Donnelly Marks is a New York City–based sculptor and photographer whose work explores the flow of consciousness through transience, imperfection, and material transformation. Guided by intuition and chance, Marks creates new visual narratives from found materials—crushed cardboard, concrete, and metal—allowing spontaneous connections to shape the creative process.

Marks earned a BFA in Sculpture and Fine Art Photography from Carnegie Mellon University and has lectured on photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Their work has been exhibited at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center (a Smithsonian Affiliate, MD); Westbeth Gallery; Prince Street Gallery; Queens College Art Center; Jamaica Arts Center; Montana Modern Fine Art; and Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, among others.

Featured in Canvas Rebel (2024) and Art Lives Here, Vol. 1 (2024), Marks continues to develop an evolving dialogue between matter, gesture, and perception from their Long Island City studio.

This 90 min. hands-on workshop invites participants to rediscover the joy of creative play—through sculpture. Using simple, everyday materials, artist Donnelly Marks guides you in building your own personal warrior, an embodiment of strength, resilience, and imagination.

The process begins with spontaneity—the first cut, fold, or mark made without judgment or apology. Inspired by Allen Ginsberg’s notion of “spontaneous poetics,” participants are encouraged to let intuition guide their hands, allowing ideas to unfold freely in the moment.

Through this playful exploration, each sculptural figure becomes a reflection of inner courage and creative freedom. Made from modest materials, these works carry quiet resilience, reminding us that in times of personal, cultural, or political unrest, to create and to play is to resist—and to restore.

All materials provided; no prior experience required.