By Rodney Richey, Herald Bulletin Feature Writer
ANDERSON — Land has always been at the heart of our state, in all its forms and beauty.
So appropriately, land is the central focus of “Open Space: Art About the Land,” an exhibit that opens Tuesday at The Anderson Center for the Arts. A contest for Hoosier artists invited entries that were somehow related to the land, whether through subject or physical medium.
“For instance, it could be an oil painting of a landscape, or it might be something made of clay or, in one instance, a basket made of reeds,” said Deborah Stapleton, executive director of The Anderson Center. “It’s a very open concept, as to what ‘art of the land’ or ‘art about the land’ is.”
Stapleton said the show was the result of a four-point collaboration between the center, Muncie Minnetrista Cultural Center, the Henry County Art Association and the sponsoring organization, The Red Tail Conservancy. The conservancy set up the contest that attracted the works featured in “Open Space.”
“It was originated as a way to promote, first, the idea of nature and land, and second, to bring awareness to the idea of the nature conservancies,” Stapleton said.
Some of the well-known artists whose works are featured include painter David Slonim of Anderson and, from Muncie, photographer Pamela deMarris, potter Carol Burt, watercolorist Jim Faulkner and painter Larry Graham.
“It was open to any artist in the state of Indiana, and there are artists from 20 different Indiana towns,” Stapleton said.
Also featured will be Alan Patrick, formerly of Bethel Pottery in Muncie.
“He was one of the main figures in that shop,” Stapleton said. “Years ago, he changed to painting and is painting and drawing now, so people might like to see what he’s doing currently.”
There are 88 pieces in the show from 51 artists. Most of the pieces are two-dimensional — paintings, watercolors, photographs — and 10 are three-dimensional, including pottery and jewelry.
“There are some really interesting pieces done in lacquers, which is a little different,” Stapleton added. “There are a few experimental pieces, but if people really love the traditional media, this is a great show to see.”
Contact Rodney Richey, 640-4861, rodney.richey@heraldbulletin.com.
