Getting wild in Butler
If you are wondering where the wild things are, you can hike over to The Art Center on Main Street for a trek through the 18th annual Nature and Wildlife Art Exhibit, which opens at 7 p.m. Friday.
Each year the show features art in a variety of media centered on all aspects of nature. It is the culmination of both beauty and beasts, and the accompanying galleries this year include artwork featuring human nature as well.
A pre-opening nature event exploring the unique features and special characteristics of birds will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Kelly Klasnick, the Moraine State Park naturalist, will be on hand for an interactive program to talk about a variety of feathered friends.
The main exhibit features paintings, sculpture, photographs and mixed media pieces. In addition to the variety of works by local artists, several featured artists will have their work displayed as well. Area artist Bill Secunda will have several pieces in the main gallery.
Also in the nature show, Ellwood City resident George Shean will showcase 10 of his Pennsylvania Slate etchings. They feature some cool cats — from house cats to lions. Shean is a multimedia artist and uses models for his etchings. His works range in price from $100 to $500.
In the Member's Gallery, Elouise Woodward of Harrisville will exhibit her acrylic painting/pastel series titled "Expressions in Light."
The collection is 22 medium scale works depicting various landscapes and animals in impressionistic style. Works for sale range in price from $40 to $135.
"I have been painting since I was a child," Woodward said.
"I have memories of drawing with my parents. My father enjoyed painting landscapes and animals. My mother liked sketching people," she explained.
Woodward was first introduced to The Art Center by her caseworker who saw her works. In 2007 the exhibit "We're All Artists," a juried group show of inspirational art, was presented at The Art Center to increase public awareness about artists who experience mental, physical and developmental conditions.
"I entered, became a member and began my studies in art," Woodward said.
Opening Friday in the Mezzanine gallery will be an exhibit titled "Mature Content, Viewer Discretion Is Advised." The male nude as an art form is explored and featured by watercolorist Ken Daugherty of Neshannock.
Daugherty worked primarily with female models until he came across a book by well-known artist John Singer Sargent.
"At the turn of the century, any portrayal of a male nude was considered pornographic so Sargent's male nudes remained hidden for nearly a century," Daugherty said.
Apparently Sargent's sisters kept the sketches, and a book was published 100 years later.
"I would hope that we have now reached a point where no one is offended by an honest, artistic representation of the nude male figure," Daugherty added.
Daugherty said the differences in the male and female form are accentuated.
"The differences were apparent immediately; hands and shoulders seemed enormous, necks and collarbones, so appealing on female models were barely noticeable, the beautiful curves and softness of the female form was totally absent," he explained.
Daugherty's 24 watercolor representations will be on display and for sale in the $300 range. Preliminary pencil sketches are available for $25.
These exhibits continue through Sept. 26.
<B>WHO: </B>Associated Artists of Butler County<B>WHAT: </B>18th annual Nature and Wildlife Art Exhibit<B>WHEN: </B>Opens with reception from 7 to 9 p.m. p.m. Friday. Exhibit continues through Sept. 26. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays<B>WHERE: </B>The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.<B>ADMISSION: </B>Free<B>INFORMATION: </B>724-283-6922 or www.butlerartcenter.net
