New Exhibition in August July 28 2016
Endless Summer
A Group Exhibition
Opening reception: Saturday, August 6, 4-7pm
On exhibit: August 6-27, 2016
Arts on Douglas announces the opening of a themed group exhibition entitled Endless Summer. This is the fourth iteration of the show curated by Gallery Director, Meghan Martin. The exhibition features 22 selected artists. Each work included in this fun, lighthearted show is an artist's interpretation of summer ideals, memories and/or sensations. The participating artists include Linda Amundsen, Marc Barrett, Hope Barton, Bobbi Baugh, Kelly Berning, Donne Bitner, Heidi Edwards, René Guerin, Bryce Hammond, Jane Jennings, BJ Lantz, Joseph Palmerio, Christine Peloquin, Bridgette Rallo, Beau Redmond, Mary Schimpff Webb, Jo Sinclair, Wendy Tatter, Rose Thome Casterline, Trish Thompson, Anna Tomczak and Barbara Wagner. The exhibition will be on view from August 6 through August 27, 2016, with an opening reception on Saturday, August 6, from 4-7pm. During the opening reception, the gallery will be featuring classic reggae and modern beach music by the Funky Volcanoes, giving center stage to Andrew Elliot on guitar and vocals and Tyler Rosenke on the drums. The exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public.
“This show gets better every year. Especially when you have artists like St. Augustine painter Beau Redmond create a mixed media painting like Looking South on the World’s Safest Beach. Redmond captures the Endless Summer theme to a tee. At first glance, the viewer sees a typical 1950’s era New Smyrna Beach scene with cars parked in rows along the beach interspersed with surfboards and umbrellas. In typical Redmond fashion, the viewer will see that he has collaged historical articles - some as early as 1914 - about our town which was formerly known Coronado Beach,” states Meghan Martin, Gallery Director.
The concept Endless Summer inspires artists to depict images of the many connotations that summer holds. This group exhibition showcases a range of stylistic approaches and media. Hope Barton’s piece, Coquina Beach, is an organically painted perspective piece that airs a sense of calm with its unfettered beachscape save for a solo fisher person. The bright blue ocean reflects the slightly cloudy sky, and the hues are as warm as the water itself.
In contrast to Barton, mixed media artist Christine Peloquin portrays a woman adorned with a flowy summer dress walking along an unpeopled beach riff with warm tones in her work, Blue Seas and Warm Sky. This piece is inviting. The waves are familiar, the dunes off to the left give the work a verdant texture. The scene is natural and the collaged elements litter the scene with flowers, vines and patterns that are easy on the eye.
The modern swimming pool became popular in Britain in the mid-19th century and has long been synonymous with leisure and recreation. In her painting, Splash, René Guerin renders the hustle and bustle of a public swimming pool beautifully with her signature broad sweeping brushstrokes.
As a deeply symbolic period of time, the summer season is one of joviality and lightness. The exhibition is sure to appeal to art lovers and summer enthusiasts alike. Guests are encouraged to dress in “beach chic” attire at the opening reception to receive 10% off all Endless Summer purchases.