Georgia Waters and Mountain Clay featuring John Cleaveland
Blue Spiral 1 (BS1) presents four new shows beginning with an opening reception on Friday, March 6, from 5–8 p.m., and running through May 1.
In the Main Gallery, the exhibit Georgia Waters and Mountain Clay features paintings by John Cleaveland, Jr. and woodfired ceramics by Will Dickert. Large and small-scale paintings by Cleaveland focus on the lakes, rivers and wetlands of Georgia.
“I hope to capture a piece of the viewer’s heart and to create a longing or connection that wasn’t there before, because not only are these places beautiful and peaceful, they are also vital pieces of the environment.”
Warp and Weft, in the Lower Level Gallery, is a group exhibition celebrating artists who work with and are inspired by weaving techniques and who use warp and weft to create their pieces. Artists featured are Amy Putansu, David Samuel Stern, Elysia Mann, Carole Hetzel, Carol Milne, Clay Burnette, Jessica Green, Erin Castellan, Marge Duggar and Connie Lippert.
“While many artists in the show work in textiles, others use warp and weft in basketry, glass sculpture, photo collage and embroidered paintings,” says BS1 assistant director and curator Candace Reilly.
The Small Format Gallery houses a solo show of paintings by Chris Liberti, whose work combines traditional still-life and abstract form to create brightly colored linear compositions. Liberti’s paintings were inspired by the compelling manipulation of perspective, sturdy colors and intentional brushstrokes of Sienese paintings from the 13th–15th centuries.
“I referenced materials that provide a contrast to historical depictions in that these spaces are merely shells to offer us comfort, vacation, and a place to raise our children and maintain our possessions,” says Liberti. “I attempted to treat each work with as much care as a painting that would have made it to the altar in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, whether it’s of my laundry machines or a kitchenette from an Airbnb post.”