CHAUTAUQUA - The Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution (VACI) 2012 exhibition series opens June 24 at Strohl Art Center and Fowler-Kellogg Art Center, highlighted by the second in a three-part series on American Abstraction in conjunction with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo.
"Abstraction in America: The 1970s and 1980s," running through Aug. 20 in the Gallo Family Gallery at Strohl Art Center, will include works by Mel Bochner, Richard Diebenkorn, Nancy Graves, Keith Haring, Beverly Pepper, Susan Rothenberg, Richard Serra and other renowned artists. An opening reception will take place at 3 p.m. June 24.
Also opening on June 24 at Strohl Art Center is the 55th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art. The annual exhibition consists of approximately 25 works, this year selected by Kim Levin, New York author and critic. Levin has been frequently published in The New York Times, ArtNews and Art in America and has been a regular contributor to The Village Voice for over twenty years. She has also been the curator of many major exhibitions both nationally and internationally. The exhibition will be a fascinating representation of two and three dimensional pieces by contemporary artists. The last day of the exhibition is July 12.
"Ocean Soul," opening June 24, is an exhibition featuring photographs by Brian Skerry, award-winning National Geographic photojournalist and Week Four morning lecturer. Specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments, his images tell stories that celebrate the mystery and beauty of the sea while at the same time bring attention to issues that are endangering our oceans. The exhibition will be on display through July 23.
Beginning on July 15, also in the Strohl Art Center, will be, "Anonymous: The Contemporary Portrait." This exhibition of paintings, works on paper, prints, wood and ceramics is a celebration of contemporary portraits.
The Fowler-Kellogg Art Center will host "Transitions in Black and White" and "Recycle. Reuse. Reinvent." from June 24 through July 19. "Transitions in Black and White" offers paintings, drawings, ceramics glass and collages all devoid of color. "Recycle. Reuse. Reinvent." displays vibrant works of art created with sustainable materials and found objects.
Other exhibitions this season include "American JuJu: Root and Power for a New Century," presenting power figures and useful objects for home and work transformed into sculptures; the Chautauqua School of Art Annual Student Exhibition; VACI Open Members Exhibition; and the work of renowned artists in the Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden.
VACI Partners, the volunteer support organization for Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution, will present "Art in the Park" fairs on July 15 and Aug. 5, both from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Miller Park and "Stroll Through the Arts," on July 19, a special fundraiser benefitting the Chautauqua School of Art Scholarship Fund.
For more information on VACI's 2012 season, visit www.ciweb.org/vaci-home/.
