Guests view artwork at the opening reception for Southern Exposure: New Work Now at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County's headquarters in downtown Lake Worth, Fla., June 19. (Photo credit: Jacek Photo)
"There is plenty of room in our lives to enjoy and appreciate the wonders of art that was created centuries ago, or art that was created five minutes ago," Nichole M. Hickey said.
Hickey is manager of artist services at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, and co-curator of their latest exhibit, Southern Exposure: New Work Now, which opened to the public June 20 and is on display through Aug. 16. The exhibit incorporates visual and performance art, some work examining current international events.
"The art that reflects our current state can be utilized as a method of capturing moments of history ...," Hickey commented.
Artists Raheleh Filsoofi, left, and Linda Behar, right, explain their technique to guests during the opening reception. (Photo credit: Jacek Photo)
For New Work Now, Hickey and co-curator Jacques de Beaufort, director of Unit1 and professor of art and art history at Palm Beach State College, personally selected 17 local emerging and mid-career artists to display their work. Painting: Bjorn Davidson, Asif Hoque, Eduardo Mendieta, Henriett Anri Michel and Lisa Rockford; mixed media: Molly Aubry, Linda Behar, Raheleh Filsoofi, Jill Lavetsky and Kristin Miller Hopkins; photography: Don Fils, Monica McGivern and Nick Paliughi; sculpture: Amy Gross and Woody Othello; drawing: Andrew Gilmore; and Steve Backhus' performance and installation art.
Artist Steve Backhus tending to wheatgrass, which was part of his art installation and spoken word art at the opening reception. (Photo credit: Jacek Photo)
Founded by Alexander W. Dreyfoos in 1978, the Council is the official support agency for arts and culture in Palm Beach County, Florida; it serves nonprofit organizations, arts districts and individual artists.
Whenever I'm in downtown Lake Worth during their gallery hours, I stop by to see the work on display.
"The Council hosts four to five exhibitions in its main gallery space and approximately a dozen in our Lawrence A. Sanders Foundation Artist Resource Center," Hickey said.
She also mentioned they diversify their exhibitions as well as participating artists, "to create a new and engaging experience for our visitors."
And, it's definitely worth the visit.
Photography: Sarah 1 (36 x 44 inches; 2013) by Don Fils (photo provided)
Southern Exposure: New Work Now is on display through Aug. 16. The exhibition is free and open to the public Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit the website of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
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