Balkun show reception at 100 Pearl Street Gallery in Hartford Thursday

100 Pearl Street Gallery
100 Pearl St., Hartford, (860) 525-8629
Anita Gangi Balkun: Sanctuary
Through June 1, 2013.
Opening reception: Thurs., Apr. 11, 5—7 p.m.

Press release the Greater Hartford Arts Council

Sanctuary, a mixed-media installation exhibit by local artist Anita Gangi Balkun, premieres at the 100 Pearl Street Gallery managed by the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Balkun pairs memorable photographs with collages of personal artifacts to illuminate the beauty of everyday life, examining how these tokens combat the loss of memory and impermanence of identity as we grow into old age.

Anita Gangi Balkun: "Sanctuary"

A free public opening reception will be held on Thurs., Apr. 11, from 5—7 p.m. in the gallery space. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Anita Gangi Balkun received her MFA in Painting at the University of Hartford in 2009 under the mentorship of Stephen Brown. Since then, she has completed a studio residency at the Farmington Valley Arts Center and was commissioned to create an installation for the 2012 City Wide Open Studios sponsored by Artspace New Haven. Currently a West Hartford resident, Balkun teaches at the Greater Hartford Academy of Art and creates art in her studio in Avon.

Sculpture/installation show opens at Artspace Hartford tomorrow

Artspace Hartford
555 Asylum St. St, Hartford, (860) 548-9975
Tracy Walter Ferry & Anita Gangi Balkun: Rootage
Through Oct. 16, 2010
Opening reception: Thurs., Oct. 7, 5—7 p.m.

Press release

Rootage, featuring the sculptural works of Tracy Walter Ferry and Anita Gangi Balkun, explores the origin or place where something begins and is strengthened, either biologically or emotionally. New work by the artists includes sculptures and installations. Ferry constructs sculptures that reference genetically modified organisms. Balkun combines found objects, textiles, and photographs to examine memories and the gift of lineage. Ferry and Balkun both received MFA's in painting from Hartford Art School and are residents of Conn.

The public is invited to the exhibition's opening reception on Thurs., Oct. 7, 5—7 p.m. This show has a very short run; it will only be up through Sat., Oct. 16.

(Unfortunately, Artspace Hartford’s Web site doesn’t have a page that showcases their current gallery exhibition, which seems very strange to me. However, both artists have Web sites (see links above) with images and artist statements and are worth checking out. HH)