A variety of color in the Ebony and Ivory exhibit at Village Arts on DP Road. Courtesy photo
Ebony and Ivory exhibit events at Village Arts. Courtesy photo
Exhibit entries above and framing supplies below at Village Arts on DP Road. Courtesy photo
BY KEN NEBEL
Owner
Village Arts
Village Arts is hosting a new exhibit, Ebony and Ivory, through June 22 to explore the attraction of seeming opposites. As New Mexicans get ready to stand in line and cast ballots, Village Arts is highlighting work that brings together opposing elements to create a harmonious whole. Twenty artists rose to the occasion with over 30 diverse pieces that range from photography to traditional paintings, fiber work, ceramics, beading, and collage.
Diversity and drama are both key outcomes that arise from the tensionartists worked into their submissions and titles like Wendy Alexander’s “Uncertainty Meets Hope and Finds Themselves” and Stephen Ledeaux’s “Soft Lightening” promise to take viewers on a journey of thresholds and contradictions. Themes like Leia Roach’s “Trinity” and Ann Greene’s “Trust” speak of finding common ground.
Several artists took on the stark blacks and whites of “Ebony and Ivory” to create visually arresting work like Fred Jones’ pop art inspired “City Girl” and Paulette Woodall’s “Mr. Darcy” fiber piece. The light and dark in these pieces somehow complement and mirror the contrast created in the oranges and blues of Jeanne Bowles’ “Cranes in Flight”. Similarly, the bright yellow orb in Cindy Boone’s “Day and Night” floats through a landscape of layered purple mesas and mountains. Eileen Patterson’s “Where the Land Meets the Sea” and Sue Ellen Hains’ “Balancing Act” echo this compositional theme by placing straight lines against rounded and organic forms. Batik artist, Gloria Sharp, uses repeated patterns to resolve and blend colors that would typically fight for dominance when placed side by side.
Tricks of the eye blend primarycolors in Seth Dustin’s gouache painting and the white spaces between black threads create shaded forms in Petra Fajardo’s counted crossstitch.
“This exhibit truly asks alot from the artists who are participating, and I’ve learned so much from how they’ve tackled the prompt” said Village Arts owner, Ken Nebel.
He hopes you’ll come in for someinspiration, to vote on your favorite pieces, or give an artist the ultimate compliment by making a piece your own!
Village Arts’ mission is to provide inspiration and tools for artists and hobbyists from start to finish, and custom archival framing for all the memories Los Alamos is busy creating! Village Arts is located at 216 DP Road and is open from 9 AM-4 PM M-F and 10 AM-4 PM Sat. Find out more on social media or www.villageartsframing.com.
Editor’s note: If you are one of the many new residents at The Bluffs on DP Road, you may want to stop by Village Arts to see the variety of items they offer for sale.