Friday, February 16, 2007

Press for Peers


Asking Why

By Dan Haugen
Downtown Journal, October 2006

A series of portraits show them as individuals, but who are they collectively?

Identity will be the theme of a discussion this month at the Stevens Square Center for the Arts, which is hosting a show by artists with mental illness.

“Peers” features portraits done in prints, collage, oil paintings and other styles by members of the ArtWorks program at Spectrum Community Mental Health.

What links the contributors, who range in experience from self-taught beginners to artists with master’s degrees in painting, is their mental illness, but should it?

Amy Rice, visual arts coordinator at the health center, said how mental health relates to their art is an ongoing conversation, one that will be explored at the forum.“I think especially among we artists there’s a tendency to label,” Rice said. “But sometimes, there’s this sense that that’s not all we are. We are artists first.”

Questions that come up include when and why it’s appropriate for artists to disclose their mental health status while applying for art shows.

The forum, on Thursday, Oct. 19, will address those issues, and include a conversation about various identity art, including all-women, gay or lesbian, or ethnic shows.

“We’re not opposed to disability-themed shows. We’re just asking, why do we need that?” Rice said.

Identity-themed shows can spotlight work that might be overlooked in the larger mainstream theme, but is there a point where labels are no longer needed?

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Peers Postcard



Peers: New Work by Spectrum ArtWorks Artists

Stevens Square Center for the Arts

October 4-29, 2006

Opening Reception October 4th from 5-9pm

"Idenity Art": A Forum

Thursday, October 19th 7-9 pm

All events are free and open to the public

Drew Don't Cut Off Your Ear






















Drew Don't Cut Off Your Ear
by Christi Furnas
Oil on Canvas
20" x 22"
2006
See more work by Christi here and here and here

Christi by Rosemary


Christi by Rosemary
Colored Pencil
2" x 3"
2006
See more art by Rosemary here

Inspiration from the Group


Inspiration from the Group
Mixed Media
22" x 24"
2006
See more work by Lynnda Jones here and here

Drew by Cornelius



















Drew by Cornelius Day
Oil Paste on paper
17" x 22"
2006
See more work by Cornelius Day here

Ernie Working by Christi


Ernie by Christi Furnas
Ink on Paper
17" x 22"
2006
See more work by Christi here and here and here

Rosemary by Christi and The Visitor by Rosemary




















The Visitor by Rosemary (left)
Pastel
10" x 12"
2006

Rosemary by Christi Furnas (right)
Ink on Paper
17" x 22"
2006

See more work by Rosemary here and by Christi here

Megumi by Rosemary


Megumi by Rosemary
Colored Pencil
2" x 3"
2006
see more work by Rosemary here and here

Audrey
























Self Portrait by Audrey Bernard
Releif Print and Acrylic
8" x 10"
2006

Audrey by Christi



Audrey Twice by Christi Furnas
Marker on Paper
17" x 22" each
2006
more work by Christi Furnas here

Christi by Ernie


Christi by Ernie Grossbach
Acrylic on Canvas
20" x 24"
2006
See more work by Ernie Grossbach here

Cornelius by Andrew
























Cornelius by Andrew Braunberger
Pastel on Canvas
28" x 36"
2006
See more work by Andrew Braunberger here

Ernie by Rosemary



















Ernie by Rosemary
Colored Pencil
2" x 3"
2006
See more work by Rosemary here

Rosemary by Ernie




















Rosemary by Ernie Grossbach
Acrylic on Canvas
20" x 24"
2006
See more work by Ernie Grossbach here