Into the Green: Botanical Insights

Opening Reception: August 4, 5-7pm • See it first. See it free. This event is open to the public. Come meet your neighbors at this free event!

On Display: August 4-26, 2023

Susan Martin has been fascinated by the visual richness of the botanical world since childhood. Her Botanica Series reflects this consuming interest in the variety of colors, shapes, and lines found in nature. Strong light reveals intriguing forms and textures. From the mass of plant life, Martin carves out tightly cropped compositions, eliminating unessential elements and paring down the painting subject to what first attracted her.

Though her subject matter is recognizable, her paintings are conceived and painted as abstracts. All the parts: foreground and background, positive and negaitve space, are treated as equally important.  The branches, vines, flowers, and leaves become shapes, lines, and textures which make a complex abstraction when viewed up close. The imagery is sometimes larger than life and painted in a ‘super real’ manner. The intense colors are a result of many layers of acrylic paints. Martin encourages the viewer to look closely at the painting and to imagine being a part of this private place.

In the Theatre Lobby Gallery: The First Theatre Production by Jade Griffin

“The First Theatre Production” (2023) is a collection of narrative-driven oil paintings created over this calendar year by Visual Artist Jade Griffin. This body of work crosses the boundaries of normalcy and what is acceptable. It pushes the boundaries of how we see ourselves and strangers in everyday life. Cartoonish facial features, exaggerated scenes, and extended limbs offer a new perspective on humanity through each piece. Jade’s artistic vision is influenced by George Condo’s Artificial Realism movement. Through fictional characters that are capable of being actual people with real emotions and tendencies, Jade strives to make art that defies norms. Throughout this exhibition, Jade asks, “Who are you behind closed doors when no one is looking?”, and “Who are you on the stage of life?”, “How are you presenting yourself to others?”, and “Who do you wish to become on the inside?”