Happy Bastille Day! Wait—we are in Harrisburg, not France. July: the month usually associated with fireworks, vacations, summer camps and nights under the stars. This one in Harrisburg marks the opening of two major retrospective art exhibits and one that is under lock and key. The first has been five decades in the making.
Carrie Wissler-Thomas Retrospective: A Lyrical Journey @ The AAH
For nearly half a century, Carrie Wissler-Thomas has dramatically changed the landscape of art in central Pennsylvania. Through her passion, she has lovingly planted, cultivated and nurtured not only the discipline of art in its myriad manifestations but has also helped develop the careers of so many artists through exhibits at the Art Association of Harrisburg and community wide. Under her steady hand and vision, Carrie took an association in 1980 that required skilled leadership. From exhibitions for the gallery to representation in local businesses to the demanding need of fundraising to ensure growth and membership enrollments, all were achieved on her watch. Through her many initiatives, all boxes were checked and surpassed by even the most rigorous set of metrics. But even more than all those accomplishments, Carrie has been the ever-present face and embodiment of the institution that has set the standard for art in our region.
Carrie Wissler-Thomas’ retrospective, “A Lyrical Journey,” began early in life as a painter and writer enamored with the world of art. That path evolved after moving to Harrisburg with her husband Scott in 1972. With a master’s degree from Temple University on her resume, she was a perfect fit for the incredible career that lay before her as president of the Art Association board of directors in 1980. By 1986, the AAH hired her as its executive director and president, positions she has excelled at for nigh on forever. The retrospective encompasses her oeuvre that spans “expressionistic, oil style, with her own distinct signature stamp of undulating lines and folds that naturally flow in both landscapes and figurative studies,” according to the exhibit’s curator Alanna Barton. The landscapes originated from Carrie’s trips abroad to Scottland, France and Spain, as well as vistas of the Susquehanna painted from her Front Street mansion. The figurative works influenced by the teachings of the late Li Hidley have a quintessential quality of quotidian composition. Her 800 paintings created over the span of 50 years speak to a prolific painter, one who has dedicated her life to art, leaving an incredible legacy. Carrie’s paintings can be found in collector’s homes from all points in the U.S. to across the pond in England. Her works have been featured in solo shows and exhibits in galleries up and down the East Coast. Today, she is as recognized for her paintings as leading the highly esteemed association.
Patrons and art lovers alike will have the opportunity to select from 70 of those special works available for purchase through Aug. 30. Her planned retirement this fall will coincide with the completion of Harrisburg’s 38th edition of Gallery Walk, which was one of her very first community endeavors as CEO. The opening night reception for “A Lyrical Journey” is this Friday evening, July 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. It is both an honor and a privilege to be able to call Carrie a friend and colleague and fellow voyager traveling through this wondrous world of art.
R76 with one of her works at the Governor’s Residence
Intermission: R76’s Pennsylvania Leaders of Color at the Governor’s Residence
How does an exhibit that for now can’t be viewed by the public make a statement as powerful as those readily available to view? Anyone who has any interest at all in art in our area has more than likely heard of the ubiquitous artist, R76. The artist proudly shares that she has Venezuelan and Black roots in her lineage. On a first name basis, Reina’s works have been featured from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, in private residences and state houses, and many galleries on the eastern seaboard. In fact, one of her paintings is proudly hung in Moldova’s ambassador’s home. Something they share in common: Reina is the unofficial (at least for now) “Art Ambassador” for Harrisburg. Now add to that list the top man in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro. He promotes far more than the affairs of our government. In celebration of Juneteenth and our nation’s 250th anniversary, Reina’s art exhibit of six magnificent paintings grace the walls of Gov. Shapiro’s residence that, at least for now, is closed to the public. Reina’s platform of art advocacy stands for, “the hope that people of color get recognized for their accomplishments.” The exhibit, “Pennsylvania Leaders of Color in America 250” will resonate well into the future by carrying a historical banner forward, serving as a reminder of the crucial roles people of color have made and will continue to make on behalf of their allegiance to our nation. The exhibit will continue through Aug. 1 and hopefully someday will be able to be appreciated by all.
“A Woman of Josun Dynasty: Placenta Jar” by SoHyun Bae
Evocative Exhibits at SAM
As far as art exhibits, go there are rare occasions when one makes a lasting impression. In its almost four months run at the Susquehanna Art Museum, ”American Identity, The Art of the Susquehanna,” and the exhibit following would find it hard to top. Rachel O’Connor, director of exhibitions at SAM and adjunct professor of art history at Messiah University, met the challenge head on. She has mounted a moving tribute with an exhibit equally stunning and intellectually stimulating. The second astounding retrospective, opening this Thursday, revolves around art from a Korean artist, SoHyun Bae, who weaves a tale so riveting with her art that it far surpasses the best beach read. “Questioning from the Inside: Works by SoHyun Bae” takes a deep dive with her artistic philosophy. There are thematic explorations of womanhood, cultural memory, Korean history and Jewish mysticism, forming the framework in a show that exceeds expectations above and beyond the formulaic norm. That these all work so well in sync is incredible, provoking closer investigation into our own journey. Rachel revealed, “It’s deeply humbling to curate and organize a thematic retrospective of an artist like SoHyun, who is both profoundly wise and generous.” She says she wants to get to the “essence of things.” O’Conner added, “We all experience brokenness in this world and SoHyun’s work serves as a balm to help the viewer realize that, in your brokenness, you can still be whole.” Bae employs rice paper, the washed patina of Korean ceramics, and the patterns of bojagi (Korean patchwork wrapping cloth) are found within her works. Informing her art is the aspect of Shevirat ha-Kelim, which describes the world as a shattered vessel. This spills over from a Jewish mystical concept. Through her studies, she “joined a universal dialog on the precariousness of life.” This is evidenced in her works honoring roles, traditions, materials and faces of her ancestors and herself. The exhibit weaves mediums and meaning deftly detailing the importance of heritage and its cultural tropes that play in defining one’s life journey. The exhibit opens July 16 and runs through Oct. 18.
“Shopping List” by Natan Lawson
Also, at SAM now starting its final month through Aug. 16, is Natan Lawson’s exhibit, “Apple of My Eye.” His visually arresting paintings have been featured in Netflix and HBO productions. His show at SAM centers around Natan’s personal connection to the fruit that started the never-ending relationship between man and woman—the apple. His personal fascination with the fruit of temptation speaks to his first job selling them at Reid’s Orchard at the Baltimore Farmers Market, which started his lifelong affair with the forbidden fruit. The paintings, mechanically manipulated, make for a unique perspective full of memory. They are at once playful and rich with emotional vitality. With this exhibit, Mr. Lawson posits the eternal question—what if?—and allows the audience to make their own choices from a bushel basket full of polished paintings.
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