Arlene’s Artist Materials will open Expertise: a group exhibition featuring Arlene’s staff running October 9th until the 31st. “There are a lot of talented artists working at the store. They know a lot about not only their craft but artist materials on a whole” says Gallery Director Andrew Ochal. “ We are passionate about art supplies at Arlene’s and this show is just another way for us to share that with our community.”
The exhibition will feature work by Jon Christopher Gernon who has cultivated more than twenty-five years experience with the local arts scene. A widely exhibited and collected artist, Gernon’s work is featured in more than fifty group and solo exhibitions in the United States, Canada and Europe. Most recently in the group show Tempera: Nurture & Nature at the Attleboro Art Museum and Visions at the Albany Center Gallery. He is currently working on a body of work to be shown in Japan in 2021.
Framing Manager and store staple, Allan Gallagher pieces reveal his passion for working in clay and mixed media. He says “everything tastes better in a Gallagher bowl.” Artist Kate Wolford was born and raised in Albany, NY. She graduated from Sage College of Albany with a BFA in Fine Arts and works primarily in mixed media using inks, textiles, and printmaking. Erich S. Getchell has worked at Arlene’s since 2008; during this span he became a father not once, but two times. Also, graduated as a departmental major in the studio arts program at UAlbany in 2010. Paints primarily with oils, but also enjoys drawing with most any kind of media (wet or dry). Artistic style is mainly influenced by German Expressionism, and to a lesser degree, Mannerism. Jim Simkulet, who has been working at Arlene’s for 20 years, examines the traditional wax resist techniques of Pysanka.
Illustrator and artist Sarah Blakeman, who has been working at Arlene’s for just over a year, lives and works in Albany with her husband and their two cats. They are both from Glens Falls, NY. She is a freelance illustrator with a BFA in Illustration from SUNY Fredonia. Her favorite mediums to create with are watercolor, marker and pen. Blakeman is fond of line drawing and painting. Rounding out the group is Andrew Ochal who’s work examines the concept of value that we put on objects. He primarily works on panels or paper mounted to panels in various types of mediums. He endeavors to create work that entices the viewer to question their opinions of everyday materials as well as things that we deem special. To have the viewer see that the idea of value placed on objects as artificial and a construct put upon the item; not inherent to them.
The R Gallery at Arlene’s will be following CDC guidelines for visitation to ensure the safety and wellness of all our visitors. Please note, at this time we will not be hosting an Opening Reception. Gallery hours are during store hours, Monday - Wednesday, 10am to 6pm, Thursday, 10-7pm, Friday, 10am- 6pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Exhibit is free and open to the public.