Rearrangements 2024
Exhibit: February 20 — March 26, 2024
Location: Arno Maris Gallery, 2nd floor Ely Campus Center
Rearrangements features the art work of NYC artist Laura Stein. She has developed a unique process of transforming cut paper into layers of activity. The gallery is open to the public and free of charge. Bring your friends and students. Enjoy!
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. or by appointment.
Laura Stein Artist Statement
Painting with oils or acrylics was always my preferred means of expression. At a certain point, I lacked the space to paint, and switched to pencil and paper. I liked the confinement of drawing with ebony pencils on white paper, and found inspiration from the photographic compositions of Walker Evans. Later on, sparked by the work of Joseph Cornell, I began collecting printed media to use in my work.
At first, I pasted down images of objects and faces. Then I felt the need to express more immediacy and action in my work. I became drawn to the Abstract Expressionists, such as Jackson Pollock and John Chamberlain. I began to tear up the images, and discovered that each bit of paper contained its own light and dark as if it was a brushstroke of wet paint. In effect, I was turning a solid bit of paper into a liquid stroke.
I have piles of these brushstrokes in my studio. I fashion them from auction catalogs filled with silver and gold objects, porcelain, and jewelry. I use reproductions of paintings and sculptures, and glean brushstrokes from Sargent’s watercolors or from works of the “old masters”. I cut, tear, paste, and inlay new strokes and form REARRANGEMENTS of these elements, remaking them into something that is meaningful to me in the moment.
Evolution 2023
Exhibit: May 22 — May 26, 2023
Reception: May 25, 2023 from 4:30—6:30 p.m.
Greetings to all Art Alumni and Art Educators. The Arno Maris Gallery at Westfield State University invites you to participate in a very introspective venture featuring your artwork and the artwork of a student of yours who became an art educator. This could include a student of a teacher who already became an art educator or a young student who aspires to become an art teacher.
This juried art exhibit focuses on the outcome of your inspiration and honors you for your dedication to the creative spirit within.
Springfield Public Schools Student Art Show 2023
Show Runs: May 9 — May 13, 2023
Reception:
- May 9, May 10 from 11:30 a.m.—3 p.m.
- May 11—13 from 11:30 a.m.—2 p.m.
Every year we invite Springfield Public Schools to showcase their student artwork with a gallery exhibit in the Arno Maris Gallery, Ely Hall, Westfield State University. The highlight of the day is a panel discussion with student and faculty interaction as they analyze the work from Springfield Public Schools.
Westfield State University Student Art Show 2023
Exhibit: May 2 — May 5, 2023
Reception: May 4, 2023 from 4—6 p.m.
Witness the creative talents of WSU art students as they each make their statement. The Student Art Show runs annually. It gives art students a chance to showcase their work and celebrate their accomplishments. This is a juried show. Join us on May 4 from 4—6 p.m. for the reception. Enjoy and be amazed by student work.
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11:30 a.m.—2 p.m.
Wednesday 11:30 a.m.—3 p.m.
Visual Languages 2023
Reception: April 13, 2023 from 4—6 p.m.
Statement
