Arts on Main

Community Arts Center in Gloucester, Virginia

Animalia Exhibition

First Friday returns! We are happy to announce that Arts on Main will be open for First Friday on August 7th. Our format has changed in order to make sure that everyone stays safe and healthy!

You are invited to an exclusive private viewing of the ANIMALIA exhibition featuring artists

Katherine Maloney and Ryan Lytle.

Viewing slots are: 5pm-5:45pm, 6pm-6:45pm and 7pm-7:45pm. 

August 7, 2020

20 guests are allowed per slot, please call the gallery to reserve yours! Slots are available on a First Come, First Serve basis. Complimentary beverages and snacks

Live music provided by Dragonfly Grove

Started in 2017 by co-founders Logan LeBlond and Jay Valentine, Dragonfly Grove is a unique experience for both musicians and casual listeners alike. They are redefining what the definition of a band truly is. Due to the perpetual filtering in-and-out of diverse musicians, they constantly grow and evolve their captivating sound.

 

 

 

 

 

The show opens on July 22nd and features artists Katherine Maloney and Ryan Lytle

Katherine Maloney Double Egret

Katherine Maloney was born and still calls home is her family’s organic farm in Tidewater Virginia, where daily interactions with plants and animals cause a sense of wonder and connection to the landscape. Her current work draws on this personal story of belonging, while responding to an increasing need for respect and consideration of the natural environment and the species who are inhabitants. In her practice, she sculpts realistic animals who correspond and integrate with vessels and altered forms. Each animal is presented in a position of honor and integrity, aiming to invoke an introspective response while the corresponding vessel serves as a stage and invites human interaction. Using porcelain and stoneware, each piece is wheel thrown, altered, sculpted and carved. Firing in both electric and wood kilns, she attempts to accentuate qualities of preciousness through glaze application or spontaneity of ash and flame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Lytle, Hard to Swallow

Ryan Lytle. Whether it is pets, in nature, films and cartoons, mythology, he has always been drawn to animals. As a kid he had an extensive stuffed animal collection. These fascinations of animal archetypes, images and myths have resurfaced as visual vocabulary in his work. His works are primarily created through the process of needle felting. Needle felting is done by compressing raw wool with a barbed needle into a form. Every area is stabbed hundreds of times with a single needle until the desired density is formed. This medium allows him to sculpt works within a surreal space that is both disarming and inviting.

 

 

Meet the Artist: Ryan Lytle

Opening on July 22nd, our new exhibit, “Animalia”, will feature the work of 3-dimensional artists Ryan Lytle and Katherine Maloney. This week we’ll introduce you to the work of Ryan Lytle and give you a peek into his studio.

“Whether it is pets, in nature, films and cartoons, mythology, I have always been drawn to animals. As a kid I had an extensive stuffed animal collection. These fascinations of animal archetypes, images and myths have resurfaced as visual vocabulary in my work.”

“My works are primarily created through the process of needle felting. There is a comfort that is embedded in the nostalgic material. Needle felting is done by compressing raw wool with a barbed needle into a form. Every area is stabbed hundreds of times with a single needle until the desired density is formed.  This medium allows me to sculpt works within a surreal space that is both disarming and inviting.”

“Although I mostly work with wool and felting, I also experiment with other materials. Typically, I am drawn to fiber-based techniques, but recently I’ve been working with 3D printing as well. I have been learning how 3D printing operates so that I could incorporate the process into my 3D design courses at CNU. Currently, I have converted about half of my studio over to producing face shield visors for hospitals. The university has been very supportive and generous with their equipment and materials.”

“Aside from the printing, my studio has been busy with finishing up work for a show projected for June at the PFAC. It is a lot of rabbits, and I’ve been creating an eight-foot moon rug with a rug tufting machine. It should turn out to be one of my more ambitious projects to date.”

“For the show at Arts on Main I am planning to show some of my more experimental pieces and I am excited to see how they work together alongside Katherine Maloney’s work.”