Michael Asbill

Michael Asbill is a visiting lecturer and head of the sculpture program at the State University of New York at New Paltz, and founder/director of CHRCH Project Space (Rosendale, NY), a residency for community-based participatory art. His practice weaves arts advocacy, environmentalism, and curatorial work into installation and public art.

His research interests center on community engagement through environmental art, with projects exhibited at Sporobole (Sherbrooke), Flux Factory (NYC), Oregon City Elevator, and Poughkeepsie Train Station. As a Habitat for Artists collaborator, he developed eco-social projects for Smack Mellon, Arts Brookfield, DC Commission on the Arts, Corcoran Museum, and 601 Tully.

His notable work DEEP END (2010) exemplifies trends in transforming neglected infrastructure into artistic commentary on decay and memory, using photographic documentation to explore abandoned spaces as sites of cultural and environmental narrative.

Key awards include:

• New York State/Province of Quebec Artist in Residence Exchange Grant
• Inclusion in the “Introducing” series at the Roger Smith Hotel
• “Artivist” title at the 2018 Arts Mid-Hudson Awards

He has secured grants for community-engaged projects through Habitat for Artists and CHRCH Project Space, emphasizing participatory art development. His leadership at SUNY New Paltz’s sculpture program and CHRCH residency demonstrates sustained commitment to merging artistic practice with social activism and environmental stewardship.