Film: “Peggy Zehring - in process” at Fox Theater
| October 28, 2010 | ||
| 5:30 pm |
Kenny Schneider will present his film “Peggy Zehring – in
process” at the Fox Theater, a documentary filmed in Zehring’s
studio that explores who she is as an artist.
“Artists Talk on Art” - Brendt Berger
| October 14, 2010 | ||
| 5:30 pm |
Brendt Berger, Painter, Printmaker, with an exhibition on the
1st Floor of MOF, will discuss the formation of the Museum of
Friends in relation to his paintings on view.
“Artists Talk on Art” - Peggy Zehring
| September 30, 2010 | ||
| 5:30 pm |
Peggy Zehring, Multi-Media artist with an exhibition on the
2nd Floor of MOF, will discuss her work, process and teaching
philosophy.
“Artists Talk on Art” - Terri Madigan, Friends Over the River
| August 19, 2010 | ||
| 5:30 pm |
Terri Madigan, Area Director for Friends of Over the River will
give a presentation of Over The River Project, answer questions
and inform supporter of how they can be involved. Over
The River a project proposed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude
(now deceased) to build a site specific art work along a stretch
of the Arkansas River between Salida and Cañon City.
Opening Reception: Berger, Fleming, Zehring show
| August 14, 2010 | ||
| 5:00 pm | to | 7:00 pm |
Showing August 14 through October 30, three distinctive artists share their vision as the museum inaugurates its fabulous new gallery space.
On display in the new first-floor space are the large paintings of Brendt Berger and sculptures by Linda Fleming.
In the more intimate setting of the second floor gallery, Peggy Zehring displays a series of her recent mixedmedia works.
JOIN US AUGUST 14, 5 TO 7 P.M., for an opening reception with the artists.
Three distinctive artists help inaugurate new gallery space
Opening on Aug. 14 in the newest gallery space of the Museum of Friends is the exhibition Brendt Berger Monumental Paintings / Linda Fleming Wood Sculptures from 1988 to 1992. Upstairs in the special exhibition gallery is the multi-media works of Peggy Zehring in a show titled In Process. An opening reception for the show will be held Aug. 14, 5-7 p.m., at the gallery, located at 600 Main Street in Walsenburg.
The inauguration of the Museum of Friends’ downstairs gallery, in the Main Street space formerly occupied by Duckwalls, coincides with the Bergers’ (co-founders of the Museum) interest in developing the downtown area of Walsenburg and raising the visibility and awareness of contemporary art in Walsenburg and the region.
“In the last 100 years of international art making, we have moved away from depicting the world in the style of realism moving towards contemporary expression which is multi-dimensional,” Curator Maria Cocchiarelli-Berger said. “The abstract works featured in both new exhibits attest to the distinctive possibilities of three different artists’ interpretations of their expression.”
Brendt Berger is a painter/printmaker with roots in Hawaii who refers to the imagery of his heritage in his more recent work. In “Monumental Paintings,” he relies on his formal training as a painter using color, form and composition to express his creativity as his life unfolded in the 1980’s while living in New York. “Dilworth’s Rib,” “Hawaiian Heart,” “Umbrella,” “John Lennon, and ” Ricardo Meets Death at Kuster King” refer to real events in the artist’ life. The largest work, “Dilworth’s Rib” is a memorial to Berger’s dear friend and poet Dilworth Faber, a New York street poet also known as the Penny Man. This would need more space to see it in its entirety, but due to the height of the gallery ceilings one panel had to be omitted. On view is a reproduction which accurately portrays the whole work measuring 15 feet by 50 feet.
In common with Linda Fleming’s Wood Sculptures from 1988 to 1992, both Berger and she used recycled materials before it was in fashion. Fleming’s wood remnants were taken from construction sites and found in neighborhoods in which she has lived.
These components contain the history of what they had been as they are transformed into new forms. Interested in the demonstration of scientific theory, Fleming found a parallel between these materials and the particles out of which all matter is comprised. Each has taken on numerous forms and she constructed her sculptures with the intent to express this in 3 dimensions. “Flask,” the largest of these works, is 130 inches high by 96 inches wide and 48 inches deep. Created in 1990, it defies logic, seeming to stay balanced while suggesting it may tumble at the same time. “Green Ring”, considerably smaller with a wonderful patina of green, is intricately formed in such a manner that the viewer is continually drawn in to understand its construction.
Upstairs, in the permanent galleries of MOF, is a special exhibition of Peggy Zehring in process. Beginning with the entrance hall and moving throughout the space are more than forty mixed-media works and a complete wall recreation from her studio. The “in process wall” displays the objects which become incorporated into her completed mixed-media three-dimensional bas reliefs. Zehring’s expression is dependent on her search for inner truth.
“For 30 years now, I have been using my art to explore my Truth - mentally, physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually,” Zehring said. “I began by painting and drawing it. In the mid-80’s, after a trip to Mexico, my work started becoming more three-dimensional. I became interested in experimenting with materials such as sand, marble dust, chalk dust, sawdust, ashes, joint compound, plaster, string, Spackle, cardboard, found metal objects, leather, sticks, wasp nests, birds’ nests and acrylic mediums, among others. I especially seek materials which have been softened and aged by the earth.”
In conjunction with the new exhibitions and the museum’s interest in developing the downtown area, public programs have been designed to encourage downtown walking traffic, shopping and dining.
Upcoming public programs:
New Artists Series: Artists Talk on Art
Thursday evenings at 5:30 in the new Main Street location.
August 19,
Terri Madigan, Area Director for Friends of the Over the River, will give a presentation on Over The River project to answer questions and inform supporters of how they can be involved. Over The River is a two-week temporary work of art created by world-renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The artists plan to suspend 5.9 miles of silvery, luminous fabric panels high above the water of the Arkansas River at eight separate areas between Salida and Canon City.
September 30
Peggy Zehring, Multi-Media artist with an exhibition on the 2nd Floor of MOF, will discuss her work, process and teaching philosophy.
October 14,
Brendt Berger, Painter, Printmaker with an exhibition on the 1st Floor of MOF, will discuss the formation of the Museum of Friends in relation to his Paintings on view.
October 28,
Kenny Schneider will present his film “Peggy Zehring – in process” at the Fox Theater
A documentary filmed in the artist studio that explores who she is as an artist.
Date and time to be announced:
Dennis Oppenheim, internationally acclaimed public artist with work in the permanent collection of the Museum of Friends, will present images of his new public sculpture, Light Chamber, in the Denver Justice Center.
Community Outreach
Yoga for Mind, Body, Soul
Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor Arleen Feiccabrino leads a class for adults every Tuesday from noon to 1:30 pm. Please bring a yoga mat or towels. Fee $5.00 per class.
School Tour Program
K-12 Curriculum-based programs offered Tuesday through Fridays, $3.00 per student
*The Museum of Friends is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon until 5 pm. Admission is free with suggested donation of $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child and senior citizen. MOF is supported in part by Colorado Creative Industries, the Faris Land and Cattle, Volunteers for Change, the Huerfano World Journal, and numerous individuals.