A refugium is an ecological term for a protected place where organisms can survive cataclysmic events. Nature has served as a refuge for artists and inspired their work for many centuries. 

The four artists in this invitational exhibit nurture practices informed both by nature and their faith. While creation’s beauty can serve as a refuge, for these exhibiting artists it ultimately points to a higher place of security.

Through the beauty of this exhibit, viewers will glean wisdom about where to look for refuge in times of great upheaval and change. 

Please join us this First Friday for a special artist panel discussion on nature, faith, and creative practice. 

Panel discussion begins at 6:30 PM. 

Nicholas Clark’s work is a direct reflection of his optimistic personality. From vivid oranges to metallic silvers and golds highlighted by passionate reds, his art displays a mastery of color that cannot be taught. His mediums vary from acrylics to oils and focus on creating depth through layering and application of rich texture. As Clark notes, “I pull my inspiration from fashion family, friends and music and I love working with figures because they are always so challenging — the detail of a hand, the curves of a body and the capturing of natural movement and expression.

“My journey as an artist began with the simplest of mediums; blank paper, pencil, and pen. I quickly discovered my attraction to something I consider both cathartic and magical; the transformation of a blank sheet of paper into something aesthetically pleasing, a work of art, an 8 x 11” window of beauty in our oftentimes mundane world. Over time, the introduction of acrylics, oils, and watercolors into my work only further enhanced this process, and resultantly began my chromatic passion. Color is now the key to my creative process, and is something that remains constant throughout the continuous variance of my subject matter. Through the manipulation of color, both in its’ absence and abundance, I am able to most purely express myself and establish an authentic, personal connection with all of my artwork.”

Mark Housel a Kansas native, currently in Parsons KS, has always drawn. He cannot recall a time he did not. Painting followed in his teens. Pottery came late for some reason, despite an interest in ceramics, it was only in 2022 that he began learning about clay. From the first there was a connection. The wheel, that took time.

Mark’s work is functional, everyday pottery. Working in porcelain and stoneware he is exploring the form along with the firing. Woodfiring, soda firing, and oxidation. What can each bring to the table. The community it takes to even make it possible is just as important. Mark has taken classes and workshops at the KC Clay Guild, and recently began participating in the woodfiring’s at Big Magic Anagama in Spring Hill Kansas. Mark has been minimizing glaze application to show off the clay body and environmental
reactions. There is so much to discover in each and Mark is excited to keep learning more.

Paige Ledom is an artist based in Kansas City. Once a painter, she traded in her paint brush for scissors to create intricately arranged collages using everyday materials, like paint swatches, cardboard, aluminum foil, painted paper, cut up photographs, product packaging and whatever else she finds interesting to envision new possibilities for these materials we interact with on a daily basis. Many initially mistake her work for a painting when walking by, but upon closer inspection are in for a surprise when they begin to recognize some of the materials used to create the art.

Ledom focuses on subjects and scenes from everyday life, depicting each one in great detail feels like a meditation on each one. Slowly building up the surface, reflecting on what brings us joy and what we are inexplicably drawn to.

https://www.paigeledomstudio.com/

ART OPENING RECEPTION — Open Studio/Gallery – FIRST FRIDAY – OCTOBER 3rd — Landscape Paintings by Anne Garney – 4:30PM – 8PM — 1920 Wyandotte St., Unit 5, KCMO 64108 (entrance — NW corner of the building)

Hope you can stop by!

www.annegarneypaintings.com