Brandywine Art Guide: Bridging generations

While the world outside is monochromatic — finally, after much too long a stretch of no snow in the Brandywine Valley — the Corner Art Collective is working on bringing a riot of color to their bright white walls. Their new exhibition, aptly titled “THE BIG SHOW,” brings together local artists with large-scale artworks that bridge generations, genres, and styles.

The Corner Art Collective was opened by artists Rob DiTeodoro and Joshua Ruggeri to create a new space that celebrates the diversity of art and artists in the region.

“It showcases how much talent there is in the local art scene,” said DiTeodoro. As they were unwrapping the large artworks and placing them around the gallery, the excitement about the upcoming show kept rising. “Everyone produces on such a high level,” he added.

DiTeodoro and Ruggeri have been part of the local art scene for many years, showing in other spaces and sharing their works online. Being curators is new to them both, and they are learning many skills along the way. “It is an art in itself to curate a show,” said Ruggeri. “We have to let our guard down and view the work in ways that serve the space.” This show, in particular, was interesting, since the call for artists was by size rather than theme. “I love the diversity of it,” he said, “there is a piece in a post-WWII style, then other pieces which are drastically contemporary.”

Shows like this give artists a chance to show audiences other styles than what they may be known for, as well as stretch their skills in terms of both work and scale.

For example, David Katz, a mainstay of the local art scene known for his familiar scenes and sky paintings, has a dramatically different work in this exhibition. “I was doing only Pop Art before becoming the Sky Painter so this exhibit was perfect,” Katz said. “I love this new gallery,” he added, noting that “it is inclusive,” which is a frequent refrain by artists and fans of the Collective alike.

The Relationships No One Knows You're In by Amber Stetler

Then there is Amber Stetler. “There is often the impression that female artists create small works. I jumped at the opportunity to show that females can create large too.” Her energetic piece needed scale to encompass even larger emotions.

“The subject of my piece was…a very big and important theme in my life. So big in fact that the only way I knew how to handle the emotion of it was to creatively funnel that energy into something big.”

Many of the participating artists used the call to explore those larger-than-life ideas.

“A big show needs big questions,” said Brandon McNeill, who is showing a collaborative endeavor with Xander Keith Hearns. “[I] face my critical critique on this clinical culture. Between gods, shapeshifters, planes and elixirs, this 2d bound configuration of the intangible will leave you wondering ‘What To Say!’”

Even artists who typically work on a large scale, such as Law Blank, delved deep for this exhibition. “Thematically, nothing is BIGGER than space and our individual quest for identity,” said Blank. “My work primarily deals with identity, both individual and global. Our place in the world, the universe, is so fleeting and minuscule, it amazes me how precious and all-encompassing our drive/search for our meaning is.”

The community of the Corner Art Collective has inspired artists such as Nick Myers, who said, “The piece I chose felt so appropriate because it was inspired by conversations with many of the same people who are also in this show.” It reflects those interactions: “As artists, we are often expected to be outgoing and sociable when in reality the art is what does the talking for us.”

Bobby Calhoun, who uses the moniker Danger Squad for his artwork, points out that art is essentially a personal experience. “The definition of art varies from person to person,” he said. “Any artist who has a piece hanging in this exhibit has put their time and energy into it.” The audience is part of the gallery experience, as necessary as the art itself. “Someone walking in doesn’t have to like or love someone’s art, but just respect the effort that went into it.” That is the beauty of exhibitions like this that traverse mediums, styles, and subjects—if a piece isn’t your cup of tea, another is just a few steps away.

Expectations are being both subverted and raised by the artists and galleries of the Brandywine Valley. “I hope visitors take away that there is something different going on in West Chester that is providing a fresh take on what local art can be and look like,” said the artist who paints as vuLoN. “The Corner is welcome to everyone of all ages and styles and is a great place to discover them.”

DiTeodoro and Ruggeri had concerns about how their new gallery would be received, but the support has been overwhelming. “Finding the balance in representation is critical from a cultural standpoint, as well as the knowledge that change is inevitable,” said Blank. “The Corner Art Collective embraces that changing landscape and provides a valuable service to the artist, collectors, and residents of the region.”

Rachel Romano, a respected local artist for many decades, noted, “The creative cycles we go through, our individual stories, which in many cases are timeless and ageless. We want people to connect to something that will bring deeper meaning to own their story.”

“THE BIG SHOW” opens Jan. 20 with a reception from 4 to 8 p.m. The Corner Art Collective is located at 341 South Matlack Street, West Chester. More information can be found on their social media at instagram.com/thecornerwc.

About Victoria Rose

Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.