Big and Bright: New Work From Texas - Press Release

Thursday, January 26 at 11:00am at Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA

"Big and Bright: New Work from Texas" January 26, 2012- February 21, 2012 Southwestern College Art Gallery Opening Receptions Thursday January 26 11-1 & 6-8 SWC Art Gallery Artist Talks Sponsored by the SWC Foundation Thursday January 26 12 PM featuring Matthew Bourbon & Vincent Falsetta .

The Southwestern College Art Gallery presents "Big and Bright: New Work from Texas", curated by Jessica McCambly . With the title taken from the song, “Deep in the Heart of Texas”, this exhibition is a regional survey that highlights the diverse range of work being created in Texas today. Despite the massive size of the state of Texas, there is a close community that exists amongst the artists who live and work across the state. They know each other.. or of each other.. and are usually fans of each other. The strength of this community of artists and the scene that they contribute to seems to defy the obvious geography that physically isolates them from the LA/NY art centers. With the presence of strong academic programs along with the support of regional cultural institutions, artist-run spaces, commercial galleries and virtual, cultural outlets that bridge the distance, these artists work and interact within unique and fertile conditions. This, along with the prevailing ethos, results in a vibrant and important art scene filled with complex and distinct work that stretches across Texas.  

  

Featuring work by: 

John Adelman * Susan Barnett * Iris Bechtol * Christine Bisetto * Paul Booker * Matthew Bourbon * Candace Briceno * Jim Burton * Rodolfo Choperena * Matt Clark * Shelby Cunningham * C.J. Davis * Eric Eley * Vincent Falsetta * Thomas Feulmer * Garland Fielder * Anna Fritzel-Shows * John Frost * Lily Hanson * Stephen Lapthisophon * Annette Lawrence * Dameon Lester * M * Margaret Meehan * Renee Nunez * Kim Cadmus Owens * Harmony Padgett * John Pomara * Ryder Richards * Rusty Scruby * Noah Simblist * Charlotte Smith * Terri Thornton * David Willburn * Sarah WIlliams

 

Curated by:

Jessica McCambly A graduate of the University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts and Design and former Texas artist, Curator Jessica McCambly is an artist currently living and working in San Diego, California. She also serves as Assistant Professor of Art at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, California.   

Ro2 Art: Dallas Observer's 2011 Best Gallery

Congratulations to Jordan Roth and his mom and business partner Susan Roth Romans for their gallery 

Ro2 Art being named Dallas Observer's Best Gallery for 2011!

And thanks to them both for giving me an opportunity to intern with them in the gallery!!

Jordan Roth on the far right listening to the artist talk for Import on September 1.  Artists facing us are left to right

Eric Eley, Ryder Richards, and John Frost

After 33 years of continuous banking experience, I found myself unemployed at the end of 2010.  I continue to search for a new banking position to continue my career, or any other full time employment at this point. Times are hard. 

So I started this blog to see what types of opportunities this type of exposure may afford me.  I went to Ro2 Art on August 15th to capture pics of the exhibition to use on this blog.  (See my post Import below)  While speaking to Jordan on that day, I discovered he was in need of a new intern as most of his summer help had all returned to school for the fall semester.  I applied the next day and have been happily interning since the middle of August, gaining valuable retail experience and adding skills to my resume.

It has been like icing on the cake for Ro2 Art to be named Dallas Observer's Best Gallery for 2011!!!

I'm usually in the gallery on Monday, Thursday and Friday.  Stop by and say 'hi' and check out the fine program of artworks that Ro2 Art is presenting to the Dallas scene.  Here are a few pics of the art by the three artists mentioned in the article: Kathy Robinson-Hays, Terry Hays, and Val Curry:

 Val Curry Mudra Machine 1 - 4

 Kathy Robinson-Hays 

Terry Hays

"import" at Ro2 Art Uptown at West Village

Ryder Richards, Tower I, gunpowder, graphite on paper, 2010

Ryder Richards has curated an exciting three person exhibit at Ro2 Art in the West Village. With works by Richards, Eric Eley and John Frost, we are presented with masterful architectural sculptures and drawings that adorn the gallery for two weeks only.  Hurry and see this exhibit before it is gone!

Ryder Richards, Disruption, gold leaf, acrylic on wood, 2011

Ryder Richards, 

Thug Life: Connected (Laocoon) on right, 

and 

Thug Life: Connected (Hercules and Acheloos) on left,

both are gunpowder, gold leaf, graphite on paper, 2011

Richards' work exudes a masculine sensuality with materials that are forged by fire.
Richards is an art instructor and the gallery director at Richland College.

Eric Eley, distant blast, extruded foam, wood, twine, acrylic, lacquer, 2010

Eric Eley, Peigneur 1, dry pigment, ink, color pencil, acrylic, graphite on paper, 2008

Eley is one of the amazing artists that is also represented by Platform Gallery in Seattle.

Eley is also an art instructor at Richland College.

John Frost, as a result, poplar dowels, 2008

John Frost, facade, plywood and paper, 2009

Frost is the woodworking instructor at St Marks School of Texas.  I wish I had had such a conceptually creative teacher for wood shop!

This exhibit only runs through September 3rd.  Hurry!