Beloit Art Center Announces June Gallery Exhibits

Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the June exhibits which will open with a First Friday Gallery Reception on June 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  A gallery talk featuring the artists will be held at 6:00 p.m.  Both exhibits will be open through June 27th. Thank you to our June show sponsor, 5Bar, for their generous support of this exhibit. The Los Alacranes food truck will be at this First Friday reception.
    
    In the Sveum Gallery, MIDWEST DARKNESS will be featured. Dark Art is an umbrella term used to describe a large catalog of material, including, but not limited to, the dark side of the creative process: skulls, demons, and otherworldly creatures. It also features biomechanical, bioorganic, portraits, and impossibly alien-type landscapes, to name a few. As far as the medium of work represented by the eleven artists in this exhibit, it is a mixed bag from traditional mediums like paint and photography to organic materials. JR Broshous, Adem Redzepi, Casey Ball, Ian Currey, Matt Lombard, Matthew Wajek, Paul Lesch, Riley Hill, W. Hagskins, Stonevein Studio, and Rotted Dystopia are the featured artists. 

As artists of the dark, we do not always work with darker subject matter. But we find interest in dark art due to past hardships or loss, or we find it interesting and intrigued by it. We feel this form of expression through dark art and surrealism shines a positive light through darker images. People tend to want to see art as pretty, something you see on the walls of a doctor's office or in fancy restaurants. We want to show the community that dark art can be thoughtful and positive and that the people who create it are not dark by nature but very enlightened people who dare to use their craft and talents to provoke thought. 

A NOTE TO PATRONS: We acknowledge that some of the images presented in the MIDWEST DARKNESS Exhibition may not be suitable for all audiences and may evoke discomfort. However, the Art Center is committed to providing a platform for diverse forms of artistic expression within our community. We believe in giving a voice to many types of art and recognize that art can provoke thought, dialogue, and reflection. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to engage with the works in a manner that respects both the artists and your own comfort levels.

​In the Bell Gallery, works by Paul Kopp will be on display. Kopp holds an MFA in poetry from Vermont College of Fine Arts. His work was selected for the 2022 Beloit and Vicinity Show at the Wright Museum of Art at Beloit College, has been included in group shows at Side Street Arts and Beloit Art Center, and is represented in private collections throughout the United States. He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and two rescue dogs.

Looking for more art in the community? Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view featured art by Greg LaMont, and Bagels and More to view featured art by Alice Blue. Member Artists Samantha Severson, Kendra Kett, and Becky Driscoll will have their works displayed in the Members Gallery at the Beloit Art Center.

    Beginner Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel will be held Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. from June 4th through July 16th (no class the week of July 4th). Students new to wheel throwing or wanting to brush up their skills will begin to explore the world of throwing on the potter’s wheel. Students will learn glazing methods needed to finish their unique pots. This class is taught by Rebecca Rehpohl. The $140 cost includes clay and glaze. Students will need to provide their own tools, apron, and hand towel. Sets of pottery tools are available for purchase in the BAC Gift Shop. Class size is limited to 7 students, age 17+.

    Hand Building Pottery Class will be held Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. from June 6th through July 18th (no class the week of July 4th). Students will explore the world of handbuilding with clay. We will examine fundamental construction strategies including pinch, coil, and slab in this six-week class. Students will learn glazing methods needed to finish their unique pots. This class is taught by Rebecca Rehpohl. All skill levels are welcome. Creativity will be encouraged. The $165 cost includes clay and glaze.  Students will need to provide their own tools, apron, and hand towel. Sets of pottery tools are available for purchase in the BAC Gift Shop. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited to 8 students, ages 17+.

Fundamentals of Acrylic Painting with artist David Ruhe, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, starts June 15th and runs through July 27th (no class on July 6th). In this class designed for beginners to intermediate artists, David will guide participants through creating artwork in acrylic. In addition to the class cost, participants will need to purchase their supplies including a sketchbook, basic paints, brushes, and canvas. 

Mosaic Mania Workshop will be held Tuesdays June 18th through July 23rd from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Learn how to create beautiful mosaic pieces in this fun six-week class. Each week Nancy Mayhew will guide you in how to design, cut, and place pieces for the project of your choice. The $150 fee covers use of classroom, cutting tools, grinding wheels, and instruction. Beginners are welcome and will be guided on the supplies to buy. 

Qigong in the Art Gallery with Nancy Mayhew, will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. beginning April 29th. Qigong is traditional Chinese medicine and involves using exercise to optimize energy with the mind, body, and spirit to improve and maintain health and well-being. The cost is $50 for a 6-session punchcard - drop in when it works best for your schedule.

Handbuilding Pottery for Teens ages 13 to 18, starts Tuesday July 29th and runs through August 1st from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Students will learn the techniques of hand-building with clay instructor Rebecca Rehpohl. The cost is $120 and clay, glaze, and tools will be provided. Please bring an apron and a hand towel. Class is limited to 8 students. 

Pottery Wheel for Teens ages 13 to 18, runs from August 12th to 15th, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. In this introductory class, students will explore the world of throwing on the potter’s wheel with instructor Rebecca Rehpohl. The cost is $120 and clay, glaze, and tools will be provided. Please bring an apron and a hand towel. Class is limited to 7 students. 

    Visit https://www.beloitartcenter.com/classes--events for more information and to register for classes. 

Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit.  The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery and gift shop hours are Monday 10 am – 2 pm, Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm.