Opening Reception: Friday June 7, 5:30 – 8:00pm.

The artists are:  Tracey Adams, Binnie Birstein, David A. Clark, Linda Cordner, Milisa Galazzi, Jane Guthridge, Lynette Haggard, Howard Hersh, Deborah Kapoor, Joanne Mattera, Catherine Nash, Nancy Natale, Lisa Pressman, Lynda Ray, Marybeth Rothman, Toby Sisson, Gregory Wright

A catalog has been produced for the exhibition which features statements from the artists focused on the content, narrative, expressive gesture or other references outside the work and not primarily on the process or medium. Available from the link below.

The Elephant in the Room for this exhibition is wax, the less obvious connection between the many very different themes, content and aesthetics expressed by each artist. The artists chosen challenge the very definition of traditional encaustic painting by cutting, collaging, layering, using photographic imagery and ingeniously re-interpreting the medium itself. The connection between various artists to the luminescent, semi-transparent beeswax, resin and pigment medium known for centuries for its ability to present glowing, rich color is revealed through examples that apply that color to many different tasks. Landscapes and abstract works use subtle coloration while signage inspired designs and frenetic linear works employ color for more energetic purposes. All in all the versatility of a classic material is updated and investigated in this group exhibition of contemporary artists from around the country.

Curated by Linda Cordner and James Hull

Media sponsor:

Saturday, May 11 at Noon

150×150 Schedule:

Opening Preview Reception:
First Friday, May 3, 5:30-8:30pm

Public Previews:

Saturday, May 4, 12-4pm
Sunday, May 5, 12-6pm (SoWa Artwalk)
Friday May 10, 12-4pm

Mad Dash:
Saturday, May 11, Noon

150 works of art for $150 each!

Please come to the public previews first to get a good look at all the amazing artwork by well-known local artists. The Saturday event is a race for art, and artwork can be purchased by being the first one to grab the tag beside the work of art that you choose – if the tag is gone move on to your NEXT choice! (Artwork can be purchased by cash or check only – sorry, no Credit or Debit cards. Payment is made at time of purchase.) Doors open at Noon on May 11 – be there on time for the best selection.

All artwork is donated to benefit the exhibition program at the Laconia Gallery, a 501(c)3 non-profit exhibition space.

Your purchased artwork can be picked up Sat & Sun, May 18 & 19, 12-4pm.

Thanks to all who participated in the dash last year! See a video here

Info for Participating Artists

Donating 2013 Artists (as of 5/10):

Andrew Mowbray

Ann Fristoe Stewart

Ariel Freiberg

Arthur Henderson

Audrey Goldstein

Bartek Walicki

Brian Bishop

Brian Zink

Candice Smith Corby

Cathy Wysocki

Cristi Rinklin

Cyrille Conan

Cynthia Kozdeba

Dana Clancy

Danielle Krcmar

David Curcio

Deborah Kamy Hull

Donna Veverka

Ellen Rich

Ellen Wetmore

Emily Knarr

Gabrielle Rossmer

Gideon Bok

Gregory Waldo

Heather McGrath

Heidi Whitman

Helena Wurzel

Ilona Anderson

Isabel Riley

James Hull

Jason Chase

Jeff Hull

Joan Resnikoff

Joe Ferraro

John Axon

John Guthrie

Kate True

Kathleen O’Hara

Kayla Angelini

Laura Evans

Liette Marcil

Lina Maria Giraldo

Linda Cordner

Lisa Costanzo

Maggie Connors

Meryl Blinder

Michele Mercaldo

Nataliya Bregel

Paris Visone

Patty Adams

Robert Rovenolt

Ruth Daniels

Sarah Slavick

Shane Godfrey

Spencer James

Stephanie Chubbuck

Steve Novick

Steven Duede

Susan Jane Belton

Susan Scott

Tory Fair

Troll

Wayne Hopkins

Media Sponsor:

These two outstanding MFA candidates were selected for exhibition by James Hull and will be exhibited in context with several other SMFA Thesis exhibitions at other SoWa Art Galleries in a coordinated event.

Molly Segal: If You Jump, I’ll Jump 

The paintings in If You Jump, I’ll Jump explore the psychological ambiguities in the friendships of young women as they navigate a sometimes dangerous world. This work uses relationships I had in junior high and high school as a point of investigation into ideas about intimacy, desire, fear and recklessness in young women. Of particular interest is the deep level of commitment girls this age are capable of and the ways they can be at once vulnerable and bold in the face of the unknown.

My references come from a combination of found video stills and collaborations with other women to “restage” important moments from my adolescence. I find the painting process seductive because it has something to do with controlling chaos. I work quickly and impulsively and approach these paintings with a bravado, confidence and fear that seem fitting for the subject matter. Blurred boundaries and emotional entanglements are emphasized by an atmospheric uncertainty and a sense that the viewer is encroaching into a sacred and private space.
www.mollysegal.com

Julia Cseko: Aftermath

The Hybrid series sculptures are inter plays between the micro/macro politics in contemporary life. Ranging from the social gaps between nations and societies and military squanders, to the micro individual wants and biological human needs, such as: eating, forming a family unit and the battlefields of love and sexual desire. These issues haunt us like sea monster’s might have haunted early explorers’ minds.

There is something humorous in playing with the human scale, transporting stern symbols of macro social constructs to the proportions of children’s toys. A general overlook of human behavior will give us the macro politics of the world order, a closer look however, will give us the micro politics of life, that involve mostly: living life well and fully, having a few laughs, falling in love and being happy. In the recent sculptures from the Hybrid series, objects and bodies are miniaturized and made of soft boldly colored fabric.

Complex issues such as warfare or social layers in society are transported to the a doll size scale, made less overpowering and easier to wrap ideas around. Seeing the world as a child, at a stage of development in which opinions are still being formed and values instilled, encourages the viewer to doubt a deeply set belief of impotence towards macro politics. Favoring a more creative and less fatalistic approach.

The viewer is invited to question the importance and value that some social symbols take up in our lives. Fantasy momentarily removes the dis-proportionally frightening sense of risk and responsibility involved in taking action and decision making. The idea in these pieces is to make space for one’s mind to move freely over what would seem too vast or complex to be given attention in a daily basis. The visual downsizing and softening in these sculptures is an empowerment strategy, inviting one’s thought’s into these complex issues without the intimidation of the “life size” or “bigger than life” problems.
www.juliacseko.com

Opening reception: Friday March 1, 5:30-8:00pm

Exhibit runs March 1 – 24, 2013

Gallery hours: Fri – Sun 12-4pm

Laconia Gallery is pleased to present two outstanding Fine Arts Majors from The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University for their BFA senior thesis exhibition.

Danielle Kelly and Gary LaPointe work directly with common materials as familiar outside of the art world as they are to generations of artists. These natural objects and construction materials are elegantly arranged, balanced or organized into new constellations that use equal measures of restraint and obsessive organization to reveal intensity and weight in the final installation.  In addition to large scale sculptural installations a series of prints by each artist will be exhibited as well as free standing and wall related sculptures.

Each artist has a distinct gesture and magnitude, but both have a mature grasp of the formal aspects they illuminate through use of wall, floor and overall space of the gallery.

Organized by Michael David and James Hull

Please join us:

Sunday, Feb. 10
9:30am-noon : Coffee Salon with crumpets and conversation about art.
11am-2pm : Valentine card Crafter-noon. Bring your creativity and valentine card list to the gallery to make cards for your loved ones.

Sunday, Feb 17
9:30am-noon : Coffee Salon with crumpets and conversation about art.
4-6pm : Meet and greet social with the gallery staff. Come and learn about Laconia Gallery and how you can become involved.

View photos from last years Art Salon Events.