Behind the Scenes at the AAH

How many art assistants do you know that now have two blogs written about them? Years ago, my editor surprised me with christening my “art musings,” calling them Bob’s Art Blog. The first one was titled “Illustrated Man,” all about Nate Foster, gallery assistant and art instructor at the Art Association of Harrisburg who operated like a stealth missile behind the scenes.

Flash forward to spring 2023 and Nate has his day as guest curator at the esteemed institution for a stellar show in the upstairs gallery entitled, “Correlated Cultivations.” As viewed through the lens of artists Young Won, Earle Rock and Marina Radanovic, curator Foster cultivates more than just a passing-glance correlation by doing some heavy lifting experimentally with his placement of their works. Allowing for maximum exposure, Nate assigned entire walls for each of the trio, providing spatial distancing like a sommelier’s decanting a fine wine to breathe. The impact achieved is dramatic and deliberate as the paintings simmer and shimmer exquisitely all on their own.

This blog, though, is as much about relationships as it is about art. When a team approach is used democratically, given assignments to challenge and inspire, there is a greater chance for a successful outcome. At the AAH, a handful of operatives work closely in sync under the educated eyes of CEO Carrie Wissler-Thomas and gallery curator, Rachel O’Connor. The latter, now well into her seventh year as curator with a talent beyond art exhibits, is mentoring the team. More than a trickle-down effect, O’Connor elevates the concept to a grand design, sharing her expertise in mounting a show to pass that knowledge on to the assistants. Working closely with her are Jonathan Frazier, Tien Tran and Rachel Haas-Gutin, gallery assistants, and Randy Miller, webmaster. Mr. Foster paid his dues as an assistant and recently overhauled the association’s sales gallery. The result is noteworthy in that the new look is creating great interest and boosting sales of the members’ works. With that came a promotion to gallery sales manager and an opportunity to guest curate this art exhibit.

The artists bring their own worlds to the upstairs gallery, highlighting a-show-within-a-show premise and presence. When an entire room is dedicated to depicting detailed destinations, a narrative unfolds, allowing for insider’s perspective as to what the artist may be all about.

Young Won arrives at the jumping off point where the sky meets the horizon with her adroitly articulated works on paper. The educator/artist is intentional in her approach and a master technician as segments meet, coalesce and cohabitate in a community of texture, template and time. The end results may seem to overlap but exist in a seamless, transitory state…cohesive and controlled yet never contrived.

Paper on Paper by Young Won. Photo: Jana MacGinnes

Painting by Earle Rock. Photo: Jana MacGinnes

Earle Rock, as the name may suggest, works in larger-than-life personas and portraits, capturing special moments in time of his “studies” at the peak point when all comes together for personal triumph and permanence presented in the rendering for posterity. Whether person, place or thing, Rock makes it his through color and contrast, contextualizing character with drama and depth.

Painting by Marina Radanovic. Photo: Jana MacGinnes

Marina Radanovic brings her personal upbringing to the canvas, having grown up with religious iconography surrounding her from Byzantine statuary to the realms of phantasmagoria. Often, her self-portraiture straddles both worlds, the temporal and the eternal…the secular and the sacred. In a modern-day presentation, musician friends form the focus for her paintings.

The trio’s collective body can easily stand apart, yet, when taken as a whole, “Correlated Cultivations” theme, like the AAH’s closely formed relationships, forms an ellipse like rings around the sun.

PS: As for me, this blog is “better late than never.” With just 10 days left, get to the AAH this Friday for 3^rd in the Burg and tell them Nate sent you. The exhibit closes June 22.

Penned to Purr-fection at CALC

The last school bell just rang, signaling the end of another year. Parents have already made summer reservations for vacations or stay-at-home adventures.

As for the kids, they will romp and play for at least 48 hours and then “I’m bored” will resonate far and wide. Thank goodness young and old alike will have summer’s pastime close at hand. Books provide escapism at its best and, for those under the age of 12, illustrations paint a picture of what’s to come. Carlisle author and illustrator of children’s books, Amy June Bates, has just the ticket for summer getaways for young minds. A one woman show, “By The Book,” features four of her favorites showcased with a reading nook and interactive components for all ages in the Carlisle Arts Learning Center’s GB Stuart Gallery. With two decades under her belt, her national reputation includes print making. The exhibit’s focus are illustrations from “The Big Umbrella,” “When I Draw a Panda,” “And I Paint It,” and “The Boy and The Sea,” providing plenty of insouciant charm. Special “By the Book”-related activities, including crafts and games, are a featured attraction on Saturday, June 24, in the gallery during Summer Fair. Guaranteed to be a real page turner, the exhibit runs through July 29, just before August arrives, signifying back-to-school time.

In the upstairs gallery artist, Cheryl Kugler, took the hundred-day challenge and drew 100 cats up for adoption through rescues. As of this writing, 60 drawings are left for sale with proceeds benefiting Loving Care Cat Rescue and Nobody’s Cat Foundation through July 1. Meow!

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