ARTS / EVENTS CALENDAR

CENTER HOURS: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. ARTISAN CAFÉ: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For high-resolution images contact Gwen Heffner at gwen.heffner@ky.gov ● 859-985-5448, Ext. 230

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LOBBY EXHIBIT

Now through October 31, 2018

This exhibit features mixed media artist Ray Papka whose works combine assemblage, encaustic painting, use of books as substrates and a wide array of intricate embellishments. Papka generates layers of information and mystery from his observations, events and the influence of science in his life.

With degrees in zoology, chemistry, anatomy and neuroscience, Papka brings the discipline of science and his ability to hone in on a subject directly to his artwork. Beginning with an idea, he selects objects from his vast collection and builds upon this idea joining found items, layers of wax, pigment and imagery.

“Synthesis” by Ray Papka

GALLERY EXHIBITION

September 9, 2018 – February 28, 2019

The Kentucky Artisan Center Presents “Innovators: Stephen Rolfe Powell & Arturo Alonzo Sandoval” to recognize two internationally known Kentucky Artists who have been innovators in their respective fields. Both Powell and Sandoval have expanded boundaries by utilizing unusual materials and pushing their mediums into new and exciting formats.

Photos, left to right: Stephen Rolfe Powell’s self-supporting wall of glass ”Frazzled Bombastic Swoosher”; Wall installation titled, “Pattern Fusion No. 10: Motherboard I” by Arturo Alonzo Sandoval

Powell, who is known for his large and intricately patterned and colorful blown glass, has recently begun to arrange and fuse colorful sliced murrini onto a large flat canvas of glass. After the color fuses, he slumps the entire piece into a concave freestanding wall of color. These new glass walls called “Zoomers” take Powell’s work into the realm of architecture. Powell’s blown glass is also adorned with intricate murrini colors and patterns. His new blown glass vessels twist and turn - with necks evolved to support the visually floating forms.

Sandoval is known for weaving with a wide variety of unusual materials. His large woven works are made from recycled auto industry Mylar, recycled library 35 mm microfilm, netting, Holographic film, Pellon and numerous other industrial materials. Sandoval’s background is both Hispanic and Native American and provides clues into his interest in the fiber arts. His mother wove countless blankets and the men on his paternal grandmother’s side wove colonial Spanish textiles. While his family wove textiles, Sandoval’s works are monumental in size. His subject matter reflects current social and cultural themes and the works in this exhibit are his reflection on the world of technology.

A meet-the-artists reception will be held Sunday, Sept. 9 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Center. The exhibit, which runs through February 28, 2019, features new works, biographies, photos and videos about the artists.

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DEMONSTRATIONS – EVENTS

Sept. 1– Saturday Demonstration

On Saturday, Sept. 1, Robert Berger, of Berea, will demonstrate his watercolor techniques from 10:30 to 3:30 at the Kentucky Artisan Center.

A former United States Marine, graduate of the University of Richmond and retired insurance executive, Bob Berger developed his talent of painting with watercolors by taking workshops and by simply painting. Moving to Berea in 2006, Berger says intricate subjects challenge him.

In his studio in Old Town Berea, Berger can be found painting a variety of subjects including historic buildings, the cosmos and especially trains. Berger has a special fascination for trains and his studio is just a stone’s throw from the railroad tracks that go through Berea.

Photos, left to right: Robert Berger demonstrating at the Center; “L & N - No. 779” a watercolor painting by Robert Berger

Sept. 8 – Saturday Demonstration

On Saturday, Sept. 8, Shirley Jeter, of Lexington, will demonstrate watercolor painting at the Kentucky Artisan Center from 10:30 to 3:30.

Jeter grew up in a rural area outside of Louisville, KY where she developed a love of nature and art. These two interests led her to a degree in art from the University of Kentucky. She exhibited her work at art fairs and eventually turned exclusively to watercolors.

Jeter is well known for her floral paintings, but she also paints landscapes, buildings, portraits and still life. She has taught classes in watercolor for over 10 years and when not painting on site she paints from her own photographs. Her paintings utilize strong color while maximizing the whiteness of the paper.

Photos, left to right: Shirley Jeter demonstrates watercolor painting at the Kentucky Artisan Center; “4th of July” porch painting by Jeter; “Miniature Orchids” watercolor painting by Jeter

Sept. 15 – Saturday Demonstration

On Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10:30 to 3:30, three members of the Berea Welcome Center Carvers will be on hand to demonstrate their individual carving techniques and talk with visitors. These Central-Kentucky artisans demonstrate on the third Saturday of every month at the Kentucky Artisan Center.

Photos, left to right: “Carved pin by Gene Barnes; Chip carved wooden tiles by Will Bondurant

Sept. 22 – Saturday Demonstration

On Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10:30 to 3:30, Louisville artist Elizabeth Foley, will demonstrate relief printmaking from birch wood and linoleum blocks.

Foley received a BFA in graphic design from Washington University and her MFA in printmaking and M.Ed. in secondary art education from Ohio University. She has been exhibiting artwork consistently for fifteen years and has taught art for the past nineteen years. She recently moved to Louisville where she now has a studio.

Foley is fascinated with pattern and enjoys the spontaneous methods involved with relief printmaking. She often repeats different patterns in a variety of colors within the same print.

She states, “I am obsessed with circles and I see them everywhere. They are in the potholes in the Louisville streets, the cliff dwellings in New Mexico, and the ironwork in Barcelona, Spain.”

Relief prints by Liz Foley

Sept. 29 – Saturday Demonstration

On Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10:30 to 3:30, Lexington artist Marianna McDonald will demonstrate her pastel painting techniques from 10:30 to 3:30 at the Center.

McDonald started painting in oils as a teenager and her summers were spent on a five-generation family farm in Randolph County, WV, where she fell in love with the land by walking its hillsides and valleys.

When asked why she prefers painting landscapes Marianna responds, “As long as I can remember, I’ve loved the land, especially open areas with little interference of human activity. These places represent unrestricted freedom and solitude. By emphasizing light, shadow, and expressive color with pastels, I hope to give the viewer the experience of connecting with these places.”

McDonald received her BS degree in art with an emphasis in painting and graphic design from Murray State University. After working for the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper

for 14 years, she left in 2001 to become a full-time artist.

McDonald is well known throughout the region for her dramatic and colorful works. She generally paints plein-air (outside and on-site), and is often seen at work creating her paintings on the grounds and in the surrounding fields of Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, where she has a studio.

Photo: Marianna McDonald demonstrates at the Kentucky Artisan Center; “Mercer County Farm” a pastel in the exhibit Center’s exhibit “Show & Tell” by Marianna McDonald