience. For example, how did you spend your time, construct your space, or engage with the community?
For the month of October, 2025, I was fortunate enough to be part of Explore the Arts in Hamilton, Montana. Most days found me up early in an attempt to stay on Eastern Standard Time. This allowed me to quietly maintain my morning routine of writing stream-of-consciousness journal entries, check email messages, and post something about the residency on social media before other people arrived and before getting to work stitching on projects that I brought with me.
Soon enough, I was also stitching on fabric that was altered by natural dyes and local plant material. This happened due to a workshop taught by three local ladies who also belong to a women’s hiking group. Soon enough, I was able to hike Calf Creek Trail with members. Other connections occurred through the weekly “Open Studios” in the area. One nice lady invited me to visit her four llamas (though one was a mix breed, half llama and half alpaca). As a result, I have a large bag of short fur/wool for future explorations. I also attended a Writer’s Circle whose meetings take place at Explore the Arts. I attended the October meeting of the Cook+Book club and an author’s book tour, and two events organized by Chapter One bookstore. I was put in contact with Jennifer Clothier, an artist represented by Explore the Arts. She invited me to her studio and taught me her technique of making floor mats using collected stones.
The most significant community interaction, however, was one that I prearranged. I reached out to another member of SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) and connected with Heidi Zielinski. This connection led to meetings with two fiber art groups in the Bitterroot Valley and during my last week, there was more. I learned all about Gelli plate botanical printing and how to fold sheets of printed paper into unique, one-of-a-kind paper bags. Both workshops focused on areas popular within the fiber arts community, but involved techniques, supplies, and materials I had never tried. The chance to investigate these new approaches will lead to further explorations that would not have happened without the time and opportunities I found while in Montana.
Steve Dingman and Susan Lenz upon arrival in Hamilton, MT
Tell us about your artistic background and who helped you on your journey:
I am self-taught. The biggest help in my creative life is undoubtedly my husband Steve Dingman because of his constant support which comes in a variety of forms … bookkeeping, cooking, cleaning, and driving me to and from art residencies.
What are you reading/watching/or listening to?
While in Montana, I read Jane Hamilton’s The Excellent Lombards, a book I picked up for a dollar at a Hamilton thrift store. I’d read several of her earlier books, including The Book of Ruth and Map of the World, but hadn’t read this one. I bought Blazing Eye Sees All by Leah Sottile at Chapter One bookstore when the author gave a talk. Ordinarily, I would have never read this book about New Age cults but it was very good. I finished Misty Copeland’s early memoir, Life in Motion, which seemed appropriate as she gave her farewell ballet performance in New York City while I was in Montana. I also read most of Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and it definitely let me know that staying estranged from my family is a good idea.
Susan shares her work during her Artist Presentation at Explore the Arts
How would you describe the evolution of your work, and how do you hope your audience perceives your work?
As an artist whose studio practice is well established, I’m not exactly sure that a major evolution in my artwork is going to happen despite new explorations with natural dyeing and Gelli plate printing. I did have an ‘aha’ moment at that particular workshop. I learned that Gelli plate printing is EASY, not something that requires a complicated recipe to make the plate, and careful calculations in order to use the plate. I actually feel rather silly now that I see just how simple this technique is to master!
Generally, my concepts are deeply rooted in giving “second life” to old, often neglected or obsolete materials. This will continue. If anything, I hope that audiences see the impact that comes from national exposure, as opposed to my regional experiences. After all, the need to be environmentally aware is everywhere.
What keeps you returning to this subject, body of work? For you, what's the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative?
I’m old. I know that my days on earth are limited and that there are fewer years ahead than behind me. Thus, my awareness of creating potentially precious keepsakes and artworks with a lasting legacy is never far from my mind. Among the many rewarding aspects of being an artist is the ability to bring artwork to life that has a chance to become someone’s treasured keepsake.
I would like to leave a few things behind to mark my life on earth. By that, I mean to have a few pieces of artwork in permanent collections. Thankfully, I have achieved this for at least three pieces now owned by reputable museums.
Susan jokes with the audience during her Artist Presentation
Why do the arts/artists matter?
Artists are at the forefront of society’s pulse, especially regarding changing times and social behavior. They provide ways for others to engage in conversations and political actions, and to learn about different segments of society. The arts encourage empathy for others as well as ways to protest viewpoints held by others.
