616 Presents: Jeffrey Augustine Songco discusses future of The Society of 23
After moving to Grand Rapids because of ArtPrize, he won. Erika Townsley and Jeffrey Augustine Songco talk about what led up to Songco’s performing and visual arts career, and what he has up his sleeve for the future.
On this week’s podcast, Erika Townsley speaks with Jeffrey Augustine Songco. You may be familiar with him, and know him by his body of work Society of 23, where he won the Installation Category Juried Award winner at ArtPrize Nine. Townsley and Songco talk through what came before, and now after, that big win.
Songco was born and raised in New Jersey where he first dipped his toes into the performing arts at age 6 when his parents enrolled him in the New Jersey School of Ballet.
Ballet was an important introduction to the art world, and was something Songco continued through the end of high school.
He continued on with his education, receiving a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and later an MFA from San Francisco Art Institute. During his time in grad school, he was brought back to his roots as a performer, with costume design and a stage presence becoming the backbone of his visual art.
During his time in San Francisco, while working for a start up company in 2011, Songo submitted his first piece into ArtPrize. The piece was titled “GayGayGay Robe,” and was displayed at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Songco entered ArtPrize again in 2012, 2015, and 2016 — and then eventually moved to Grand Rapids. In 2017, he proposed “The Society of 23,” which was then shown at the Water Building and curated by Richard App.
“The Society of 23” made its way to New York to be featured at SPRING/BREAK Art Show where Songo received even more well deserved recognition.
Songco will be displaying new work about The Brothers in “The Society of 23” titled “And We’ll Have A Real Good Time” at Light Gallery + Studio from April 6-27.
See more of Songco’s work on his website, and follow along with him on Instagram.
616 Presents is a podcast recorded at Light Gallery + Studio in Grand Rapids, MI. With a focus on Art, Design, and Community, conversations are had with the movers and shakers living in Grand Rapids — or just passing through. The hosts for 616 Presents are Erika Townsley, Fernando Ramirez, and Matthew Provoast. Recording supported by Kearney Creative.
