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Press Release: Bay Area Painter Squeak Carnwath Presents Work with Former Student

BAY AREA PAINTER SQUEAK CARNWATH PRESENTS WORK WITH FORMER STUDENT DRU ANDERSON IN RICHMOND ART CENTER FALL 2016 EXHIBITION PROGRAM

From September 13 through November 12, the Richmond Art Center will highlight 14 established and nationally known artists, including Christopher Brown, Squeak Carnwath, Enrique Chagoya, Lia Cook, Allan deSouza, Mildred Howard, James Melchert, Hung Liu, Richard Misrach, Richard Shaw, William T. Wiley, and Wanxin Zhang.

RICHMOND, CA — AUGUST 10, 2016 — In celebration of the Richmond Art Center’s 80th anniversary this year,   the Art Center’s major Fall exhibition, Making Our Mark, highlights some very special relationships that have nurtured artists and sustained this creative environment. Examining the  teacher – student  bonds and connection, Making Our Mark looks closely at the work of the mature, long-established practices of notable Bay Area artists, including the painter Squeak Carnwath and her former student Dru Anderson. In a vastly divergent choice in scale – from Carnwath’s monumental painting, Big Tiny – to the intimate small page of Anderson’s pastel rendering, In Five Years I, the mutual sympathy between the works is palpable. Both artists record the impact of life on their musings, their standing in their worlds, and their emotional commitment to being present, open, and self-revelatory.

“It takes a special generosity of spirit for an artist to be a committed teacher,” says Jan Wurm, Richmond Art Center’s Director of Exhibitions. “Stepping out of one’s studio practice to share one’s insights and understanding of our culture and the times we live in, being open to the particular perspective of a young artist, and guiding their artistic impulses in a supportive way—these aspects demand great skill and energy. It is a very privileged position for a young artist to be the recipient of such considered attention and it is also a sign of a profound sympathy that opens this exchange.”

Left:
Squeak Carnwath
Big Tiny
Oil and alkyd on canvas over panel, 2012
75 x 65 in.
Photo credit: M. Lee Fatherree

Right:
Dru Anderson
Five Years I
Chalk pastel on paper, 2016
13 x 18 ½  in.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Artist

Carnwath and Anderson will participate in one of the Making Our Mark Artists’ Talks related to the exhibition, where they will discuss their individual practices and how they have experienced the teacher/student relationship and the importance of the guidance and support. This event will take place in the Richmond Art Center’s Main Gallery on Saturday, November 5 at 2 pm and is free to the public. For more information on the event, please visit: http://richmondartcenter.org/event/making-mark-artists-talk-2/

From September 13 through November 12 in three galleries, Marking Our Mark will highlight 14 established and nationally known artists who have supported, and enriched the programs and exhibitions at the Art Center over many years. These artists include Christopher Brown, Squeak Carnwath, Enrique Chagoya, Lia Cook, Allan deSouza, Mildred Howard, James Melchert, Hung Liu, Richard Misrach, Richard Shaw, William T. Wiley, and Wanxin Zhang, artists who reflect various philosophies and media (painting, ceramics, fiber, sculpture, and photography). The opening reception for this exhibition will take place on Saturday, September 10, from 5-7 pm. For more information about this exhibition, please visit: http://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/making-our-mark/

To learn more about the Art Center’s 80th Anniversary, including the 80th Anniversary Gala celebration, please visit: http://richmondartcenter.org/making-mark-80th-anniversary/
The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalog of artwork and interpretation by the Director of Exhibitions, Jan Wurm. The complete list of artists included in Making Our Mark are Dru Anderson, Megan Atherton, Christopher Brown, Ethan Caflisch, Squeak Carnwath, Enrique Chagoya, Lia Cook, Sofia Córdova, Yvette Deas, Allan deSouza, Nathan Dollarhite, Michael Hall, Scott Hewitt, Mildred Howard, Hung Liu, Nicholas Makanna, Bruce McGaw, James Melchert, Richard Misrach, Kate Nartker, Deborah Oropallo, Shari Paladino, Johanna Poethig, Richard Shaw, Ehren Tool, Mary Hull Webster, William T. Wiley, and Wanxin Zhang.

About the Richmond Art Center:

The Richmond Art Center is the largest visual arts center in the East Bay, delivering exciting arts experiences to young and old alike who reflect the diverse richness of our community. The Art Center features hands-on learning, well-equipped studios,  Art in the Community programs and contemporary exhibitions in its galleries.

Every year, the Richmond Art Center serves thousands of students through classes and programs taught by professional artists, both onsite at the Art Center and at sites throughout Richmond. The Art Center’s four galleries mount rotating exhibitions that display the works of emerging and established Bay Area artists. Artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, Jay DeFeo, Wanxin Zhang, Hung Liu, William Wiley and Peter Voulkos have been showcased here.

Now celebrating its  80th anniversary, the Richmond Art Center originated in 1936, when local artist Hazel Salmi, who worked for the WPA, traversed the streets of Richmond with a suitcase packed with art supplies, eager to teach art to anyone interested. Today, everything at the Art Center continues to breathe life into Salmi’s original vision: That within every person lives an artist.

Contact:

Julie Sparenberg
Communications Manager
julie@richmondartcenter.org
510-620-6772

Download the press release here.

 

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