In the “Different Perspective” theme of the Logan County Arts June exhibit, Mitch Douglas’ photograph “The Faces of Nature” turns a winter woodland into an intriguing artwork, complete with wood sprites and elegant arabesques.  Douglas’ nature-inspired work, as well as that of other local artists, will be on view at the Lincoln Art Institute from June 14 to July 7, 2018. 

Logan County Arts June show "From a Different Perspective" opens June 14th

[June 09, 2018]   LINCOLN - Following the Lincoln Art Institute’s very successful Young Artists exhibit in May, Logan County Arts members will be presenting their own works “From a Different Perspective” in June. The show will debut with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 14 at the Art Institute Gallery, 112 S. McLean St, Lincoln. In addition to viewing the artworks and enjoying refreshments, visitors will be able to learn more about the perspectives from the artists themselves.

By definition, all original art is a representation from “a different perspective”, that of the individual artist who produced the work. The originality and interest of the piece can trace back to a fresh approach to scale or color, an unexpected treatment of a familiar object or the stripping of a complex subject to a few essential abstract lines.

Several LCA artists, including Mitch Douglas, Jason Hoffman, and Pam Moriearty, will turn to the camera for their effects. As Moriearty explains, “Journalistic photography tries to objectively show ‘facts’ or ‘real life.’ A photograph can become art when it goes beyond the surface image to present an enigma, a startling twist, or a complex pattern to stir the viewer’s imagination.”

Differences in perspective can also derive from the use of different mediums to develop the artwork, since the same subject can convey a very different mood or message depending on how the artist renders it. LCA member Tony Shuff is equally talented with oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels, and choosing the medium is not the first step in his development of an artwork.

This ability to move comfortably from one medium to another is one reason his works, including those in this show, always remain fresh and interesting whether in landscape or portraiture. Other LCA members and guest artists will also add recent pieces from their own perspectives to the exhibit.

After opening night, the artworks will be available for viewing and sale until July 7. Visitors may ring the doorbell, and if gallerist Moses Pinkerton is available he will open the gallery. For an appointment, people can call Pinkerton at 217-651-8355. Also available at the “Different Perspective” opening will be information on the July exhibit, which will feature works by artists from the Blue Gallery, affiliated with Milliken University in Decatur.

[Pamela Moriearty]