The Steckline Gallery at Newman University will close its 2010-11 season with a group exhibit of artworks called “SHE,” beginning with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29. The show will run through Friday, May 20.
An “Art for Lunch” featuring discussion of the works in the exhibit will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 in the gallery. A light lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The opening reception, “Art for Lunch,” and admission to the gallery are all free and open to the public.
“SHE” is the second in a pair of complimentary exhibits based on works by artists of different genders. The first exhibit, “HE,” ran from April 29 through May 20. “SHE,” which is curated by Newman Director of Visual Arts Mary Werner, hosts works by ten women artists: Genevieve Waller; Annie Strader, Shin-Hee Chin; Kristin Beal-DeGrandmont; Jana Durfee; Tabitha Bean; Sarah Kephart; Jennifer Larson; Tina Murano, and Lisa Rundstrom. The exhibit will consist of assemblage, sculpture, installation, painting and mixed media.
Werner said each artist brings to the exhibit a unique perspective.
“Genevieve Waller’s ‘jeweled fruit’ plays on the theme of women’s crafts in the 1970s and the work of Claes Oldenbrug’s bigger-than-life objects from daily life, while Lisa Rundstrom creates an installation of light,” Werner said.
“Jana Durfee works in paint deal with contradiction and fragmentation. Shin-Hee Chin and Jennifer Larson are working in mixed media with the ideas of nostalgia and ephemera, while Annie Strader continues to deal with the concept of longing. Sarah Kephart’s work deals with meditational motifs, and Kristin Beal-DeGrandmont grapples with the interplay between humans and their surroundings. All of the works are dazzling and thought-provoking, each in their own way.”
Werner added that, like the “HE” exhibit, the wide range of styles by the individual artists make for a diverse yet cohesive show. “SHE” also gives the Steckline Gallery an opportunity to showcase the works of many important artists in one place.
The Steckline Gallery is located inside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus, 3100 McCormick. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, call 316-942-4291, ext. 2199.
