“The Art of Recycling,” a juried exhibit of artwork incorporating recycled materials, will open Feb. 27 at the Arts of Kenmore Gallery in Kenmore City Hall. The public is invited to the opening reception from 6:30-8 p.m. featuring a presentation by Gay Jensen, an award-winning fiber artist from Seattle.
Ten Pacific Northwest artists were invited to exhibit work following a vigorous competition: Staci Adman, Jim Carroll, Peggy Champin, Katherine Holzknecht, Gay Jensen, Roxine McQuitty, Rodney Smith, Laurie Williams, Cyndi Wolfe and Joe Wuts.
The new exhibit showcases a wide range of style and application in artworks containing at least 70 percent recycled materials. “The Art of Recycling” is the latest in a series of five exhibitions mounted throughout the year by Arts of Kenmore, a nonprofit organization that also puts on the annual Kenmore Art show at Bastyr University in June.
“We think of recycle-reuse-repurpose as the new ‘Eco Age’ to preserve our natural resources and save the planet, but artisans have been recycling glass, fiber and ceramic shards since ancient times,” according to Sara Solum Hayashi, the exhibit’s curator. “The Dada Art movement first influenced the use of ‘ready-made’ objects into constructed art more than 100 years ago. Reworking found objects becomes experimental and instinctive rather than purposeful as with brush and canvas. Today’s environmentally conscious artist looks beyond the distinctive quality or original purpose of found materials to reveal the unexpected. This exhibit showcases the endless possibilities modern artists use to incorporate recycled materials. We welcomed works into this exhibit that ventured beyond traditional approaches and into captivating compositions.”
Jensen, the evening’s presenter, has devoted more than three decades to exploring, teaching, and writing on the expressive qualities of cloth. She will discuss her approach to manipulating fabric and found objects into thoughtful artworks that engage the mind and speak to the spirit.
An avid bird-watcher, Jensen is especially fond of crows, which often appear in her work. The artist is influenced by a variety of surface design techniques that incorporate weaving, painting, quilting, collage, printing, photography. Her honors include a “Merit Award” at the Northwest Collage Society Spring Exhibit in 2010, the “Jurors Award” at the Fall Show of the Northwest Collage Society in 2008 and “Best of Show Award” at the Best of the Northwest in 2007. In 1993, she was invited to create an ornament for the White House Christmas tree.
“The Art of Recycling,” which runs through April 30, is made possible by sustaining support from the city of Kenmore and 4Culture and additional support from Republic Services.
The current exhibit highlights the Inglemoor High School Instrumental Music program, a 2014 recipient of the Arts of Kenmore Grants for Schools and the city of Kenmore Arts Fund. This exhibit will remain on display through Feb. 25.
The Arts of Kenmore mission is to promote art in the Kenmore community. Among other things, the AOK Grants for Schools has provided funds to six public schools in the Kenmore area for art materials, arts instruction, music instruments, and a variety of field trips at all grade levels.
For more information, visit www.artsofkenmore.org. or contact info@artsofkenmore.org
