Cadena Family Artists

Artists Robbin Cadena and two of her children, Dustin and Melissa, joined LSPS-LC after watching some demonstration videos by studio instructor Meg Biddle on Youtube. The family uses the studio to create some of the most fantastical and large-scale sculptures in the non-profit’s history. The three tap into almost a century worth of their collective experience in the arts to make their work!

The Cadena family history is seeped in the arts, with their mother Robbin coming from a graphic design, animation and calligraphy background, as well as working with film productions and for Columbia College (where she graduated from). Robbin’s art standards were always high, and they were upheld after she had her children in the 80’s and 90’s. Sundays were spent at the Art Institute of Chicago (for their family arts program) and weekly trips to the Children’s Museum kept them busy and inspired. Endless art projects at home added to their creative repetoir. The family did not lack in supplies - their home was filled with high-quality materials garnished by Robbin from her own practice as well as for her work.

Robbin’s son Dusty took to play dough, sculpting animals and other whimsical objects. Early on, his focus and talents honed in on patterns, colors and the dazzling combinations he would meld together. He could spend hours drawing and creating, using the many unusual supplies to follow his artistic muses. Dusty also had the additional opportunity to expand his practice by attending a therapeutic school in Northbrook, as well as the Northside Learning Center High School. Both programs kept him busy and social, but Robbin vowed to enhanced his learning. Since she had a vast experience in early childhood special education, she took over a good amount of his education herself. Now her son had a talented and private tutor at home, and gained confidence through the multiple creative outlets provided there.

The Cadena family on a usual studio day! Robbin helping Dusty on their newest bunny pitcher sculpture, Melissa working on some mugs (but always available for insight and creative advice!).

Dusty transitioned into the Gallery 37 program as a teenager (after an audition and portfolio review!), and was able to stay through his twenties. His two older sisters had also joined the program, which was a non-profit created by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs alongside Maggie Daley (wife of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley). The apprenticeship-based program attracted artistic city youth, provided them with incredible mentors, opportunities and a way to sell their work. Robbin managed to pre-buy a few of her children’s amazing pieces, but some were snatched up by the likes of Jackie Chan and other celebrities! Older sister Nikki as well as Dusty excelled in fiber arts, and Melissa in painting.

Siblings Melissa and Dusty found a comfortable and supportive environment in the ceramic studio at Oakton Community College (Des Plaines, IL) after Gallery 37. Melissa herself took hundreds of hours of classes and soaked up everything the college had to offer. A wheel throwing class and a stunning teapot was her spark to stay with the medium, and she thought Dusty might take a liking to the environment as well. Melissa invited Dusty along to one of her ceramics classes, and he took to the demos and people immediately. The duo spent the next years creating work side-by-side, driven by friendly competition; which yielded great results. Unlimited clay, beautiful glazes and endless studio hours kept them there until Melissa maximized her credits, and transitioned over to the University of Illinois. There she received degrees English and History in 2011.

Melissa spent the next few years building up her work experience, sharpening her skills at WGN TV/Radio CBS as a producer. A transition in 2015 lead to a job in corporate recruiting. Now her creative outlet can be found at LSPS-LC, along side her mother and brother, helping with their monumental sculptures (as well as working on her own pieces).

After Robbin retired, she had time to center back on her own creativity, as well as honing Dusty’s. Melissa and Dusty had a great creative working relationship, but Robbin helps him focus and build on his ideas. The family can be found at the studio many hours during the week (they’re all Independent Study Students), standing back and seriously evaluating their ever-growing sculptures.

The family’s creative practice is flowing and organic. Dusty will start off with an idea, such as a round shape. They’ll roll long coils and slowly build the piece up. The developing form is wrapped in plastic and placed on the studio’s tall sculpture stand. It dries a bit between each visit. Each time the family unwraps it, they think about what it could become. Dusty will ponder and suggest that it looks like a “big tummy”, and they’ll run with it and expand it into a rabbit shape. Large sculptures take form, branching out in ways that does not look possible. The family has gotten really good at building pieces that have both heavy forms at the top and bottom- something very difficult to manage with wet and dry clay (which is not light!). Support stands hold up unfurling octopus arms or big leafy petals. Multiple sculptures are usually in the works; each one takes so long to dry that there would be too much time waiting to add to it. Dusty does most of the work, with his family chipping in with suggestions and solutions. You can see him diligently bent over their newest creation, smoothing out coils, contemplating the next step. The process is intuitive, with each artist applying new and old skills. The medium is forgiving - most any mistake can be fixed (unless someone else bumps into the work when it’s wrapped up and drying). According to Robbin, the tactile decisions are great for mental ability (especially for Dusty). Often times it takes all three to add an appendage- two holding a large arm or leaf, one slipping and scoring. When the piece is completed it is left to dry until it is off-white and the surface has no give. It is gently rolled to the kiln and the entire studio sends out good vibes for no cracks or breaks during the bisque firing!

Glazing is often the hardest part of the process for the Cadena family. Difficult decisions are made by spending lots of time at the studio’s glaze test tile wall. All three can be seen pointing, taking down and holding the tiles against the bisque pieces. Sometimes sculptures stay in bisque form for a few weeks or even months- that’s how difficult and important the glaze decisions can be for them. When they finally make their choices, Dusty gets to do some of his favorite parts of the process- applying colorful and unique patterns. His childhood of creating fashion-inspired pieces comes into play, and that can be directly seen on the surface of the objects. The artist loves the medium, stating that the process excites him and he thinks about them when he’s at home and away from the studio. Robbin’s massive collection of art books also play a big roll in the ideas that come to fruition. Dusty will look through them for inspiration, using the pictures (especially animals) to drive his ideas. He’s able to do 2+ hours of intense focus on a project at the studio, and loves the feeling of the material and when a project successfully comes together.

After the beautiful sculptures come out of the kiln, the family whisks them away to put on display at Robbin’s home. She’s prioritized shelf space for the co-operative pieces, so the family can enjoy them each time they relax at their place in Rogers Park. The end results are valued, but what’s most important is the time spent together at the studio; problem-solving and being excited about progress. The family gets to exercise their creative voices, as well as just have quality time in each other’s company. What could be better than that?