by Todd Betzold

It was a team challenge last night on Work Of Art: The Next Great Artist, as they took to the streets of Tribeca Park and bared it all for some of the park-goers. It was full of stress and intensity, as the teams struggled to get pieces together in only five hours. While she did well with selling her headdresses, Sarah Kabot put together a gallery piece not up to the liking of the judges and was sent home. Today we got an exclusive interview with Sarah as she talked about her experiences on Work Of Art.

Q: Todd, RealityWanted: What made you try out for Work Of Art?
A: Sarah: A friend of mine that is a curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland suggested I apply for the show. And because I never want to kick a crazy, potentially life altering experience in the teeth, I went through the process. Also, my father was quite ill at the time of casting, and passed away before taping. He always supported me in my endeavors, and encouraged me to take a chance on the adventure. I participated in the show to honor him.

Q: Todd, RealityWanted: On the show last night you seemed to have some regrets for the piece you created for the gallery. Do you still feel that way watching it back considering the time constraints in this challenge?
A: Sarah: Oh, yes. It was an awful piece, without a doubt. I succumbed to the carnival atmosphere of the street, made a bad decision initially that led to an avalanche of bad decisions, and a really mediocre piece. The piece I made has nothing to do with any of the other art I make, as you can see looking back over the projects that proceeded it on the competition, or if you look at my website. It was a fluke.

Q: Todd, RealityWanted: You mentioned your Dad last night on the show...what do you think he would be thinking about your time on Work Of Art?
A: Sarah: He would be proud, a little mystified at the antics, but proud.

Q: Todd, RealityWanted: Did any of the other artists stand out to you during the competition?
A: Sarah:Sitting in the "obsessive-compulsive's corner" with Dusty, Kymia, and Michelle was fantastic. I had a chance to watch as every piece was made, moment by moment getting more fantastic. The ridiculousness of each challenge was not lost on us - Kymia, Michelle and I spent 50% of our time doubled over, laughing. I was also close with Sara and Young. They were both compassionate thoughtful people, something one would not assume to find too much of in the land of reality t.v..

Q: Todd, RealityWanted: Would you ever do another reality show?
A: Sarah:Sure. Watch out "Survivor Man" - I am in training. Hah!

Q: Todd, RealityWanted: Now that you are off the show, are you rooting for any certain artist to win this season?
A: Sarah: Each person that is left has a profound reason for being there, aside from the notoriety that winning would bring. Young's father passed away the same month my father passed. We participated in the show for many of the same reasons. Maybe he will be able to to what I was not able to do.

Q: Todd, RealityWanted: What's next for Sarah?
A: Sarah: Since the show finished taping I have been busy. I have had work in two exhibitions with a catalog, and I am finishing up a couple of commissions. In the summer of 2012 I will have a residency at the Headlands Center for the Arts in California, and next fall I will be a Swing Space Resident through the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

Work Of Art: The Next Great Artist airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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