Emerson galleries host paintings of the natural, whimsical & theatrical
Though the fall colors are about to put on a show of their own, there’s a trio of new art exhibits opening at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture. Three artists will showcase their work in each of the Emerson galleries into November.
Kelley Sullivan brings “Below the Wake” to the Weaver Room Gallery on September 4th. With nature as the heart of her inspiration, Kelley aims to create a complex, emotional landscape by building layer upon layer; dipping, soaking, and drenching the canvas after each application of paint until images emerge. Final details are created with charcoal, oil pen, and other mixed media. ‘Below the Wake’ will be on display through Nov. 20th.
from ‘Whimsical Escapes’
In the Jessie Wilber Gallery, “Whimsical Escapes” opens September 11th and features the work of Kayla Baker. Her acrylic paintings bring fun and quirky personalities to some of her favorite animals. By humanizing her subjects with clothing or humoresque situations, she hopes to make people realize these animals have a very important place in the world world. Baker’s paintings invite the viewer to take a moment to escape from reality, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond tragedy, loss and negativity to focus on the joyous happy times in our lives. ‘Whimsical Escapes’ will be on display through Nov. 27th.
Also opening September 11th, Kathleen Herlihy-Paoli’s “Act III” will be on display in the Lobby Gallery. In this series of paintings, Herlihy-Paoli reacts to personal, political and world events using the frame of the theatrical stage as a vehicle to call attention and reflect truths about our culture and our lives, as a mirror which she hopes “allows us to see ourselves and our society more clearly.” Many of these paintings include objects such as buttons or beads that are hand-stitched onto the canvas as embellishments. ‘Act III’ will be on display through Nov. 27th.
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. •
