Reception for two shows at Middlesex Community College next Monday, February 6

Middlesex Community College Pegasus Gallery
100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, 1-800-818-5501
Daniel Mosher Long: Eye/Object in the Pegasus Gallery
(Pegasus Gallery is located within the library on the first floor of Chapman Hall)
Jan. 30—Mar. 2, 2012.
Also on view in the Niche Gallery:
Tracy Walter Ferry: Genetically Modified Organisms in the Niche Gallery
(The Niche is located on the first floor of Founders Hall)
Jan. 30—Mar. 2, 2012.
Joint Artists' Reception: Mon., Feb. 6, 4:30—6 p.m. at The Niche and in the Pegasus Gallery.

Press release

Daniel Mosher Long’s still life photographs combine domestic, utilitarian, and natural materials in unexpected ways. These color-saturated images are closely cropped and appear to occupy a real rather than an illusionistic two-dimensional space. Juxtapositions of insect specimens, fine dinnerware, animal bones, flowers, fabric, vintage advertisements and antique packaging offer narratives associated with the past in as much as their time here in the present.

Long received an M.A. in Photography from Purdue University and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Connecticut. He has exhibited his work nationally and is Professor of Photography & Coordinator of the Visual Fine Arts Photography Option at Manchester Community College.

Long's photographs will be on view in the Pegasus Gallery through Mar. 2.

The assemblages of Tracy Walter Ferry are influenced by processes of microbiological and genetic experimentation. Inspired by her work as a registered nurse, these mixed media sculptures are anatomical in nature and combine contrasting components and materials. Balloons, children's toys, baby nipples, x-rays, fabric, thread, medical and building hardware are manipulated into striking organic forms that balance the sharp, soft, fragile and resilient.

Ferry received an M.F.A. from the Hartford Art School and has exhibited her work throughout the east coast. Her assemblages will be on view in The Niche through Mar. 2.

There will be a joint Artists' Reception on Mon., Feb. 6, from 4:30—6 p.m. in The Niche and at the Pegasus Gallery.

Artists' reception this Saturday at UConn Stamford Art Gallery

The UConn Stamford Art Gallery
One University Pl., Stamford, (203) 251-8400
Habitat, Fragmentation and Growth: Tracy Walter Ferry & Claudia Mengel
Mar. 1—30, 2011.
Artists' reception: Sat., Mar. 5, 2—4:30 p.m.

Press release

The UConn Stamford Art Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibit of art works by regional artists Tracy Walter Ferry and Claudia Mengel. Habitat, Fragmentation and Growth is a two-person show that combines sculpture and painting to explore the visceral reaction to the synthesis and deconstruction of life. The show is available for viewing at the UConn Stamford Gallery from Tues., Mar. 1 through Wed., Mar. 30. An Artist’s Reception will be held on Sat., Mar. 5, from 2—4:30 p.m. in The Gallery.

The exhibit includes approximately six vibrantly colored paintings by Mengel and a similar number of sculptures by Ferry. Mengel comments, “My work comes from not looking but experiencing the world around me, and then translating these visual and emotional perceptions, with every creation there is a new discovery, a new problem, a new solution. Every time I approach the blank white space, I take a unique journey always unlike the last and never like the next.” This is what keeps her coming back to the canvas.

Of her work, Ferry remarks, “This series is based on my extensive and past experience as a registered nurse which gave me insight into the human body and all types of microbiology in a completely intimate way.” She explores what would happen if the order within these organisms were disrupted. “In creating these newly found objects I combine materials that are not typically put together. I combined baby bottle nipples with nails and plastic soldiers with screws. I create new beings, then deconstruct them and use the parts for new sculptures. It is work similar to that of a scientist in a lab.”

Claudia Mengel received her degree in printmaking from the Brainerd Art School at the State University of New York at Potsdam and is a member of Silvermine Artist Guild and a member of the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, where she also sits on the board. Her work is in many private collections in the tri-state area and she exhibits at several galleries. Tracy Walter Ferry received an MFA in Art at Hartford Art School. Ferry is the recipient of the Ellen Traut Collection Award, Art Works Gallery Hartford, CT.

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)