Arts Showcase
Arts Association of O.C. presents
two art events in November
‘Persona – The Mask’ and ‘Artistique’
coming to La Grange
LA GRANGE, Ky. (November 2015) – Artist Cheri Grinnell has been creating masks for a long time. It began as simple Halloween costumes but expanded into the distinctive artwork she is known for today.
“I went back to school in my late 30s,” for more training, said Grinnell. While she had always been interested in art, “there was no structure to it.”
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Grinnell has worked in various mediums over the years, including graphite, charcoal, folded paper, ink and acrylic. Originally from southern California, she moved to Oldham County in 2005.
She has put a lot of time into her artwork and has been a featured artist of the month for Gallery 104 in La Grange. Grinnell, 55, minored in Art at the University of Colorado and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Louisville.
Grinnell is the winner of the recent Arts Association of Oldham County-sponsored, “Persona – The Mask” art show. Her winning piece of artwork is titled, “The Masks We Wear.”
Grinnell had actually previously created the mask for herself. She entered three pieces in the art show and a second mask won Honorable Mention.
There will be an opening reception for art association members, first place artist winners and invited guests from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Gallery 104. At approximately 6 p.m., the Best of Show winners will be announced. “We will then present the Oldham Award of Excellence to State Sen. Ernie Harris for all he has done for the arts and our county,” said association member Marion Gibson.
Grinnell’s winning mask is a representation of the different aspects of an individual’s personality. “You don’t always know people as well as you think you do,” she said. “Situations change people.”
She prefers to work in ceramics, saying the medium “combines all skills, such as painting, drawing, etc.” She describes her work as semi-abstract, saying, “I never know what I will get until I work on a piece.”
Grinnell, who also works at the Oldham County Public Library as an Assistant Outreach Librarian, said, “The Arts Association has a great presence in the community. I would like to see more people support the arts.” She also encourages local artists to get out and participate in the organization’s events.
“Persona - The Mask” art show will be on display at Gallery 104 until Nov. 14. There were 31 entries and all are on display. Most are for sale, said Brenda Marks, who recently replaced Kathy Dowling as the arts association’s executive director.
The organization tries to have many shows throughout the year for artists and is playing host to “Oldham Arts on CityPlace” on Nov. 14-15. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. CityPlace is located at 112 S. First Ave. in La Grange. Attendees are urged to bring a can good to benefit Our Daily Bread Ministries.
The show will consist of “60 booths with 69 or more artists from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio and more,” said Gibson, the Show Chair. Membership in the arts association is not required to participate.
“Artists did have to jury in and jewelry was restricted to a maximum of 15 booths so there will be a nice balance as well as quality,” Gibson said. Ribbons will be awarded to first through third place in nine categories as well as $350 for Best of Show. First place winners are given a free booth at the 2016 show.
The show’s venue has changed for 2015 and will not be held at Quality Place in Buckner but rather at CityPlace in La Grange. Also on hand will be Pollo Food Trucks, providing burgers, grilled and fried chicken, sides and drinks.