“I highly recommend you see this show – all of it – live and in person. You’ll thank me.” Dottie Shinn, Akron Beacon Journal

image: Insomnia block print (detail)

Sunday morning’s coffee tasted like a gourmet brew when paired with the hot-off-the-press review of Upstairs Downstairs – Works of Art from the Penthouse in the Akron Beacon Journal article, Work of eight artists showcased. In considering this exhibit of work from the Summit Artspace studio artists Dottie Shinn, art and architecture critic, wrote, “It’s also the first time the resident artists have shown together. They should do it more often, for they have created a strong and delightful show.”

Writing about my prints from the ongoing series, As Potent as a Charm, Ms. Shinn stated: “Also highly desirable, being wonderfully conceived and executed, are Colbert’s linoleum block prints . . . Her mischievous take on indiscreet monks, wayward wolves and dallying maidens makes for a dark-humored tripartite tryst . . .” I think I’m just as pleased with her descriptive phrasing as I am with the positive comments!

Summit Artspace artists take the show on the road and head west . . .

The eight studio artists at Summit Artspace are exhibiting together in a collective show at St. Paul’s Gallery through the end of the year. Although the artists’ media, subject matter and styles vary, the artwork and the artists work well together, filling the spacious, windowed gallery with color and creativity. Participating artists are Connie Bloom, Bradley Hart, Terry Klausman, Carolyn Lewis, Cari Miller, Katina Pastis Radwanski, Ron White and Joan Colbert.

The opening reception was held on Sunday, November 10 – thanks to the gallery committee for all of their work and to parishioners, friends and art-lovers for attending!

Cari Miller snapped this photo of Katina and me during the reception.

Thanks to both Katina and Cari for the use of their photos below:

Postcard design by Cari Miller; Summit Artspace image by David Bryan Lile.

When Dan Coffield decided to name his printmaking exhibit First Impressions he used the line, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” originally from Will Rogers or maybe Oscar Wilde or possibly Mark Twain. No matter whose quote, it’s good advice.

It’s also a good thing to keep in mind when installing a gallery show – the initial look of the overall space is as important as the individual elements. Dan did a fine job selecting the artists and arranging all of the printmakers work – the fine review from Dorothy Shinn in the Akron Beacon Journal was well deserved:

“It was important for me to make sure that First Impressions showed how versatile, flexible and creative printmakers really are,” Coffield said.

He has done an excellent job at that. From Joan Colbert’s meticulous notations on her “mnemonic” aphorisms, to Pamela Testa’s demonstration of how she went about printing the American Elm in Relief, to Charles Beneke’s essay on global warming, we are given key insights into the mind of the contemporary printer.”

On a personal note, I couldn’t be more pleased with the commentary on my work:

“Colbert, whose work is as always clear-eyed as well as deceptively charming, offers us a means to an end.

She writes: “There’s a bit of whimsy in this mnemonic of the symptoms that, in combination, could indicate an atropine overdose — possibly the effects of ingesting poisonous members of the Nightshade family.”

The mnemonic happens to be the titles of her prints: Hot as a Hare, Blind as a Bat, Dry as a Bone, Red as a Beet and Mad as a Hatter. Each is done as a linocut block print, and consists of wonderfully drawn and printed images of the titular object.”

Dorothy Shinn writes about art and architecture for the Akron Beacon Journal. The full review, accompanied by images, can be read here.