 Harding describes her painting as “abstract botanical art”. She said realistic botanical art is intriguing, but it wasn’t working for her, so she decided to loosen up for a more abstract effect. Harding has earned international acclaim for her watercolors and several of her works are part of the permanent collection in Rockford’s sister city, Borgholm, Sweden. She also won rave reviews for her 2012 one-woman show, “Regarding Flowers” at the Swedish-American Museum in Chicago. Karen Harding’s bright, vibrant works will be on display at the Beloit Art Center
throughout the month of December, and they will also be available for sale. The Art Center will be open Mondays 10-2, Tuesdays – Fridays, 10-5 and Saturdays 10-3 until Christmas. Next Friday evening the Beloit Art Center will kick off two new shows. In the Main Gallery the annual W.R.A.P. Show opens with 32 artists displaying a total of 60 pieces of their favorite new art. Meanwhile in the smaller Bell Gallery, Nancy Mayhew opens with a display and sale of her wonderful Mosaics. The kick-off reception will open Friday, November 1s t from 5-8 PM. Complimentary drinks and snacks will be available. The artists will be available for conversation about their art and a few will be available for comments and questions.
Nancy Mayhew will be offering a two-day workshop to be held on Nov. 5 and 12. With Nancy’s assistance, you will create a mosaic mirror on Nov 5th (3-4 hours) and return on Nov 12 to apply grout (1-2 hours). The fee for the class is $75 and materials are $45. It’s a wonderful opportunity to express your creativity and come away with a beautiful and functional wall mirror in a variety of shapes. The Wisconsin Regional Artist Program Show is exhibited in partnership with the University of Wisconsin. The amateur artists have paid a $30 registration to be a part of this show. The show will be judged on Nov 13t h by Annamarie Sawkins of Shorewood WI. Then at the end of the month all the artists are invited to partake in an artist workshop on Sat Nov 30t h from 9-1 (included in their registration) at which artist Karolyn Alexander will do a painting demonstration. It will be followed by the judge’s announcement of the awards and an art critique of the artist’s work. Those artists receiving the “state Event” award designation will be eligible to have their art move on to the WRAP State Event in 2020 in Wausau and be eligible to compete for over $4500 in prizes and recognition. The Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce a never-before shown exhibit is set for the October show at 520 E. Grand Ave. The public is invited to view the artwork from four area tattoo businesses beginning Friday, Oct. 4. The show will open with a reception from 5-8 p.m. and an artist talk set for 6 p.m. The work will remain on display during the month.
Several of the participating artists will show drawings, paintings and sculptures of their work in the Main Gallery. A variety of their pieces will be on exhibit from House of Lexx in Beloit; Tattalatte, Beloit; Affliction, Janesville and Alkali of Janesville. Beloit Art Center Program Director Jerry Sveum said the show is meant to draw in younger attendees as well as people from all generations. There is no charge for viewing the work. In the Bell Gallery, the BAC will present the work of artist H. Ward Sterett. On exhibit will be about 20 oil paintings, three water color pieces and six walnut sculptures. Much of the work has a Biblical theme reflecting the Book of Revelation, Sterett said.The BAC is open Monday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit info@beloitcenter.com or call 608-313-9083. The public is invited to view the diverse work of three photographers/artists in September at the Beloit Art Center. The three also have served as photo judges at the BAC.
Exhibiting are Cindy Vondran, Jay Mielke and Steve Bogdonas. The show will run through the end of September at 520 E. Grand Ave. Cindy Vondran credits her strong background in art and art history for helping her to become a better photographer and digital artist. “With a photographer’s eye, I acutely tune in to all the sights surrounding me, and I can see art even in the most mundane,” she said. “Classical photography and computer-generated art are now merging. I have learned most of my photoshop techniques from Sebastian Michaels and other teachers. Digital processing has become a major part of my daily life. “I am very excited to be a part of this brand new art movement, using the computer as a tool for this new medium. Things that were formerly impossible, can now be generated, and without the need for a large studio space in which to work. Everything that is necessary is contained within cyber space.” Cindy describes her work as highly varied. “Sometimes I like bold colors and sharp contrast, and other times I like simple lines and soft, hazy tones. Flowers are often a theme in my work because I like to capture their unique personality. The work of photo artist, Brooke Shaden, has been a major influence in my conceptual work.” She received her Bachelor of Fine Art degree in 2013. Steve Bogdonas worked as a machinist for almost 20 years before art and music took over his life. In 2001, he started a company called The Creative Group-image and Sound Production. Always experimenting in art as a child, he received formal training at the American Academy of Art in Chicago studying fundamentals/illustration/graphic design. This was followed up with studies at Palette and Chisel in Chicago for life drawing and oil painting. At the Winona School of Photography, he learned negative retouching and print enhancement. Steve also took classes in the following areas: auto cad detailer, graphic designer and technical illustrator. He also is a musician who has played in many bands and as a soloist for 46 years. Recently, he completed five original instrumental CDs and is presently working on a sixth one. Jay Mielke first started capturing photographs in the late 1980s as the Photography Editor of the Oakfield High School Yearbook. While his professional career in technology became the focus of his adult life, he never lost interest in photography. Eventually, as digital photography took off, his desire to explore this media grabbed hold once again. Jay began to photograph rural and city images looking for unique ways to capture everyday objects—and present them in a new and interesting way. Over time he dove into portraiture, event photography, commercial photography, and rodeo photography. He officially started his business, High Impact Creations LLC, in 2011. High Impact Creations LLC provides event photography services for corporate and educational institutions, professional headshots for executives, actors, and anyone else that is on the go. He captures modeling portfolios for new and established models, has helped many public figures by capturing images used in their print and digital promotions, and his commercial work touched many area billboards. The Beloit Art Center is open Monday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Beloit Art Center welcomes Waukesha Artist Group and Beloit Artist Connie Fry The Beloit Art Center will reveal one of its most diverse shows, featuring 12 artists in August. The exhibit opens Friday, Aug. 2 with a reception from 5-8 p.m. at the BAC. The event is open to the public and some of the artists will be available to talk about their work about 6 p.m. Eleven artists who are members of the Waukesha Creative Arts League will exhibit in the Main Gallery and one local artist will show her work in the smaller Bell Gallery. Below is a glimpse of what the artists had to say about their work. In the Main Gallery they are: Nancy Peterson - “I decided to leave commercial art for other work and for the last 15 years have devoted my creative time to fine art, painting in pastels and watercolors and playing a bit with photography.” Margaret Schumann - “Upon retirement, my goal was to get back into watercolor. Today, the joy I receive from painting is in the use of color, glazing and shape. The texture of the paper and the flow of the paint aid me in bringing depth into the work.” Jan Wood - “My subjects are usually birds but occasionally I paint portraits of humans and pets. My references come from family or friends’ photos and I often combine parts of several photos to tell the art story I envision.” Her media includes alcohol inks, egg tempera, acrylics, oil, watercolor and torn paper.” Jean Pascek - “I try to communicate the essence of the colors, patterns and shapes of the images that capture my attention and excite me. Most often the images are landscapes or animals. I like to have several paintings in process at the same time.” Holly Paulsen - “I grew up in western North Dakota, which probably explains the many landscapes, barns and nature paintings. Recently, I have been experimenting with acrylics using just a palette knife to create landscapes.” Jayne Cappelletti - “After I retired, I started taking formal classes in watercolor and acrylic painting until I felt accomplished enough to exhibit my work. I am currently taking classes in both Wauwatosa and Apache Junction, AZ. I come from a very creative family since both my parents painted and my sister and brother paint and exhibit their art.” Kathleen Hosch - “My floral subjects are inspired by the delight I receive when relaxing in my daughter’s gardens. I am also fascinated by the history of the lighthouses around the Great Lakes, and I have created a series of these lighthouses.” John Klug - “I choose to create my artwork using acrylic paint. I generally prefer to express my vision by presenting images in a realistic style. My subjects are mostly based on scenes and objects that appealed personally to me and inspired me to reproduce them as lasting artwork.” Janet Knapp - “Mostly, I use photographs as a source of my paintings, although occasionally I enjoy the experience of directly painting what I see outdoors. Mostly, I work with pastels or wax pastels, although I sometimes work in oils or acrylics.” Emma E Macari - As a registered Architect, she practiced Architecture in the states of Florida, Wisconsin and New York. Back in Wisconsin since 2007, she has enjoyed painting with watercolors. Favorite subjects include atmospheric scenes, flowers and the human figure. Vince Picciolo - Vince Picciolo has spent his career as an artist and designer in the advertising industry. When he’s not in his studio painting, he is playing drums for the Dixieland band. He enjoys travelling and seeking new inspiration for his paintings. Bell Gallery to feature local artist Connie Fry Connie Frye is a local artist who has for years participated in the Beloit Art Center’s Thursday night open artist group, as well as the Wisconsin Regional artist program, winning placement at the state show level. She is also active in the Beloit plein air artist group. |
