Storytellers

Details: Published on Thursday, 20 August 2020 18:00; Category: Previous Gallery Exhibitions

Storytellers August 1-September 10, 2020

Please join Art Saint Louis for Storytellers, a new exhibition featuring new artworks by 46 regional artists from Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

Graphic design by Emily Amberger.

Storytellers is an multi-media juried visual art exhibition featuring artworks that tell stories or are inspired by or are about the written word including poetry, literature, nonfiction, artists’ books, stories, narratives, fiction, and more.

Storytellers is presented August 1-September 10, 2020.

For this juried exhibit, 253 artworks in all media were submitted by 115 St. Louis regional artists for consideration by Jurors Jamie Kreher and Chris Kahler from which they selected 49 artworks by 46 STL regional artists from Missouri, Illinois and Indiana for the final exhibition. This multi-media exhibit includes ceramics, collage, digital media, drawing, handmade paper, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, Pysanky, sculpture, video, textiles, and wood.

Congratulations to featured artists Heather Woodson, Ron Vivod, and Amela Brkic on the sales of their works featured in this exhibit. All sold works do remain on view for the duration of the exhibit.

RECEPTION CANCELLATION
Due to unavoidable health risks and complications associated with the pandemic, we have determined that it is in everyone's best interest for us to cancel our closing reception event for this exhibit (which was scheduled for September 10).

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope that you will visit the Gallery and encourage others to see the show before it closes—we are extra pleased with the exhibit and glad that we were able to present it during such challenging times. In regards to our Awards of Excellence, those will be announced before the show concludes.

Gallery hours effective August 1 are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sundays. Closed September 5-7 for Labor Day holiday. Gallery closed between shows--Cafe open. Dates and times are subject to change.

SAFETY MEASURES
For the safety of all Gallery visitors as well as for our Staff, we offer these PROTOCOL and SAFETY MEASURES in accordance and compliance with City of St. Louis health mandates and CDC recommendations:

• All guests must wear a mask or face covering at all times. A complimentary disposable mask is available if needed.
• Social distancing is observed by guests and staff;
• Guests limited to 10 people at any time;
• Sanitizing Stations are available throughout our space;
• We cannot offer seating in the Gallery or Coffee Bar;
• All Coffee Bar orders are carry-out/to-go;
• Restroom is closed to the public;
• Staff regularly cleans surfaces and other areas in the Gallery & Coffee Bar throughout the day;
• If you are feeling sick, are sick, or have been exposed to someone who is sick, please refrain from visiting the Gallery or the Cafe.

We invite you to view images of all 46 of the artworks featured in this exhibit as well as gallery views of the installed show in our Facebook album here.

We are very honored to have the opportunity to work with artists and esteemed art educators Chris Kahler and Jamie Kreher as Jurors for this exhibit.
Jamie Kreher, artist, Associate Professor of Art, Chair of Visual and Performing Arts Department, and Photography Program Coordinator, St. Louis Community College Forest Park (since 2010). She has also taught at East Central College and St. Louis Community College Meramec. Kreher holds a MFA in photography from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2005) and BS, sociology/anthropology, Truman State University (1996). Since 2005, Jamie's work has been featured in solo & group exhibits throughout the U.S. and is held in private & public collections. A well-published artist, Jamie has also served as visiting artist, presenter, lecturer and panelist
Chris Kahler, artist, Department Chair, Professor of Art, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL (since 1999). Chris holds a MFA in painting & printmaking from Northwestern University (1995), MA in painting & drawing from Eastern Illinois University (1992), BFA in painting from Ohio Wesleyan University (1990), and Parson's School of Art & Design at The American University, Paris, France (1990). A painter, Chris’ work has been exhibited in solo & group shows throughout the U.S. He is represented by Bruno David Gallery, St. Louis, MO.

PARKING RECOMMENDATIONS
Art Saint Louis is located at 1223 Pine Street in downtown St. Louis.
There are parking METERS on Pine Street and Olive Street & other nearby streets. Parking meters run 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fines are steep ($20), so don't let your meter expire.
Visit Downtown St. Louis.org's website for additional parking suggestions. You can also download the handy Parkmobile app, whereby you can pay for and monitor parking meter via your mobile phone.

Hourly parking is usually available in the PARK PACIFIC GARAGE on Olive just West of Tucker (entrance is on the South side of Olive). Parking is at your own expense and payable by credit card upon exiting the garage. Access to the garage & hours are currently limited. For info: 888-614-7426. Be sure to take your parking receipt/ticket with you when you exit your car to visit the Gallery or you won't be able to get back in to the garage to get to your garage. Your parking ticket is your key to get back in to the garage. Art Saint Louis cannot validate parking.

The Gallery is easily accessible by PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION with MetroLink and MetroBus with MetroBus stops nearby.
If you are uncomfortable driving downtown, you might want to consider a carpool or rideshare to our location.

The 46 featured artists in Storytellers are:

CB Adams, St. Charles, MO
Katherine Alexander*, Ballwin, MO

Michael Anderson, Belleville, IL
Kayla Bailey, St. Louis, MO
Mike Bannes, St. Louis, MO
Ainura Ashirova Barron**, St. Charles, MO
Lon Brauer, Granite City, IL
Amela Brkic, St. Louis, MO
Candice Dailey, O’Fallon, MO
Michaela Dean, Edwardsville, IL
Emily Denlinger, Cape Girardeau, MO
Dion Dion, Ballwin, MO
Diane Epstein, Columbia, MO
Suzy Farren, Webster Groves, MO
Alessandra Ferrari-Wong, University City, MO

Michael Frank, St. Louis, MO

Benjamin Franklin, St. Louis, MO

Cristian Grobnic, Columbia, IL
John Hardecke, Washington, MO

Bob Hartzell, St. Louis, MO
Sean Hoisington, Chesterfield, MO
Linda Horsley **, St. Louis, MO
Mimi C. Huang**, St. Charles, MO
W. (Joe) Hudson***, Peoria, IL
Linda Jackson, Florissant, MO
Sandy Kaplan, St. Louis, MO
Ruth Kolker, Creve Coeur, MO
Karthika Krishna, Wildwood, MO
Rob Millard-Mendez, Evansville, IN
Barbara Nwacha, Edwardsville, IL

Pat Owoc, St. Louis, MO
Judith Repke, Bridgeton, MO
Aric Samm, Belleville, IL
Marceline Saphian, Chesterfield, MO
Linda Scroggin, Lake Saint Louis, MO
Douglas Simes, St. Louis, MO
Byron Sletten, St. Louis, MO
Kira Svoboda, St. Louis, MO
Maxine Thirteen, Maplewood, MO
Ronald Vivod, Collinsville, IL
Aidan Welby, St. Louis, MO
Tracy Welling ***, Fairview Heights, IL
Marjorie Williamson, St. Louis, MO
Chelsie Wilson, Imperial, MO
Kevin Wilson**, St. Louis, MO
Heather Woodson, Wentzville, MO
* = Best of Show Award of Excellence
** = Award of Excellence
*** = Honorable Mention

Storytellers
Jurors' Statements

“Evaluating art is never easy or completely straightforward. When more than one juror is involved, it becomes even less clear cut. There are compromises that need to be made, for sure. This is the general story behind the selection process.

As an artist or a viewer, please know that this exhibition is just one story. I believe the work in this exhibition contains some of the strongest pieces that were submitted. I also believe that not all strong work made it in the exhibition. That is just the nature of large group exhibitions.

The path to becoming a successful artist is often not a linear and singular story. I have personally submitted to many opportunities and have not been chosen. Sometimes, I have turned opportunities down because I did not feel they were right for me. The most important thing is to continue to forge your own story as an artist and share your narrative through your relationships with others. This will lead to meaningful opportunities over time.”

— Jamie Kreher, artist,
Associate Professor, Photography Program Coordinator,

Visual and Performing Arts Department, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, St. Louis, MO

“Congratulations to all of the artists whose works were accepted into the Storytellers exhibition. There were many artworks that deserved to be shared with the public and indeed, all of the entries had compelling stories to tell. This exhibition is captivating, because it not only acknowledges the merit of the artwork, it also celebrates the artist as the storyteller. Art Saint Louis does an exceptional job showcasing the many voices of the St. Louis region and this exhibition will demonstrate the power of visual art as a vehicle for discussion.

The challenge as juror for Storytellers was a desire to focus on content, as well as the formal qualities of what makes a great selection for the show. I believe this exhibition highlights the many different points of view and variety of media. This is not just focused on traditional media, but experimentation is also recognized. Works selected illustrate a collective curatorial vision that tells a story of artistic exploration. Life is complicated, dynamic and mysterious – so are the works in this exhibition. I am thankful that we have such a vibrant artistic community and I encourage you all to recognize the exceptional work in this show.

— Chris Kahler, artist,
Department Chair, Art + Design and Associate Director School of the Arts,
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Some of the 49 artworks featured in Storytellers:

Karthika Krishna, Wildwood, MO. "Letter from my father." 2019. Photograph on Paper, 16”x20”. $250.	Candice Dailey, O'Fallon, MO. "The Tragedy of Eurydice." 2019. Oil on Gessoed Board, 25"x37". $2,000.	Pat Owoc, St. Louis, MO. "Arsenical Poisoning." 2019. Fiber, 10”x10”. Not for Sale.
Ronald Vivod, Collinsville, IL. "The Road Less Traveled." 2019. Photodigital Drawing on Paper, 28”x22”. SOLD.	Kira Svoboda, St. Louis, MO. "Desert Solitaire." 2018. Ink on Paper, 26”x20”. $350.	Michaela Dean, Edwardsville, IL. "Rust Ruin and Preservation." 2019. Foil, 15”x11.5”. $160.
Marjorie Williamson, St. Louis, MO. "Madame Sosostris." 2017. Papier-mache, Steel Wool, Oil, Found Objects on Board, 26"x26"x4". $500.	Ainura Ashirova Barron, St. Charles, MO. "Sinbad the Sailor. Voyage #3." 2018. Drawing, Digital Illustration on Paper, 18"x22". $110. This artwork has been selected by the exhibit Jurors for an Award of Excellence.	Aidan Patrick Welby, St. Louis, MO. "Erasurescapes (1 of 12)." 2019. Found Postcard, Granite Core, Bronze Strap, 5"x3.5"x1". Not for Sale.
Michael Frank, St. Louis, MO. "Happy Hollow." 2019. Acrylic on Canvas, 36”x46”. $1,800.	Alessandra Ferrari-Wong, University City, MO. "The Wilis." 2019. Video, 5:33 min. Not for Sale.	Suzy Farren, Webster Groves, MO. "Telegram from the Heart in Exile." 2019. Hand-Stitched Cloth, Thread, 10”x23.5”x.5”. Not for Sale.

Storytellers

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