Wilmington’s Redding Gallery, located at 800 North French Street, is pleased to present the annual Expressive Creative Soul art exhibition, which each year highlights new and emerging African-American visual artists. The Redding Gallery will host an opening reception with light refreshments on Friday, January 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. The other featured establishments in January include the Chris White Gallery, the Grand Opera House and Baby Grand Galleries, Huxley & Hiro Booksellers, and Blue Streak Gallery at Piccolina Toscana.
The Chris White Gallery, at 701 North Shipley Street, concludes its presentation of Group Configuration, an exhibit of contemporary realism by local artists Lisa Bartolozzi, Mark Bockrath, Yolanda Chetwynd, Harold Kalmus, E.M. Saniga, Stephen Tanis, and Eric van der Vlugt, curated by Rebecca Howell. The group that draws together, stays together. What began as a life drawing session between a professor and students at the University of Delaware turned into a decades-long drawing club where artistic careers sprouted and flourished. Students graduated, professors retired, new artists joined, and pencils wore down. Thirty years of drawing together has created connection and companionship through art for this community of artists who call themselves “The Group.”
Building on a tradition of life drawing, each artist has developed his or her brand of contemporary realism. Ranging from classical, bold, or transitory, these sometimes sensitive, colorful paintings and sculptures all hold a figurative sensibility as a common ancestor. Relying on authentic experiences that sometimes verge on magical realism, these artists masterfully depict mystery, politics, and humor through their work.
The public is invited to a closing reception on Friday, January 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Grand Opera House Galleries are happy to support Art Loop’s 36th year in 2024!