Beloit Art Center announces February Gallery Exhibits

     Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the February exhibits which will open with a First Friday Gallery Reception on February 2nd from 5-7pm. A gallery talk featuring the artists will be held at 6 pm. Both exhibits will be open through February 22. In recognition of Black History Month, please join us as we celebrate the work of Danny Burks and Cheria Giles.

    In the Sveum Gallery, we welcome Danny Burks, a longtime resident of Rockford, Illinois. His method of woodworking is called intarsia, which uses varied shapes, sizes, and species of wood fitted together to create mosaic-like pictures with an illusion of depth. The colors in the wood are all natural, not stained.. Always sketching as a youngster he remembers “clearly how excited I was when my mom
purchased me a tabletop easel. Both of my parents supported me in my art. My father was blind, so he could not see the pieces, but he could feel the wood.”

    In the Bell Gallery, welcome Cheria Giles. Cheria Cheria Gillespie, an artist based out of Beloit, has always been drawn to the arts. Some of her earliest memories are of drawing cartoon characters from her favorite TV shows. Most of her art has that fantastical element to it, reminiscent of how she saw the world when she was younger. More recently she has taken a dive into the digital art world.

    Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view featured art by Roberta Haakinson, and Bagels and More to view featured art by Jean Apgar.

     Beginning Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel six week class Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. February 27th through April 2nd. Students new to wheel throwing or wanting to brush up on their skills will begin to explore the world of throwing on the potter’s wheel in this introductory class. Students will learn glazing methods needed to finish their projects. The cost is $140 and clay and glaze will be provided.

    Intermediate Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel six week class Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. February 27th through April 2nd. This is an intermediate wheel throwing class. In order to enroll in this class, students must have taken a pottery class at Beloit Art Center within the last year, be able to confidently
center and raise a cylinder, and have prior approval from the instructor. The cost is $165 and clay and glaze will be provided.
   
    Come Make Ceramic Turtles! This one day class will be held on Saturday February 24th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Instructor Rebecca Rehpohl will lead the class in making pinch pot turtles. The cost is $40 and includes glazing and firing.

     Hand Building Pottery Class six week class Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. February 29th through April 4th. Students will explore the world of handbuilding with clay by examining fundamental techniques including pinch, coil, and slab. All skill levels are welcome. The cost is $165 and clay and glaze will be provided. Students will need to provide their own tools, apron, and hand towel. 
    
     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.