Mount Memorial Art Gallery To Host ‘Iris’ ExhibitWINONA LAKE – “Through the Iris,” a touring art exhibition showcasing the work of 25 contemporary, professional female visual artists, will open Monday.
The free exhibit will be hosted in the Mount Memorial Art Gallery at Grace College, 200 Seminary Dr., Winona Lake. The opening reception will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 1, preceded by an artist talk at 6:30 p.m.
Through a variety of mediums, “Through the Iris” depicts the personal journeys and narratives of the artists, according to a news release from Grace College
“Threads of meaning weave through the work to reveal themes of home, refuge, longing, reconnection, discovery and transcendence,” said Kim M. Reiff, director of the exhibit and chair of the visual, performing, and media arts department at Grace College. “Together, the 25 artists offer the viewer a rich visual experience. We encourage the community stop by and enjoy their work.”
The catalog accompanying the exhibition includes images, artist statements and essays by artists William Catling, Sandra Bowden and Chris Anderson that expand on content, meaning and relevance of female visual artists’ work, the release states.
Catling, professor of art at Azusa Pacific University and co-curator, examines the role of women artists in the contemporary art world. Bowden, artist, collector and co-curator, offers a historical perspective of women in the arts. Anderson, award-winning artist and scholar, provides a contextual overview of her journey as an artist.
Each participating artist holds a masters of fine arts from Azusa Pacific University. The MFA program at Azusa Pacific University is the first graduate art degree within the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. It encourages students to integrate the essential elements of their faith, life and art.
As one of the first five graduates from Azusa Pacific University’s MFA program, Reiff initiated and directs “Through the Iris” to showcase the work of other MFA graduates.
“Through the Iris” is scheduled to show at the Mount Memorial Art Gallery through Oct. 7.
It will then will travel to Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, from Oct. 16 to Dec. 16, followed by presentations at Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, Texas, Feb. 19 to March 16, and George Fox University, Newberg, Ore., Aug. 27 to Sept. 28, 2018.
It will close at Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, Calif., after exhibiting from Oct. 9 to Nov. 2, 2018.
