"Self Ease" reception at Perspectives Gallery Sat., May 10

Perspectives: The Gallery at Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Rd., Hamden, (203) 772-2788
Self Ease: Contemporary Portraiture
Through Jun. 17, 2014.
Artists' Reception: Sat., May 10, 3—5 p.m.

Press release from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven presents a new twist on the "selfies" trend. Organized by Debbie Hesse, Self Ease: Contemporary Portraiture brings together seven artists who work within the tradition of portraiture. The exhibition features artwork by Eileen Carey, Steven DiGiovanni, Megan Marden, Larry Morelli, Katro Storm, Erika Van Natta, and Jeff Wrench. The exhibition is on view now at the Perspectives Gallery at Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, Connecticut. Gallery hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4—7 p.m. Join us for a special public reception on May 10, 2014 from 3—5 p.m.

Self Ease focuses on the psychological nuances regarding how we see ourselves and how we choose to be seen, commemorated, and remembered. Eileen Carey paints colorful portraits of people she knows in great detail as well as faceless crowds that explore the interaction of people in a fast paced culture. Jeff Wrench sketches faces of strangers on paint swatches and wallpaper samples creating casual portraits that are both specific and mysterious. Steven DiGiovanni puts people into ambiguous settings, using the surrounding objects as props to draw out meaning. Katro Storm, Megan Marden and Larry Morelli rely on personal, gestural and painterly mark making to create ambiance and psychological tension. Erika Van Natta creates a video portrait, via a self-designed kaleidoscope of herself singing original lyrics that finds cohesiveness thru geometric fragmentation.

Artwork by Eileen Carey

In addition, digital portraits or selfies emailed in from the general public will create a collective tapestry of how we see ourselves in a rapidly changing technological world. These fleeting digital captures offer a counterpart to the paintings and video in the exhibition, framing a dialogue about the history and future of this artistic genre. To participate, send digital selfies to selfeaze@gmail.com. Selections will also be included in an online exhibit at NewHavenArts.org.

Artists' reception Saturday, May 4, at Perspectives Gallery at Whitney Center in Hamden

Perspectives: The Gallery at Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Rd., Hamden, (203) 772-2788
On Nature
Through Jun. 30, 2013.
Artists' Reception: Sat., May 4, 3—5 p.m.

Press release from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven is pleased to announce On Nature at Perspectives: The Gallery at Whitney Center at 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, Connecticut, south entrance. An artist reception will take place Sat., May 4, from 3—5 p.m.

On Nature was curated by Debbie Hesse and Steve Olsen. The show includes works by Aspasia Patti Anos, Anna Broell Bresnick, Laurie Flaherty, Michael Galvin, Susan McCaslin, Paulette Rosen, Kyle Skar and Balam Soto.

Artwork by Aspasia Patti Anos

According to Hesse, On Nature—a title taken from the myriad of writings by ancient philosophers from Heraclitus to Parmenides—looks at artists' individual relationships with the natural world.

"Employing a diverse range of styles and media, these eight artists, through observation, invention, interaction and interventions with nature, consider ideas about solitude, preservation, decay and renewal, and our shared responsibility for the environment," Hesse explains.

"Dreamy" show opens Tuesday at Gallery at Whitney Center in Hamden

Perspectives: The Gallery at Whitney Center
200 Leeder Hill Rd., Hamden, (203) 772-2788
Dreamy
Oct. 9—Nov. 30, 2012.
Opening reception: Tues., Oct. 9, 5-7 p.m.

Press release from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven

Perspectives—The Gallery at Whitney Center presents Dreamy, a collaboration between the Whitney Center and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven.

Curated by Debbie Hesse and Steven Olsen, Dreamy includes works by Stephen Grossman, Rachel Hellerich, Lisa Hess Hesselgrave, Jaime Kriksciun, Kristina Kuester-Witt and Margaret Roleke.

Dreamy will be on view through Nov. 30. There will be an opening reception for Dreamy on Tues., Oct. 9, from 5—7 p.m.