Art Center Sarasota’s
New Exhibitions: January 29-March 6
“Common Vernacular”
A solo exhibit by Sarasota-based Canadian artist Richard Mueller, exploring American influences on his art.
“Line and Space”
A solo exhibition of Miami-based installation artist David Zalben.
“ASALH: Black Muse 2015”
A curated exhibit of the member artists of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.
“Fresh”
An open, all-media, all-subject juried exhibit.
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 29, 5-7 p.m.
(Sarasota, FL) Art Center Sarasota’s 2014-2015 exhibition season, entitled “Merging Parallels,” continues with four exhibits, which run January 29 to March 6. “Common Vernacular,” in Gallery 1, is a solo exhibit by Sarasota-based Canadian artist Richard Mueller, exploring the American influence on his art; “”Line and Space” in Gallery 2 is a solo exhibition of Miami-based installation artist David Zalben; “ASALH: Black Muse 2015” in Gallery 3, features works by member artists of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History; and “Fresh,” in Gallery 4, is an open, all-media, all-subject exhibition juried by Kim Anderson, associate professor of art at New College of Florida An opening reception for all four exhibits is Thursday, January 29, 5-7 p.m. Art Center Sarasota is located at 707 N. Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota. For more information, call 941-365-2032 or visit www. artsarasota.org.
The Canadian artist Richard Mueller, who maintains a home and studio in Sarasota, says that his recent work reflects, “the phenomenon of surplus information in western societies and changing notions of truth, beauty and knowledge. It employs as its premise the discarding, shredding and appropriation of word and image as a metaphoric device to generate new and relevant forms.” Lisa Berger, director of Art Center Sarasota, says that “Common Vernacular” features works from his new series, “American Vernacular,” which explores American influences on his art. “The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia recently added 18 major works by Richard to its permanent collection,” she says. “We’re thrilled to introduce his work to regional audiences.” In Europe, Mueller ‘s work is in a number of private collections and in the Museum Moderner Kunst, Passau, Germany. The artist was asked to complete a series of glass and wood works for Sattler Glass Studios that will tour Canada and the United States. Mueller taught cultural studies, pedagogy and studio courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels with NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for 20 years. He now maintains studios in Sarasota and Nova Scotia.
In “Line and Space,” Miami-based installation artist David Zalben uses black wire to create the illusion of a solid form in space. “David’s wire sculpture installations are an illusory blend of wire, words and lighthearted whimsy,” says Berger. “He creates imaginative worlds that are often deeply personal.” Berger adds that the artist is renowned for his site-specific works and public performances. In 2012, he spent 41 nights in the windows of Art Center/South Florida bending wire for “A Love That You Can’t Live Without,” an installation that that celebrated, according to the artist, “love, lust and relationships.” Zalben says that the feel of wire “satisfies something inside me. Painting takes a long time, wearing at you, I love conquering something that goes against your nature. Wire satisfies my impatience because I can do it quickly.” Zalben was born in Brooklyn, NY, and has exhibited internationally in museums and galleries since 1996. He maintains a studio space at the South Florida Art Center in Miami where he also artist-in-residence.
“ASALH: Black Muse 2015” is a curated exhibit of the member artists of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. The Art Center hosts this annual exhibition to highlight some of the region’s African-American artists. This exhibition covers a wide array of media, from painting and drawing to sculpture.
“Fresh” is an all-media, all-subject juried exhibition open to all artists. Online submissions can be done on Art Center Sarasota’s website, www.artsarasota.org/callartists. Hand-carried submissions will be accepted at Art Center Sarasota on January 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The juror for this exhibition is Kim Anderson, associate professor of art at New College of Florida.
For more information about Art Center Sarasota, call 941-365-2032 or visit www.artsarasota.org.
About Art Center Sarasota
Art Center Sarasota was the first arts and cultural institution in Sarasota. It was founded in 1926 as the “Sarasota Art Association” by Marcia Rader, the art supervisor for the Sarasota County schools district. In the early years, the group met monthly and sponsored exhibits in rented facilities. The Association was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1943 and has been in its current location in the Sarasota Bayfront Cultural District since 1949. Art Center Sarasota is now a membership-based organization that offers curated and juried exhibitions, adult and youth education programs, outreach initiatives for underserved youth, and culturally related public programming. Art Center Sarasota’s mission is to inspire individual creative expression, nurture artistic talent and provide the community with accessible and diverse visual art opportunities.
Art Center Sarasota
707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-365-2032 § Fax: 941-366-0585
www.artsarasota.org
Gallery Hours:
Free admission
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Closed Sunday
