Council for the Arts premiers 'Contemporary Concepts'
CHAMBERSBURG - The Council for the Arts, 81 N. Main St., Chambersburg, presents “Contemporary Concepts," displaying works by Alicia Boss, Jarrett Bywaters, Kelly Getz and Ethan Rickrode. Sponsored by attorney David Rahauser, the show will be on view 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, or by appointment, from April 29 to June 24.
A First Friday meet-the-artist reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 6.
Alicia Boss is a self-taught artist who said she can't even recall a time when she wasn't drawing. “It is my passion, my joy, my freedom,” Boss said, quoted in a press release announcing the show. “I have been fortunate enough to have lived in many places, thanks to my family serving in the military, and I believe the diversity that I have been surrounded by helps to color my art and push my explorations of beauty.”
Boss’ mediums include pencil, chalk, acrylic on wood, oils and watercolors. Her art has been featured in Chambersburg at the Council for the Arts and Lotus Moon, and in Greencastle at Anna's Paperworks, as well as at Etsy online. She has sold artwork all over the nation and as far away as Paris, France. “My art often represents the beauty people don't see or recognize. It is about life, the road map of our experiences on our face, the pain, our survival, our diversity. It can be very ethnic and raw or soft and somber. Some of my work can make people uncomfortable or be misunderstood, like my skulls or post-apocalyptic work, but to me, it is still a lesson about beauty: life, overcoming, hope, light even in the darkest hours. I also very much enjoy doing pet portraits - which to me is again all about love and the very special bond between ourselves and our pets.”
Fannettsburg resident Jarrett Bywaters works in two distinct styles: the first is freehand rotational symmetry inspired by 20th century Dutch graphic artist MC Esher, and the second is a technique he developed and describes as “compulsive zebra printing." Both styles are a testament to Bywaters’ nature: patient, precise, perfection-seeking and dark. The artist has shown his work at the Art Association of Harrisburg, the Highmark building in Harrisburg, Harrisburg ArtsFest, Lotus Moon Gallery in Chambersburg and the Art House Lounge in Harrisburg.
Bywaters explains his subjects this way: “I like to draw flowers because I am a very analytical person and my mind has a strong pull towards mathematics. Flowers have a repetitiveness/pattern about them that makes them a very interesting subject to draw. I also like the 'classical' feel of drawing flowers. My other primary subject is abstract rotational symmetry, which also has a 'mathematical' feel to it. It’s almost like saying, 'This is what an algorithm would look like if it were something tangible.' It also shows a tremendous amount of patience and ability to do this freehand.“
Kelly Ann Getz grew up in Chambersburg and during those years she experimented with many different styles of drawings, paintings and projects. She graduated from the Chambersburg Area Senior High School where she took art classes with Louisa Etter. She participated in contests and projects through the school. She began her undergraduate work at the Philadelphia Art Institute until she followed her heart to California. She graduated from Humboldt University with a degree in art. Her work was displayed in many California galleries and dining establishments. Sadly, she succumbed to cervical cancer in March 2007. Her family is happy to have this opportunity to display her collections of drawings in her hometown.
Ethan Rickrode is currently living and working in Chambersburg. He graduated from Shippensburg University in 2014 with a bachelor of arts degree in art and is experienced in drawing, painting, graphic design, woodworking, ceramics, and sculpture. His work has been featured in the 2013 and 2014 Shippensburg University Department of Art and Design's juried student exhibitions. He is currently working on a series of abstract paintings. Rickrode explains his new work this way: "'Emblems of the Metaphysical' is a presentation of illustrations of my personal narrative through the calculated implementation of a variety of aesthetic techniques and visual styles. The paintings highlight the discoveries derived from the intellectual exploration of the consciousness.The state of the paintings is heavily influenced by my emotional and intellectual state and the immediacy of my expressionistic method of painting.”
For more information about this show or about the Council for the Arts, visit www.councilforthearts.net or call 717-264-6883.