Artists in Residence

Aaron Deshields is a sculptor based out of Detroit, MI. He was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and received a BFA in Sculpture from Appalachian State University where he explored various aspects of metalwork including forging, fabrication, and casting. After school, he traveled to Detroit, MI. He has worked various jobs as a welder, blacksmith, and ironworker that have all informed his creative practice. He became involved with 555 Arts through the community iron pours, assisting with furnace and mold making operations. He is now an artist in residence at 555 Arts and is working to establish a metal forging and fabrication program.

Amanda Partridge Nordin

Amanda Partridge Nordin is a metal sculptor and painter from North Carolina. Since moving to Detroit 17 years ago, she’s been an artist, a teacher, a mentor, and a fine art collaborator.  Working with mainly found objects and welded steel, Amanda chose the medium of oil paint on wood  and canvas to express her art over the past several years. 

However, her first true love in her years of making fine art is iron casting.  Her career is now moving toward the community and out of the lonely painting studio. She’s found a handful of people who are interested in making cast iron art in Detroit and it’s shined a light on a skill and passion that she’s had and wanted to foster for 20 years. It is Amanda’s hope that by creating an iron casting community in Detroit, it will foster a love for this type of production, create jobs for up and coming artists, and create interest in something new for people who are looking for artistic enrichment in their lives.

Megan Grierson

Megan Grierson was born and raised in Saginaw, MI. She is a Detroit based artist, who graduated from Wayne State University, receiving her BFA in Sculpture. Megan’s sculptural work is primarily focused in clay, mold making, and metal casting. She is also the Live Art Coordinator and Gallery Curator for the Michigan Glass Project, a Detroit non-profit that raises money to help fund art curriculums for Metro Detroit Public Schools. Currently, Megan is an artist in residence at 555 Arts where she helps with building renovations and community iron pours. Megan hopes to use the 555 Arts facility to engage in community art development while also assisting with the continued expansion of the facility’s creative capacity.

Andrew Germann

Andrew Germann is an engineer, father, and veteran. He loves to learn and in turn educate. Growing up he was lucky enough to be surrounded by strong engineer/mechanic mentors that taught him how to work on automobiles, planes, and rockets. These mentors serve as an inspiration to both continue to learn and also pass on knowledge. Andrew is the creator of the Detroit Precious Plastics initiative.