Pet passion
Juried
art exhibit to open
to all artists at Gallery 104
Multi-media
show ‘Animal Attraction’
on display at studio
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
(March 2010) – La Grange, Ky., artist Cheri
Grinnell considers her creative talent an integral part of who she really
is. When not creating a piece of artwork, she feels stifled and a little
frustrated – setbacks that art can quickly cure.
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Photo
provided Cheri
Grinnell |
As a versatile artist, Grinnell has worked in various
mediums over the years, including graphite, charcoal, folded paper,
ink and acrylic. “I first got my hands into clay 10 years ago and
fell in love with the medium,” she said. “I like the freedom
of hand building as opposed to wheel and, with clay, I can use my color
sense, drawing and design abilities all in one medium.”
Grinnell, 50, has always been creative and said she has “been drawing
for as long as I can remember.” Originally from Southern California,
Grinnell moved to Oldham County 41/2 years ago.
She will be one of many local artists featured in “Animal Attraction,”
a juried art exhibit sponsored by the Arts Association of Oldham County.
The exhibit will be on display from March 23 to May 14 at Gallery 104,
located on Main Street in La Grange. A private awards reception will
be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 1, for association members,
exhibiting artists, show sponsors and their guests.
Open to all artists, this multi-media show will feature pets and favorite
animal companions. Prizes of $300, $200 and $100 will be awarded for
first-, second- and third-place winners. A People’s Choice award
will be voted on by the public.
“Whether it involves a pet or creatures we are simply attracted
to, animals play a special role in our lives,” said Terri Miller,
co-chair of “Animal Attraction.” The exhibit’s juror
and judge, J. Barry Motes, will select all artwork for this exhibit.
Motes is an art professor and head of the Fine Arts Department at Jefferson
Community and Technical College in Louisville.
As a result of such a show, Miller said she appreciates having new and
returning visitors to Gallery 104. “I hope that visitors will continue
to discover and appreciate the talent of our regional artists and the
variety of events and art on exhibit at the Gallery. Animal lovers in
particular will enjoy the show.”
In conjunction with the exhibit, a special donation will be made from
the arts association to the Oldham County Humane Society’s Spay-Neuter
Clinic in memory of Pat Crotty, former board member and volunteer.
“While the Arts Association is a non-profit organization itself,
we wanted to provide some awareness and support for the Humane Society
of Oldham County,” said Miller.
Kathy Dowling, Executive Director of the arts association and Gallery
104, was acquainted with Crotty from the former Oldham County chapter
of Business and Professional Women. “She was a dedicated and active
member who was always the first on the scene to help with our annual
Fall Ball fundraiser.”
Like Crotty, Grinnell is intensely interested in the arts. “I have
always enjoyed art,” she said.
Grinnell, who is also the association’s featured artist for the
month of March, minored in Art at the University of Colorado. She received
her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Louisville.
She frequently attends workshops to keep her artwork and techniques
vibrant and fresh.
“I also write poetry,” said Grinnell, who is currently working
on assembling a book of poems written for her 9-year-old daughter, Maddie.
Maddie is also an artist, and Grinnell has encouraged her to use art
as an outlet.
When Grinnell’s husband died of cancer in July 2009, “Art
helped me deal with my feelings of anger and helplessness.” Art
has been “a source of comfort, a way to channel my grief in a positive
way.”
Grinnell draws on an experience from junior high school to explain her
relationship with art. She had a home economics teacher that would ring
a bell when the class got too loud or out of control. The class would
often put gum in the bell so the teacher couldn’t ring it.
“It frustrated her to no end,” said Grinnell about her teacher.
“Without my art, I feel as though there is gum in my bell. I am
a very intense person, emotionally, and art is where I can constructively
release those feelings.”
She is currently building up her inventory so that she can participate
in more shows. “Juried shows interest me as it is a good way to
get the opinions of your peers as well as challenge yourself to do things
you might not do otherwise,” Grinnell said.
• For more information on “Animal Attraction,” contact the Arts Association of Oldham County or Gallery 104 at (502) 222-3822 or visit: www.aaooc.org.