UUSRQ Lexow Wing Gallery
Art Exhibit Featuring Art by UUSRQ Members
On Exhibit through December 12th
Please stop in the Lexow Gallery to see how some of our fellow congregation members view our world and what they have shared with us. Their great variety of mediums and styles will amaze you. The Arts Council thanks each of the participating artists for their contribution, and we hope their work inspires you! The exhibit will be up through December 12th.
All purchases are made between the artist and the buyer. The church office is not involved at all. Simply get in touch with the artist using the contact information shown along with their artwork. The artists then donate a percentage of every sale back to our UU community.
Gallery Hours:
Sunday 10 AM to 1 PM
Tuesday through Friday 10 AM to 1 PM
Gallery is free to all
Gallery Hours:
Sunday 10 AM to 1 PM
Tuesday through Friday 10 AM to 1 PM
Gallery is free to all
Learn More About the
UUSRQ Arts Council
Chair, Linda Cordisco - [email protected]
Our church and its members have a rich history of support and involvement in the arts. The mission of the Arts Council is to provide Members and Friends of the Church avenues for artistic expression and appreciation. The Lexow Wing of the Church was designed as a gallery to help fulfill this mission. We are proud of the artistic endeavors of our members and others in the community who exhibit their work in the Gallery.
Membership in the UUCS Arts Council is open to all Church Members and Friends with an interest in the arts and a desire to share that interest with others. We meet the first Saturday of every month at 1:00 pm in the Lexow Gallery. Come share cultural information, help research artists, set up and promote exhibits, help preserve the aesthetic heritage of the Church, and have some fun in the process.
Above all, enjoy the wonderful art exhibits in the Lexow Wing Gallery brought to us through the efforts of the Arts Council!
Current Arts Council members include: Joan Boyce, Mary Brand, Carol Buck, Laura Campbell, Sally Coler, Kathy Cook, Gail Coppock, Linda Cordisco (Chair), Judy Croce, Bet Cummings, Cathy Cyrus, Susan Davy, Donald Diddams, Marvin Fields, Laura Glady, Peg Green, Judi Hennard, Marjorie Henry, Monica Jardot, Sue Kennedy, Pamela LaRocque, Arlene Leven, Kathleen Konicek-Moran, Holly Wynne O'Brien, Rick Randall, Enid Romanek, Cyndy Rosso, Rhoda Taylor, Penny Soldatos, and Betsy Wilford. See some of us in the picture below.
Membership in the UUCS Arts Council is open to all Church Members and Friends with an interest in the arts and a desire to share that interest with others. We meet the first Saturday of every month at 1:00 pm in the Lexow Gallery. Come share cultural information, help research artists, set up and promote exhibits, help preserve the aesthetic heritage of the Church, and have some fun in the process.
Above all, enjoy the wonderful art exhibits in the Lexow Wing Gallery brought to us through the efforts of the Arts Council!
Current Arts Council members include: Joan Boyce, Mary Brand, Carol Buck, Laura Campbell, Sally Coler, Kathy Cook, Gail Coppock, Linda Cordisco (Chair), Judy Croce, Bet Cummings, Cathy Cyrus, Susan Davy, Donald Diddams, Marvin Fields, Laura Glady, Peg Green, Judi Hennard, Marjorie Henry, Monica Jardot, Sue Kennedy, Pamela LaRocque, Arlene Leven, Kathleen Konicek-Moran, Holly Wynne O'Brien, Rick Randall, Enid Romanek, Cyndy Rosso, Rhoda Taylor, Penny Soldatos, and Betsy Wilford. See some of us in the picture below.
Click on the artwork below to view members' online displays of art:
Recent Exhibits
“Seven Days in Paris” by photographer Brian V. Jones
and
Handmade Jewelry by Janice Appel
On Exhibit through November 14th
"Seven Days in Paris", is an exhibit of photographs Brian V. Jones made while exploring Paris, France. Brian says, "Paris has been the destination of my dreams since childhood. I marveled at the experiences of authors, musicians and visual artists who found freedom and enchantment on Parisian streets. This experience was enchanting and invigorating. Viewed from Sarasota and the backdrop of all things American, Paris seemed worlds away. However, once there I found it to be all I had hoped for and more. There is a palpable energy that fills the senses with wonder. I trust these images will amply share my experience of walking the streets of Paris, cameras in hand, realizing a dream deferred."
Brian V. Jones is a documentary style, fine art photographer. Residing in Sarasota, Florida he is an adjunct professor in the Liberal Arts Program at the Ringling College of Art and Design, works in public radio and maintains a photography practice. Jones has exhibited extensively. His work is collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research In Black Culture, University of Maryland/Baltimore County and Colgate University. His work is included in a number of private collections. Jones is now exhibiting in Sarasota, FL .
Brian V. Jones is a documentary style, fine art photographer. Residing in Sarasota, Florida he is an adjunct professor in the Liberal Arts Program at the Ringling College of Art and Design, works in public radio and maintains a photography practice. Jones has exhibited extensively. His work is collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research In Black Culture, University of Maryland/Baltimore County and Colgate University. His work is included in a number of private collections. Jones is now exhibiting in Sarasota, FL .
Handmade Jewelry by Janice Appel
Artist Janice Appel says that "for as far back that I can remember, I have loved the arts! I always gravitated to artistic endeavors where I can use my hands and body to explore and create...All of creations are handmade, unique and one-of-a-kind. I use sterling silver, argentium, and various alloys of gold. To embellish my designs, I use semi precious stones, old coins and organic found pieces. I also use small diamonds on some of my designs. My metals are formed by different techniques of texturing, that I have learned throughout the years. I love taking my designs from conception to completion; it is a most rewarding experience! ... Learning never stops!!"
Vibrant Florals
by Jill Krasner
On Exhibit through October 17th
Artist Jill Krasner’s most exciting collection of water-media florals – brilliant colors and unique still life arrangements make this show a must see! These beautiful paintings are available as originals, or as museum quality Giclees on archival watercolor paper or canvas and in a variety of popular sizes.
Jill Krasner is a well-known local artist. Learn more about her work on her website, the Jill Krasner Gallery.
Jill Krasner is a well-known local artist. Learn more about her work on her website, the Jill Krasner Gallery.
Arts Council Members Exhibit
On Exhibit through September 12th
An exhibit of art works by members of the UUSRQ Arts Council is now open for viewing in the Lexow Wing Gallery. Please stop in to learn about our members and their talents, and see the variety of mediums and styles they use in creating and communicating through their art.
The exhibit will be up through September 12th. Don’t miss it!
The exhibit will be up through September 12th. Don’t miss it!
“It’s Primary” by Liz Cole
On Exhibit through June 13th
"It's Primary" is a vibrant exploration of the elemental power of color in art. Liz Cole has created a collection of paintings that invites viewers to experience the energy and intensity of red, yellow and blue, as well as the rich nuances created when these colors are combined. The result is a body of narrative works done in her signature style of acrylic and handmade collage.
Liz Cole is a storyteller with a paintbrush, who reaches back into memory moments and brings them into her paintings. Known for her intense colors and handmade collage, she brings joy and energy to the whimsical narratives she paints. Her paintings have layers of color and patterns of markings that invite the viewer into an imaginative world of images. |
She often refers to her paintings as “memory shards.” As we recall places to which we have traveled or experiences we have had, they never come back to us like a clear photo but rather a glimpse or flash of something or somewhere that is brought back to mind. These memories often become better with time and putting them into a visual context eliminates all the detail while celebrating them in a whole new way.
“I have always had a passion for color and construction since my early years of art making. Throughout my training as a painting major in college, I consistently found myself developing layered surfaces of color held together through line work and rich, subtle patterns. You will never find empty spaces in my canvases. It’s as if I need to give every inch of my painting a definitive response and a nod to its presence in my artwork”. (Read more about her here.)
“I have always had a passion for color and construction since my early years of art making. Throughout my training as a painting major in college, I consistently found myself developing layered surfaces of color held together through line work and rich, subtle patterns. You will never find empty spaces in my canvases. It’s as if I need to give every inch of my painting a definitive response and a nod to its presence in my artwork”. (Read more about her here.)
On Exhibit through May 16th
UUSRQ Members Art Exhibit
Please stop in the Lexow Gallery to see how some of your fellow congregation members see our world, what inspires them, and what they have shared with us. We hope the diversity of their work inspires you!
The Arts Council thanks each of the participating artists for their contribution. The exhibit will be up through May 16th.
The Arts Council thanks each of the participating artists for their contribution. The exhibit will be up through May 16th.
"Portrait Ukraine" by Allan Mestel
On Exhibit through April 18th
About the Exhibit
Embarking on three poignant journeys to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, photographer Allan Mestel presents a collection of images capturing the stark realities witnessed.
The Portrait Ukraine project is a testament to Mestel’s dedication to documenting history and revealing the truth about the war’s impact on Ukraine and its people. This exhibition features a comprehensive visual narrative, revealing the anguish, courage, and resilience of individuals facing heart-wrenching losses endured by countless Ukrainians. Each image in this collection is a piece of the larger tapestry, collectively weaving an authentic picture of the human experience amidst war.
The significance of the Portrait Ukraine exhibition lies in its commitment to distilling the complexities of war into individual visual stories. Through these evocative portraits, Mestel aims to forge a profound connection between the viewer and the brutal reality of the war, inviting reflection on the shared humanity that transcends borders.
As you embark on this visual journey, understand that it is ongoing. Allan Mestel is not merely presenting a snapshot in time but rather an evolving chronicle. The Portrait Ukraine project continues with another planned trip to Ukraine in the first half of 2024, ensuring that the world remains informed and connected to the ongoing struggles and triumphs of the Ukrainian people.
Follow this link to read more about the Portrait Ukraine project.
The Portrait Ukraine project is a testament to Mestel’s dedication to documenting history and revealing the truth about the war’s impact on Ukraine and its people. This exhibition features a comprehensive visual narrative, revealing the anguish, courage, and resilience of individuals facing heart-wrenching losses endured by countless Ukrainians. Each image in this collection is a piece of the larger tapestry, collectively weaving an authentic picture of the human experience amidst war.
The significance of the Portrait Ukraine exhibition lies in its commitment to distilling the complexities of war into individual visual stories. Through these evocative portraits, Mestel aims to forge a profound connection between the viewer and the brutal reality of the war, inviting reflection on the shared humanity that transcends borders.
As you embark on this visual journey, understand that it is ongoing. Allan Mestel is not merely presenting a snapshot in time but rather an evolving chronicle. The Portrait Ukraine project continues with another planned trip to Ukraine in the first half of 2024, ensuring that the world remains informed and connected to the ongoing struggles and triumphs of the Ukrainian people.
Follow this link to read more about the Portrait Ukraine project.
About Allan Mestel
Allan Mestel is a photojournalist, photographer and filmmaker based in Southwest Florida. Originally from Canada, Allan spent many years working in the advertising industry in Toronto, directing national and international TV commercials for most of the major worldwide advertising agencies. He received many awards, including the Television Bureau of Canada’s ‘Gold Bessie’ awarded annually for the best TV commercial in Canada. Moving to Florida in 2014, Allan opened a commercial photography studio and began working as a photojournalist and documentary photographer. His work has been exhibited across the US, Europe, and the United Kingdom. He has dedicated thousands of hours to shooting for human rights and social justice organizations, as well as non-profit organizations. His work photographing migrants at the US-Mexico border and refugees in Ukraine has been published in major newspapers and featured on CNN, NBC, PBS, FRONTLINE and many other local and national media outlets. His work has been recognized with numerous awards in portrait and photojournalism categories. Visit allanmestel.com to learn more about his background and work.
On Exhibit through March 15th
I photograph what I come across in my walking-around, everyday life. Using my intuition–and because I have my camera with me at all times–serendipity sometimes rewards me.
I gravitate to quiet places. I find weirdness, power and humor in our human-made artifacts–signs and symbols meant to boss us around, things in the street as beautiful as renaissance drapery, mysterious marks left by nature and people.
The scenery I happen upon can be more interesting to me than any set-up or contrivance I’ve tried. Like they say, “fact is stranger than fiction.” Sometimes I can ascribe meaning to a photograph later, sometimes it’s just a meditation.
–Laura Campbell, 2/4/2024
Click here to see more of Laura's work.
I gravitate to quiet places. I find weirdness, power and humor in our human-made artifacts–signs and symbols meant to boss us around, things in the street as beautiful as renaissance drapery, mysterious marks left by nature and people.
The scenery I happen upon can be more interesting to me than any set-up or contrivance I’ve tried. Like they say, “fact is stranger than fiction.” Sometimes I can ascribe meaning to a photograph later, sometimes it’s just a meditation.
–Laura Campbell, 2/4/2024
Click here to see more of Laura's work.
“Taking Shape” – Ceramics by Betty Gerich
Betty Gerich is a local artist well known for her tender paintings and drawings of people, and especially her ceramic sculptures.
Betty writes, “What makes one person different from anybody else? For me, it is written all over their face…The human figure is always present in my sculpture, even when the work appears very abstract in form. When I create works out of clay, I’m interested in drawing the viewer around the piece in a swirl of implied motion. In the most recent work, several faces have begun to appear, each with a distinct personality.” “Textured surfaces make the viewer want to touch these sculptures. After firing in an electric kiln, the work is finished with an acrylic patina which highlights surface textures and enhances the form adding color to the completed piece.” See more of Betty's work here. |