Esther and John Clay Fine Art Gallery
Current Exhibition
Michael Gadlin | Urban Jungle
Exhibition Dates: Jan. 23 - Mar. 1, 2023
Opening Reception: Noon - 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8
Artist Talk: 2 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium
Artwork by Michael Gadlin
Artist Statement
I have dedicated my artistic practice to exploring seemingly random visual elements by painting them in layers using mixed media. My work is a dense amalgamation of symbols and abstraction that I procure from the often crowded and chaotic urban landscape to excite the viewer’s senses. My work is focused on an intense and long process of reacting to the tools and surface by responding to any desired element according to historical embodiment and techniques that give my elements a reference to expressionism, though I can’t define my approach in only one movement. Eternally the impressions and expression of what my tools give me leave reminisces of those histories of the moment I currently find myself observing.
My philosophy is to be as sentient with visual interpretations as possible and make work that will challenge my own assumptions of what art can be. For me, the beauty lies between the layers and those elements that offer the most meaningful relationship between the art and what the viewer experiences. I evoke a visual tension between environments of abstraction and symbolism. That tension can be the most meaningful facet of my artistic process. My imagery I chose is a relationship with the viewer that I use to gain access to the emotional and imagination that creates a dialogue that I feel explores our human story.
General Gallery Information
The Esther and John Clay Fine Art Gallery serves LCCC students and our community by inviting local, regional, and international artists to exhibit their art, give public lectures, and demonstrate materials / techniques in classroom workshops. Exhibiting artists work with a range of materials, techniques, and ideas and are vital contributors to the cultural climate of our campus. In addition, the gallery holds an annual student art exhibition.
View from the entrance of the gallery.
View from the left side of the gallery.
View from the right side of the gallery.
The gallery is approximately 900 square feet and was constructed as part of the 2020 Fine Art Building renovation and building project.
Exhibition Proposal Submission Directions
The content of the gallery is managed by a faculty member in the Art Department. Artists and projects are chosen based on the needs of our students and program. Exhibitions run approximately 4-6 weeks. Participating artists are expected to attend the exhibition opening, give a public lecture, and work with art students in class. Submissions should be made at least 6 months prior to the exhibition date.
Submission Requirements
Send the following to dmawFREELARAMIE with “Art Exhibition Proposal” in the subject line:
- 10-20 high resolution images of exemplary artworks formatted into a single PDF
- Title, date, media, dimensions of all artworks
- If applicable, links to video or submission of an .mov file (15 minutes or fewer)
- Exhibition proposal (approximately 500 words) Word Document or PDF
- Artist statement (approximately 250 words) Word Document or PDF
- Artist resume (Word Document or PDF)
Notification
Selected artists will be contacted by the Art Department. Do not contact us regarding a submission. All submissions must be complete to be considered (see Submission Requirements above). Submission of artwork does not guarantee selection.