This work by Jeanie Gibson is among those in the “Building Blocks” exhibit at Village Arts. Courtesy photo
Jennifer Jordan’s The Gate of Los Alamos is on display at Village Arts. Courtesy photo
ARTS VILLAGE NEWS RELEASE
Village Arts is hosting a “Building Blocks” exhibit through mid-May in memory of artist and architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who died 50 years ago and left a legacy that uniquely integrates architecture with its surroundings. Village Arts asked artists to see the “art” in architecture and bring work with a strong sense of place, and the artists responded to create a show that invites viewers to peer around street corners, scan silhouettes and admire the man-made .
About 25 artists from 9 northern New Mexico communities came together to construct a vision that takes the viewer around the world, through time, and into the physical, spiritual and mental realms. Artist, Wendy Alexander, allows the viewer a glimpse into the workings of the mind in her piece, Aphantasia House, and Seth Dustin’s piece, Zen is for Everyone, has “patience” listed as a medium.
Photographs of ancient settlements by Ted Greer and watercolors by EE Eicher of historic structures reflect the passing of time and remind us of the countless untold stories held within their walls. Cindy Boone’s “Off the Grid” and “Down Mexico Way” beautifully describe the feeling of a place that is both historic and timeless, and feels extremely comfortable nestled in the surrounding landscape. This theme is taken up in the massive adobe walls painted in oils by Mary Miller, beaded by Ann Green, photographed by Terence Hanen and quilted by Paulette Woodall.
Structures from around the world are a motif in the photography of John and Marcy Saracino, as well as the watercolor European streetscapes of Philisha Hamrick, and nothing hits as close to home as Jennifer Jordan’s iconic Gate of Los Alamos.
Collage artist Sue Ellen Haynes’s whimsical cityscapes invite viewers to step in and get to know the residents, and the overlapping forms in Eileen Patterson’s Downtown and Star House create endless exploration. Teresa McPherson’s abstract paintings and Gloria Sharpe’s Elementary Dreams break objects down to their basic forms and give them a voice. Claire Swinhoe’s quilted fabrics, Melissa Alexander’s knitted blocks, and Darla Thompson’s ceramic “Pueblo House” increased the materials they used as quite literal building blocks.
Village Arts owner Ken Nebel admitted, “When this exhibit was pitched to us and ended up getting more votes than almost any other proposal, I was skeptical. I think I have personally struggled to find inspiration with subjects like architecture in my own work, but I was converted! The creativity of artists abstracting themes, using history as a foundation and letting their medium shine really forced me to think bigger.”
Artist Melissa Montoya even reminds us that humans aren’t the only builders with her Nesting Bird.
Village Arts hopes you’ll come for some inspiration, vote for your favorite pieces, or pay the ultimate compliment to an artist by making a piece your own! Village Arts’ mission is to provide inspiration and tools for artists and hobbyists from start to finish, as well as custom archival framing for all the memories Los Alamos is busy creating! Village Arts is located at 216 DP Road and is open 9am-4pm M-F and 10am-4pm Sat. Learn more on social media or at www.villageartsframing.com.
Entries in the ‘Building Blocks’ exhibition at Village Arts until mid-May. Courtesy photo
More artwork on display at Village Arts. Courtesy photo
