Saturday, January 26, through Saturday, February 23
Opening Reception: Friday, February 1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy, 2967 State Street, Bettendorf IA
Evocative works by a Quad Cities artist of more than three decades will be on display at the Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy from January 26 through February 23, as the Bettendorf venue showcases mergers of line, design, and print-making in the new exhibit Under Construction: Recent Works by Corrine Smith.
An independent mixed-media artist and educator, Smith received her MFA from the University of Kentucky in 1983, and as a Rock Island native, she returned to her hometown with her family in 1989. Upon her return, Smith became active and involved in many school and community art projects and programs working as a visiting artist/teacher. She has been the co-director of the children's art program “Kaleidoscope” since 1996 and joined the faculty of Augustana College in 2004, currently continuing to teach as an adjunct assistant professor of studio art. Her work can be found in regional, national, and international exhibits, as well as private and corporate collections.
As Smith explains in her Artist's Statement: “The evolution of my art has been a natural additive progression. My art is a reflection of my life. I have yet to exhaust exploring the formal elements and principles of design. While some works take on a recognizable structural imagery, I enjoy creating nonrepresentational works as well. My compositions are full of dimension, expression, texture and pattern. Currently my choice of media is acrylic paint, handmade papers, and mono-prints. Each piece begins with several drawings combined, often one over another. Rendering form and space guides the underlying structure and composition of my work. I approach the work intuitively by laying in color choices, be it paint, papers, or prints. The process of making paper and mono-prints allows me to produce a unique unit to add to the composition; the papers and prints are selected for immediate color and texture. As the composition develops, each piece is rotated, and shapes and lines get covered up and often new ones are created. For me, the evolution of the painting is an exciting, unknown journey that compels me to create.”
A 5:30 p.m. artist reception will be held at the Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy on February 1, and regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free, and more information on Under Construction: Recent Works by Corrine Smith, along with other venue exhibits, events, and classes, is available by calling (563)508-4630 or visiting BereskinArtGallery.com.
