The Plant, for those of you who do not know, is a magnificent experiment in artisanal entrepreneurship built on a solid foundation of compassion and stewardship. This property was originally an aluminum smelting plant, hence it’s name. Along with the newly refurbished art gallery – it now has a door and actual gallery lights – a number of small businesses, and one non-profit with the gracious moniker AbundanceNC.org form what used to be a collection of old buildings and a dream.
With much creative energy, a solid vision, and massive acceptance by our local community The Chatham Beverage District (another name for The Plant) is nascant no more. Inspired by their steadfast visionary spirit, I have chosen to show a watercolor entitled, “2020” in Collective: A Group Exhibition by Chatham Artist Guild at the Smelt Gallery of Art. Though this work may appear to be an abstraction, it is chock full of imagery from a year I consider our shared experience of dis-ease, disquiet, and discomfort as well as a time of introspection, recalibration, and re-connection with ourselves and to one another.
I am completely satisfied with how this painting expresses the relationship between disarray & vision. I recall my body unable to keep still as I swished paint across the paper working to bring this piece together. I was dancing and painting simultaneously as it’s form and composition took shape. I attribute this work of art to a collaboration between Creative Energy and Acceptance by this artist to let the painting reveal itself. I hope you will take some time to really look into what 2020 means to you.
2020 is just one of the artworks at the Smelt Gallery. Our Reception is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Come by tomorrow to 220 Lorax Lane in Pittsboro on Sunday, November 28 from 2-4pm. Become apart of the exciting newness that is the 29th Chatham Artist Guild Studio Tour and The Smelt Gallery of Art.
ChathamArtistGuild.org
LaniChaves.com
Leave a Reply