SYRACUSE, New York -- May 31, 2007 -- Delavan Art Gallery is pleased to present the exhibit "Glass and Abstracts" featuring acrylic paintings by Thomas Barnes, works on paper and canvas by Linda Bigness, glass pieces by Jerome R. Durr, glass sculpture by R Jason Howard, and charcoal drawings by Jeff Schuessler. The exhibit opens on Thursday, June 14 and continues through Saturday, July 28, 2007.
With a geometric vision, Thomas Barnes began his career as a student of math and sciences during the Cold War. He was always interested in studying art, but it was not until he met Professor Frank Goodnow at Syracuse University in a night class that he finally found a direction for his art studies. Thirty-five years later Barnes has developed into a prolific artist with a solid style of hard-edged geometric shapes and colors used to create acrylic paintings of abstracts and landscapes. "The long awaited chance to study art on my own terms is becoming more rewarding and enjoyable as time goes on," he writes in his artist statement. Barnes has returned as an artist to "those geometric shapes that the childhood battery of tests said were one of my strengths."
Thomas Barnes - "Untitled" acrylic painting
Linda Bigness creates art on paper and canvas. Her largely abstract works have been exhibited internationally, won numerous awards and can be found in both public and private collections. She has exhibited at the Everson Museum of Art, the Cultural Center: The Netherlands, Westmoreland, Cooperstown and in Korea. Public commissions include the Temple B'Rith Kodesh in Rochester, NY and the Governor's Mansion in Florida. Bigness was head of the Visual Arts Department and Director of Gallery 320 at the Metropolitan School for the Arts in Syracuse, NY before it closed and has continued to curate, teach and write on a regular basis.
Linda Bigness - "City Walk I" oil painting, 60" W x 36" H
Jerome R. Durr began designing and fabricating glass artwork in 1973 for private residential collectors, commercial projects, ecclesiastical commissions and public surroundings. Today Jerome R. Durr Studio specializes in architectural art glass for an impressive list of international clientele. His work can be found throughout the United States, in France, Italy, Germany, Kuwait and Sri Lanka. Durr is on the board of directors of the Stained Glass Association of America and is Director of the Stained Glass School. His expertise includes casting, carving, etching and slumping glass. Durr looks forward to the innovative large or small architectural setting project where he can meld human problem solving with quality of design and fabrication.
Jerome R. Durr - Glass from "Dichroic Series"
R Jason Howard calls his glass sculpture "an exploration of change, time, and process." In his artist statement he explains, "I've always thought of glass as a matrix of the space-time-heat continuum." Howard first became enthralled with glass as a senior studying ceramics at Hamilton College. After graduating he received a scholarship to the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass and began studying with several renowned glass artists. Howard acted as a consultant for North Star Glassworks developing colored borosilicate glasses including one of their more popular colors, "Onyx." His current work through his studio, Cicada Glassworks, can be seen in galleries around the country. Inspired by nature, he draws on the unique combination of traditional Italian techniques and self-invented processes to create large organic colorful forms that push the boundaries of what flameworked glass can do.
R Jason Howard - "Orchid" glass
Through various drawings and paintings of circles, seemingly both in motion and dynamically frozen, Jeff Schuessler presents ideas concerning space and time. In Schuessler's Inertia Series I, circles dominate as the subject. Through various sized charcoal drawings, he explores both the potential for and the continuation of movement across space and time. "Inherently kinetic, the circle provides a sense of motion yet can also offer a quiet stillness," he writes in his artist statement. He creates tension by providing both, often simultaneously. Schuessler holds a B.S. in Advertising and an M.S. in Art Education from Syracuse University. Currently, he is an art teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School.
Jeff Schuessler - Study for "Pinnacle" charcoal, 22" W x 30" H
Delavan Art Gallery is a 3,800 square foot showcase and sales venue for fine art created by area artists. Conveniently located downtown at 501 West Fayette Street in Syracuse, the gallery is free and open to the public. Off-street parking is available and the gallery is handicapped accessible. Delavan Art Gallery opens “Glass and Abstracts” from 5 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 14. The show is on exhibit through Saturday, July 28 on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 12-6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and at other times by appointment. For more information visit www.DelavanArtGallery.com.
Artists in Attendance: Saturdays from noon – 3 p.m.
Saturday June 16- R Jason Howard
Saturday June 23- Thomas Barnes
Saturday June 30- Jeff Schuessler
Saturday July 7- Jerome R. Durr
Saturday July 14- Thomas Barnes
Saturday July 21- Jerome R. Durr
Saturday July 28- Linda Bigness
Artists also in Attendance for Th3, The Third Thursday, on Thursday, June 21 from 5 - 8 PM (more information available at www.th3syracuse.com)
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