Emerson galleries feature trio of talented exhibitors this summer
The Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture has announced the opening of three new exhibits to enjoy this summer – “Of Shadow & Light” by Jerry Locati, “The Female Gaze” by Jamie Azevedo, and “Paper Landscapes” by Michele Lauriat. An opening reception for all three exhibits and their respective creators is set for Friday, July 12th in conjunction with the Downtown Art Walk from 5–8pm. Share a conversation and enjoy light refreshments while viewing their amazing work!
“Of Shadow & Light” will be on display in the Jessie Wilber Gallery from July 12th through August 30th. Whether it is the intricate architectural detail or the way Locati captures the subtle proportions in his graphite drawings, the edge between architecture and art is a fine line defined in shadow and light. He has put pencil to paper to create works that celebrate composition, light and texture in a new way. Focusing his eye on wildlife and figurative subjects, he renders small and large-scale images alike, depicting the beauty of the human form or the inspiring power of nature. Utilizing a mosaic of blocks, refocusing the eye typically off-center, he lets an intricate puzzle unfold subtly within the frame of each block. The technique isolates complex details in a larger scene, simplifying an image for the viewer, while deepening its interpretation.
The Lobby Gallery will host “The Female Gaze” from July 12th through August 30th. Azevedo has always had a sense of wonder about the world she inhabits and has appreciated the art of sharing a good narrative. This inspired her to become a storyteller and so she pursued acting. It was while living in Manhattan, New York, she was introduced and fell in love with the world of visual art. Transitioning from the stage to two-dimensional work allowed her to have complete creative control as well as deeply explore themes such as interconnectedness and mutuality. Through this form of telling stories, she is also able to superimpose many of the lovely and funny conversations she has had with others in her work. She is inspired by the metaphysical world, history, meditation, laughter, mind-bending conversations, the game of “what if,” her amusing family, quirky humans, philosophy, and the ludicrous yet jubilant journey that we are all on together.
Finally, in the Weaver Room Gallery, “Paper Landscapes” is now on display through August 23rd. “While in a landscape I look for patterns of all scale – repeating blades of grass, branches that share a direction or bend, or a sense of geometric order in an area of erosion,” says Lauriat. “These repetitions that I find in nature are also found in a great deal of art, music, and design. Patterns hold the stories of our lives together too; they give us an anchor, a roadmap, and momentum. If we do not step outside our patterns every once in a while, however, we can be devastated by an unexpected disruption. Therefore, in my search for repetition, I also look for places where patterns fall apart or overwhelm themselves and become chaotic or distorted – or simply end.”
Located at 111 S Grand Ave., the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture serves as a primary resource for the arts, arts education, and cultural activities in Southwest Montana. Learn more about these exhibits and other upcoming happenings at www.theemerson.org. •