Green Machine
Giving a nod to an early Earth Day celebration combined with the green of St. Patrick's Day, the Associated Artists of Butler County will feature an exhibit opening Friday that packs an environmental punch.
Making a statement on all things green will be the “Make It Green” exhibit which will run through March 25 at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.
“This exhibit features more than 60 interesting sculptures, mixed media pieces and paintings,” said Paul Scanlon, AABC president. Prices for the works range from $25 to $3,000, he said.
Scanlon said the exhibit offers numerous entries from university students.
Having artist Kurt Weiser as the juror for the show helped pump up the number of entries as well.
“I think that having an internationally renowned artist as the juror for the exhibit drew in quite a few of the pieces,” Scanlon said.
Weiser is best known for the richness of color and finesse of detail exhibited in his china painted porcelain work. Born in Lansing, Mich., he earned a bachelor's in fine arts at the Kansas City Art Institute, then went on to earn a master's of fine arts at the University of Michigan.
He is a professor of ceramics at Arizona State University, where he works from his studio in Tempe, Ariz., and has exhibited his work in many solo exhibits around the country.
The show attracted works that are predominantly green, Scanlon said.
“We wanted creations made from lost and found articles turned into art related to ‘greening' the environment,” Scanlon explained.
A 300-pound found object is probably the heaviest of the exhibit, and a cardboard sculpture 4- to 5-feet high is most likely the tallest offering.
Not to be missed is “Going the Way of the Buffalo,” a mixed media piece by T.J. Sheehan which speaks to the subject of extinction.
“I Stand Alone” by Ruth Gallagher is an acrylic painting predominately in green that gives the viewer pause to ponder the plight of trees.
April Rettinger's “Dream,” a mixed media photo collage framed in wood, features a series of natural objects that create the letters in the word.
In other upcoming events at The Art Center, the Underground Gallery will be the site of a “Pop Art Show” on March 11, featuring art inspired from popular culture.
<B>WHO: </B>Associated Artists of Butler County<B>WHAT: </B>“Make it Green” exhibit<B>WHEN: </B>Reception at 7 p.m. Friday, with exhibit continuing through March 25. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and 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.aabcartcenter.com
