Chester County Art Association (CCAA) is kicking off 2020 with some ambitious exhibitions this month. Two new group shows are being held at its main location in West Chester, an emerging artists’ group show is opening at the Henry Gallery at Penn State Great Valley in Malvern and a new solo show is at the Exton Studio Gallery in the Exton Mall.
If you are a fan of printmaking and have always wondered how they are made or what materials are used to make them, the Printmaking Invitational “Thinking in Reverse” is a must see show. Many of the artists have included information about their process and are sharing the steps they take to create a print along with images of their works in progress. It’s fascinating to see how varied the works are. You’ll see works that are etchings, aquatints, monotypes, lithographs, collographs, mixed media collages, woodcuts, clay monoprints and silk screening.
Sound confusing? Come to the Artists’ Panel this Thursday, January 16th and learn more. Five of the artists in the show will be discussing their printmaking methods as well as answering any audience questions. CCAA’s Executive Director, Wendy Kershner will moderate. The panel talk will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is a free public event. Kershner said this about planning the show, “We had an unexpected opening in our exhibit schedule, and as a printmaker I was personally interested in doing a print show. Printmaking is not widely known and often misunderstood, and there are so many different print mediums and techniques. We had the opportunity to include an educational component, and artists were encouraged to show their process with stages of prints and their printing plates.”
Twenty eight regional print artists are participating in the exhibition, including members of the Cheltenham Print Guild from the greater Philadelphia area. The initial feedback to the show has been terrific, and Kershner is hoping to do a CCAA print invitational every three years or so. Kershner is also excited to share that CCAA is expanding its printmaking program. Each term different print classes are offered as well as a print sampler workshop to provide an introduction to four different print mediums including letterpress and silkscreen. A four week sampler class, conducted by CCAA instructors Chris McKinney and Larry Will begins on February 8th. Folks can try their hands at etching, woodblock, bookbinding and marbleizing. To register, visit https://public.chestercountyarts.org/public/AdultClasses.faces.
“All Things in Motion” is a really fun group show on view in the smaller Huston gallery at CCAA's main location. It is amazing to see how differently artists chose to interpret the theme of motion
in their works. Excellence Awards were given to Alejandro Lemus for his piece “Lift”, Bob Hakun for his piece “Widowmaker” and Denise Vitollo for “Underwater Flight”. All three of these works will blow you away. A Studio Tour Award and four Honorable Mention Awards were also given out. “Thinking in Reverse” and “All Things in Motion” are on view through February 6th. While there, be sure to stop in the shop to see all the new gift art on display.
Every other year, CCAA organizes an emerging artists’ show at the Henry Gallery on Penn State’s Great Valley Campus in Malvern. This year’s show is titled “Fresh Perspectives” and features 10 emerging CCAA artists who are working with both traditional and unexpected materials. On view are works that are pushing the boundaries of clay, glass, printmaking and digital art techniques. There are paintings and drawings in oil, watercolor, pastel, charcoal and even coffee. It’s an exciting show.
"Fresh Perspectives" at the Henry Gallery PSGV opens with a reception this Wednesday, January 15th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the artists will be present. The show is on view through March 25th. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Catherine Carney is the featured artist this month at CCAA’s Exton Studio Gallery. She is exhibiting landscapes and portraits which masterfully capture the personalities of her models. This lovely show is on view through January 26th. While there, browse the gallery shop where new works have just come in from CCAA member artists. CCAA is located on the first floor near Boscov’s. Visit https://www.chestercountyarts.org/exhibitions.html for more information.
Other events worth checking out this week: In Philadelphia, see the “Wind Challenge” at Fleisher Memorial. This annual juried competition includes three challenges a year. Since its inception, the series has introduced regional contemporary art from over three hundred artists to a broad audience and has helped emerging artists advance their professional careers. Challenge 2 is on view till January 25th, 2020 and features Hanna Vogel, Candace Jensen and Meredith Sellers. For more details visit: https://fleisher.org/exhibitions/wind-challenge/
Whatever you do this week, support the arts!!
About Constance McBride
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
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