New 2023 members of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg will reveal themselves through their unique artistic visions “of the place we all call home” in “Altered States: 10 New Visions,” an exhibition Jan. 9 through Feb. 3 in Galleries II and III.
An artists’ talk is planned for Thursday, Jan. 18, at ACS as part of ArtWalk Spartanburg. The artists’ works range from pottery to acrylic and oil painting, to photography and mosaics.
“How is it that different people can have so many different takes on this world we share? By plunging into the depths of our experiences, we reveal ourselves and our unique visions of the place we all call home,” says participating oil painting artist Dan Hazard, who is organizing the exhibit. “Visitors can expect to see beautiful paintings, and the textile art of mosaics and ceramics that represent how each of us sees the world around us.
“We hope that people walk away with a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them,” he adds.
In addition to Hazard, participating artists include Ken Bolton, Pat Cato, Judith Kolva, B. Collins, Monica Raquel, Petra Romero, Jackie Spohnholtz, Cassandra Stephens-Johnson and Skye Winter.
“As new members of the Artists Collective this year, we all feel a collective sense of excitement about showcasing our art in Spartanburg,” Hazard says. “We are the new artists of the Collective, and that is what brings us together. Our message is that each one of us has our own individual lived experiences and expressions of beauty. No two people are the same, and it is in the differences that beauty is found.”
Each of the participating artists had this to say about their works:
Dan Hazard – “My art explores themes of light and dark, harmony and dissonance, life and death, and finding the beauty of humanity in our differences.”
Judith Kolva – “My acrylic paintings are bright, bold, brazen. They celebrate vibrant colors enhanced with tactile textures. Their abstract nature depicts what can be instead of what is.”
Jackie Spohnholtz – “Mosaic by its very nature allows the creator to bring beauty from brokenness. I incorporate mixed media (glass, beads, wire) to give birth to new visions.”
B. Collins – “A ceramic artist who makes colorful and perfectly functional dinnerware.”
Ken Bolton – “My paintings are a combination of expression and experimentation, chasing figures and concepts that sometimes manifest into strange images.”
Pat Cato – “My inspiration derives from nature, life events and the environment around me. My goal is to produce a thought-provoking piece that makes a connection with the viewer.”
Monica Raquel – “I was born in Peru and moved to U.S.A. in 2006. My love of the arts always has been my best refuge since early years.”
Cassandra Stephens-Johnson – “This collection focuses on the suspended flow of natural elements.”
Skye Winter – “My art celebrates the transient beauty of this marvelous world. I reveal the extraordinary in everyday life and use vibrant colors to infuse joy and whimsy into my subject.”
Petra Romero – “With my paintings I hope to capture life’s overlooked splendor and offer a unique perspective that highlights the extraordinary from the ordinary.”
Art pieces in the exhibit will be available for purchase, with prices ranging from $20 to $2,000.