Enjoy an evening at GoggleWorks’ monthly Spotlight Night with opening exhibitions, gallery works, artists talks and more 5:30-7:30pm Friday, Dec. 1. Hope to see you there!
OPENING EXHIBITION
Mix together the artistic flair of two friends, some acrylic paints and a love for creating and you’ll get the “Some things are better in… Two” show at GoggleWorks by Juried Studio Artists Elaine Soltis and Cheryl Elmo. On display, their series of paintings are a mix of vibrant color and a marbleized effect. Each 5”x5” canvas pops with bold layers of colors, lively swirled designs and three-dimensional additions. Soltis and Elmo have unique styles of artistic expression and craftsmanship which shine through in every one of their 48 pieces.
Soltis was first exposed to the acrylic pour last summer in Cleveland. She remembers that working with the paints was an experience.
“I had [the acrylic paint] all over me! In my hair, clothes, my mouth, everywhere!” But she had such fun with the process that when she arrived back home, she introduced the technique to Elmo. Together, the artists each came up with their own unique way of creating.
“Sometimes as artists, we get so caught up in ourselves. [With the acrylic pour, you] do what you feel like doing, it’s a lot of fun,” Soltis says.
“It is laborious, it takes days of work, but I love it, I love doing it,” Elmo says, lighting up when she explains her process. Many of Elmo’s pieces incorporate tiny faces she sculpts out of clay and then adheres to the canvas, creating an additional energy to the piece. “It’s a unique process for both of us,” Elmo says. “We’ve both used the same technique but gone down different paths to develop a product that’s really taken on a life of its own.”
“The potential for fun and design is endless,” Soltis says.
The opening exhibition of “Some things are better in… Two!” by GoggleWorks’ Juried Studio Artists Elaine Soltis and Cheryl Elmo will be 5:30-7:30pm Friday, Dec. 1 as part of GoggleWorks’ monthly Spotlight Night. The 5”x5” paintings are $150 each and can be purchased through the GoggleWorks Store.
ARTIST TALK
Photographer Blair Seitz will discuss his exhibition One Camera, Seven Lives in Schmidt Gallery 6:30-7pm Friday, Dec. 1 as part of GoggleWorks’ monthly Spotlight Night.
“There have been monumental changes over the last few decades in the way that photographs are captured, transmitted and sold,” Seitz says. In the Artist Talk, Seitz will use photographs from One Camera, Seven Lives to show how these changes have affected photography and the changes he has made to adapt. For more information on the artist, visit his website here.
GLASS AND CERAMICS SALE
Looking to start on your holiday shopping? Swing on by the annual GoggleWorks’ Glass & Ceramics sale through Sunday, Dec. 3 for a unique piece of art handcrafted by a local artist. The variety of work on sale presents something for everyone. All the work is handmade by local artisans.
“It’s always exciting to see what comes in because we don’t have any idea what might be there,” Penny Golden, store manager, said. “It’s an ideal time to find something for holiday giving.”
All the pieces are located just outside the GoggleWorks’ store. Hours are 10am-7pm weekdays and 10am-5pm weekends.
ONGOING EXHIBITIONS
The 13th Annual GoggleWorks Juried Studio Artists’ Exhibition will be on display through Jan. 7, 2018 in the Cohen Galleries. The Reading Skatepark Association Community Art Show is currently up in the GoggleWorks’ Cafe Space and will be on display through Thursday, Dec. 28.
STUDIO DEMOS
Join us for a demo in GoggleWorks’ Hot Glass studio as our artist-instructors create glassblown ornaments just in time for the holiday season. Everyone who attends the demo will receive a raffle ticket to enter to win a free glassblown ornament workshop from 1-3pm Dec. 16. (an $80 value!)