Endless Summer: A Group Exhibition August 2-30, 2014 July 25 2014

Endless Summer

Opening reception: Saturday, August 2, 4-7pm
On exhibit: August 2-30, 2014

New Smyrna Beach, FL ––Arts on Douglas announces the opening of a themed group exhibition, Endless Summer. This is the second incarnation of Endless Summer, curated by Gallery Director, Meghan Martin. The exhibition features a selection of artworks by 18 established artists who interpret their summer ideals, memories or perceptions of the summer season. The participating artists include Marc Barrett, Hope Barton, Marilyn Catlow, Mollie Doctrow, René Guerin, Bryce Hammond, Martha Lent, Kathy Lundberg, Larry Moore, Christine Peloquin, Audrey Phillips, Chris Robb/CRSA, Mary Schimpff Webb, Jo Sinclair, Wendy Tatter, Trish Thompson, Barbara Umbel, and Barbara Wagner. The exhibition will be on view from August 2 through August 30, 2014 with an opening reception on Saturday, August 2 from 4-7 pm.

"The decision to revisit the summer themed exhibition was prompted by the positive reception of last year’s show. This year, I've hand-selected the artists and artwork for the exhibit. Viewers can expect similarly diverse and playful interpretations of the summer theme and encounter new ones. For some, the summer season is nostalgic, filled with memories of past experiences; for others, summer is an expressive panorama of color, and still, for others the summer is lighthearted fun at the beach or on a boat," states Meghan Martin.

The 1960s cult classic surf film, "Endless Summer," from which the exhibition takes its title, is driven by the idea that it might be possible to follow the summer season around the world. That idea, spirit, and lifestyle is aptly embraced in the paintings, miniature picket fences, and custom surfboard in the surf art of Chris Robb. Reflective of his passion for modern art, design, and surfing, Robb blends pop and folk art traditions to create a signature graffiti style characteristic of the surf culture aesthetic.

For Hope Barton, the beach is a place for catching fish rather than waves. In her acrylic painting, "Surf Fishing," a beach scene shimmers with blue, green, lavender, and yellow gem-tones. The focal point of the painting is a figure with a fishing line cast into turbulent water. The contrast between the stillness of the figure and the implied movement of crashing waves masterfully balances complex visual elements to render the meditative qualities attributed to surf fishing culture.

The concept of summer also inspires new color palettes and modes of expression. In Christine Peloquin's mixed media polyptych painting "Sky's the Limit" an abstract sunset saturates the landscape in a tangerine glow. Peloquin captures the theatrics of the summer sun moments before it disappears behind twilight's dark curtain.

While the beach plays a prominent role in this exhibition, the destinations, activities, and experiences depicted are not as narrowly defined. From the Caribbean inspired batik paintings by Wendy Tatter, to Marc Barrett's roadside discoveries of recreational canoeing, this summer themed exhibition will appeal to art and summer enthusiasts alike.

During the opening reception, a digital photo booth, including playful summer themed props, will be available for guests to create and capture their summertime memories of the event. The images will be posted to the Arts on Douglas Facebook page and Instagram under the hashtag #aodsummer. Guests are also encouraged to dress in “beach chic” attire to receive 10% off all Endless Summer purchases.