This work by Jeannie Gibson is among those in the ‘Building Blocks’ exhibit at Village Arts. Courtesy photo
Jennifer Jordan’s ‘Los Alamos Gate’ is on display at Village Arts. Courtesy photo
VILLAGE ARTS NEWS RELEASE
Village Arts hosts exhibit “Building Blocks” through mid May in remembrance of artist and architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who passed away 50 years ago and left a legacy that uniquely integrated architecture with the surrounding environment. Village Arts asked artists to see the “art” in architecture, and bring in work with a strong sense of place and artists responded to create a show that invites viewers to peek around street corners, scan skylines, and marvel at the man-made.
Some 25 artists from 9 northern New Mexico communities came together to build a vision that takes the viewer around the world, through time, and into physical, spiritual and mind centered realms. Painter, Wendy Alexander, allows the viewer a glimpse at the workings of the mind in her piece “Aphantasia House”, and Seth Dustin’s piece “Zen is for Everyone” has “patience” listed as it’s media.
Photographs of ancient settlements by Ted Greer and watercolors by E.E. Aicher of historic structures all reflect the passage of time and remind us of myriad untold stories held within their walls. Cindy Boone’s “Off the Grid” and “Down Mexico Way” beautifully describe a sense of place that is both historical and timeless, and feel supremely comfortable nestled into the surrounding landscape. This theme is taken up in the solid adobe walls painted in oils by Mary Miller, beaded by Ann Greene, photographed by Terrence Haanen, and quilted by Paulette Woodall.
Structures from around the world are a motif in the photography of John and Marcee Sarracino as well as Phyllisha Hamrick’s watercolored European streetscapes, and nothing comes quite as close to home as Jennifer Jordan’s iconic “Los Alamos Gate”.
Collage artist Sue Ellen Hains’s fanciful townscapes invite viewers to enter in and get to know the inhabitants, and the overlapping forms in Eileen Patterson’s “City Center” and “House of Stars” create endless exploration. Teresa McPherson’s abstracted paintings and Gloria Sharp’s “Elemental Dreams” break down objects into their fundamental forms and give them the floor. Claire Swinhoe’s quilted fabric cubes, Melissa Alexander’s knitted blocks, and Darla Thompson’s ceramic “Pueblo House” zoomed in on the materials they use as quite literal building blocks.
Village Arts owner, Ken Nebel, admitted: “When this exhibit was suggested to us and ended up receiving more votes than nearly any other suggestion, I was skeptical. I think I’ve personally struggled to find inspiration with themes like architecture in my own work, but I’ve been converted! The creativity of artists abstracting subjects, using history as a foundation, and letting their media shine through really forced me to think more broadly.”
Artist Melissa Montoya even reminds us that humans aren’t the only builders with her “Nesting Bird”.
Village Arts hopes you’ll come in for some inspiration, 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.
Entries in the ‘Building Blocks’ exhibit at Village Arts through mid-May. Courtesy photo
More artwork on display at Village Arts. Courtesy photo