Logan County Arts October show "Collaboration" opens Thursday

[October 06, 2018]   LINCOLN - For their October exhibit, Logan County Arts members will present artworks made not by individuals, but through creative collaboration between artists during the production process. The Collaboration show will open with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 11 at the Lincoln Art Institute, 112 S. McLean St, Lincoln. The artist-collaborators will be on hand at the reception to provide explanations and their thoughts on the pros and cons of cooperative fabrication.

Though most artwork is considered to be the effort of a single person, artists frequently recognize the value of interaction and feedback from colleagues during the creative process and so encourage such inputs. For the works in this exhibit, the form of the collaboration has varied, but as artist Moses Pinkerton points out, “With collaboration, the outcome is more than the sum of the inputs of the participants, because these dynamic interactions take the work in directions it would never have gone otherwise.”

LCA members Nancy Saul and Ruth Fredericks worked together to create the basic image of a large mixed media portrait. Now Fredericks is doing most of the painting, and Saul will provide vintage embellishments to finish the piece. In contrast, Pinkerton and Lacey Mei are working simultaneously on an acrylic painting, with challenges of conflicting schedules determining the pace of work.

Alice Ferguson and Cheryl Spove are constructing a three dimensional piece in ceramic, with a theme revealing how women of mythology can relate to our current social situation. “As artists we had our own ideas we wished to convey,” explains Spove. “Now we are working in sequential stages, sharing ideas as we go.”

Bev Noble and Pam Moriearty gave each other access to their nature photographs. Each artist chose an image from the partner’s photo archive as inspiration to create a painting of the subject.

Jason Hoffman is presenting two large paintings, each the fruit of the collaboration of up to 30 adults and youngsters who attended First Friday events on the Square this summer.

Another large canvas with contributions from about 15 artist colleagues is still a work in progress, and gallery visitors will be able to add their marks to the canvas. Hoffman and Moriearty are also collaborating on several 3-D works in metal and mixed media. “I am learning so much from this collaboration,” says Moriearty. “Jason is a terrific metal sculptor and a very patient teacher.”

After opening night, the show will be available for viewing by chance or appointment until October 31. For an appointment, people may call Pinkerton at 217-651-8355. Also available at the Collaboration opening will be information on LCA’s November Holiday Show and Sale. For that exhibit, nonmembers can also show artworks by paying a small display fee. Anyone interested in doing this should contact Pinkerton or Mitch Douglas (630-890-1318) for more information.

[Pamela Moriearty]