New exhibits opening May 28 at Bloomingdale Park District Museum
On Saturday, May 28, the Bloomingdale Park District Museum will open its "Outcry: Voice from the Earth" and "Viewpoints" exhibits.
In Gallery I, artist Suzanne Garnier Layer, a 49-year resident of Bloomingdale, will show "Outcry: Voices from the Earth," her vision of our possible world related to climate change.
Gallery II will host a juried multimedia show entitled "Viewpoints" with a theme of artwork pertaining to challenges facing society today.
These two shows open Saturday, May 28, and run through June 25. A reception is planned for Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the museum, 108 Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale. All are welcome to attend.
During the shows, the museum is open Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m., and Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
Suzanne Garnier Layer's show "Outcry" was created after a discussion on climate change with her family.
Concerned with the damage being inflicted upon the earth, her daughter-in-law suggested creating artwork to make her concern visible, and her son, a poet, offered to accompany her visions with his poetry. She would go on to create this exhibit on climate change, using the Voice of Mother Earth and the Voices of Great Women with their quotes on personal responsibility.
Her paintings are all mixed-media work, featuring a wide variety of media in one painting, or just a few in another. Using tissue paper, glue, fabric, foil, acrylics, colored inks, spackle, transfer imagery, stencils, crackle medium - "you name it, I will use it!" is her philosophy - a painting on canvas is formed.
Garnier Layer states, "The adventure of creating an image that portrays my feelings, emotions and thoughts is my goal. Incorporating these mediums gives me so much freedom to explore, to learn, and ultimately create an image that is successful."
She also creates fiber paintings, in which she uses encaustic paints on fabric, dyes, colored pencil, applique, and free-motion embroidery to create an image.
The related show "Viewpoints" in Gallery II, will feature 2D and 3D artwork submitted by area artists, and juried by Lake Park High School art faculty member Frank Matas.
Matas also will award cash prizes and ribbons to the winning entries. The mixed-media artwork will encompass a variety of global issues, including health, technology, pollution, environment, communication or social concerns while being family-friendly.
This showcase is designed to inspire dialogue, solutions and consideration, as we face the future with hope and uncertainty.
Stop by for a visit and be inspired by this artwork. For information, call the museum at (630) 339-3570.