In the Galleries - January 13 to February 19, 2012
Opening reception: Friday, January 13, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Robert Williams Gallery - Lori Horsic
"Blooming Color on a Winter Night"
"Blooming Color on a Winter Night" by Lori Horsic will be in the Robert R. Williams Gallery. The digital photography of landscapes and botanicals reflects her special interest in the natural world with an emphasis on floras.
The former Benton Harbor resident now lives in Red Wing, MN. After earning degrees in music education (Michigan State) and counseling (Winona State University), she taught at the high school level in Michigan and Wisconsin. She then worked as a mental health counselor in Red Wing for 20 years, retiring in 2005.
Since then she has professionally pursued her lifelong passion in photography. "The distinctive photographs of my work are created by applying computer generated special effects to my original photos, in order to produce unique interpretations of the image," Lori says in her artist statement. " I am inspired by the beauty of my current home…Mississippi River, country landscapes, and historic old barns. Back in my hometown, I am captivated by the natural wonder of the Michigan shoreline, dunes, and the majestic lighthouses."
Her work is available in a variety of galleries in Minnesota and Michigan, art fairs throughout the Midwest, and on display in universities, businesses, and private collections. She regularly participates in the Michiana Annual Arts Competition and has won numerous awards for her work.
Heartha Whitlow Gallery - Peyton Brown
"Self Taught: 3 Years of Artwork"
"Self Taught: 3 Years of Artwork" by Peyton Haggerty Brown of St. Joseph will be in the Heartha Whitlow Gallery.
"The work that I will be showing is work selected from these last three years and includes paintings (both acrylic and oil) as well as 'construction pieces', and a few true three dimensional sculptures," says Peyton. "My paintings are 'abstract' and my style is one of rich, vibrant color and invented shape. I describe my paintings as the results of exercising my spirit in paint. They show my emotional and mental reactions/thoughts that come about by being-in-the-world."
Some of Peyton's paintings have attached objects on their surfaces, which gives complexity to their depth. It was from this process that she began creating her construction pieces made from found objects.
"And because they hang from the wall, they are in a place somewhere between painting and sculpture. Just recently I began to create full sculptures and have been working on these a lot lately. They are made, again, from the many materials that I find around town both on the street and in dumpsters. So, they reclaim discarded 'stuff' in order to create works of art."
Riverwalk Gallery - Elise Weiler
"Materials"
"Materials" by Elise Weiler is about showing the various types of found objects and techniques that she uses in creating her art. The 2010 graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in arts education teaches high school art at Berrien Springs High School.
"I primarily use what most people would consider “junk” and I combine it to create a narrative or to send a specific message, for example about body image or literacy," says Elise. "However, many of the pieces for this show are about choices based on the viewer’s perspective. Although, I try to influence the viewer by using symbolism, color, and specific techniques; ultimately, the viewer’s own reality determines their understanding of my work."
She said her art is inspired by her own life experiences, the experiences of others, literature, and current world issues.
Next In the Galleries - February 25, 2012
All galleries - “Krasl School Art Show”
Opening reception: Saturday, February 25, 10am - 4pm