In the light of gratitude
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| My Bio, by Patricia Zinsmeister Parker |
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| Sleep It Off, by Joe Ostrowske |
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| Connections of Belonging, by Mary Crane Nutter |
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| Untitled, by Susan Wilkof |
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| Crying in the Light/Illuminated Distress, by Jo Westfall |
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| Embers, by Heather Bullach |
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| Eclipse, by Emily Orsich |
By Tom Wachunas
“The substance of painting is light.” – Andre Derain
“In nature, light creates the color. In the picture,
color creates the light.” – Hans Hofmann
“To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.” - Robert Schumann
EXHIBIT: Exploring Light and Darkness – group show featuring
work by Emily Orsich, Heather Bullach, Jo Westfall, Joe Ostrowske,Mary Crane
Nutter, Patricia Zinsmeister Parker, and Susan Wilkof / at Strauss Studios,
236 Walnut Ave. NE, downtown Canton, Ohio/ Viewing hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm,
Sat 12 – 5pm – Closing reception on Friday June 7, 6-9pm
https://www.facebook.com/jsfurnituredesign/
Let me cut to the
chase. As of this writing, the closing reception for this provocative exhibit
is just a few hours away - FRIDAY JUNE 7, 6 – 9p.m. (though I’ve been informed
that unsold works will remain on view through June 14).
With this way-too-late
(and short) blog post, beyond commending the remarkable works by all seven
artists in this exhibit (most of whom I’ve written about in the past, and some
quite extensively), I simply want to go on record as thanking and praising
Strauss Studios for the ever-consistent excellence of the contemporary art presented
in all its exhibits.
This venue is an inspiring
and impactful resource, indeed a treasure, as it continues to provide vital formal
and conceptual depth to Canton’s cultural profile. What resonates most
personally for me is its ongoing affirmation of what I like to call the ethos
of life enrichment through art. It’s an active continuum of call and response. Art
calls us all – makers and viewers alike - to be engaged with the light of being
alive. If Strauss Studios isn’t currently on your list of local must-see art destinations,
cut to the chase and make it so.
