The Gallery at Chapin
presents
Valerie
Bowe
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DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY -
Beverly
Fredericks
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SCULPTURE -
March
31 - May 2, 2008
Opening Reception for the Artists
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Valerie Bowe
Ms. Bowe has been a
photographer and sculptor since the 1970’s. She has
participated in numerous juried shows in both media.
Her photography has been viewed at the Mercer
County Photography 2007 exhibit, Mercer County Community
College; TAWA Members’ Exhibit, Ellarslie, Trenton;
Salon de Reuses, Ellarslie Open XXV, Trenton;
Voices for the Marsh, Ellarslie, Trenton;
14th Annual Phillips Mill Photographic
Exhibition, New Hope;
Focus on Sculpture 2006, Grounds for Sculpture,
Hamilton; and
Photography 24, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown.
“In
the 1970’s I began my journey as a sculptor and painter,
developing an extensive exhibition history that includes
galleries and museums in many areas of the United
States.” stated Ms. Bowe. During much of that time, for
my own pleasure, I was also taking snapshots of just about
everything. It was something like keeping a visual diary
– whether ordinary or extraordinary, some things just
cried out to be captured. I can’t explain why this is
so, but I do know that by recording those certain moments
I get great satisfaction in knowing I can return to them
again and again. I
took a hiatus from making fine art and for a time worked
commercially in graphic design.
With the digital revolution came a change in me.
While updating my graphic design skills to be computer
compatible, I embraced the new way of photographing and
printing – digital photography! Armed with my digital
camera I have since been exploring many themes:
landscapes, urban scenes, nature, to name a few, all the
while being sensitive to the texture all around me. The
photographs for the exhibit at Chapin School were taken in
the Anza-Borrego Desert which is located in California,
east of San Diego, where I had the good fortune to be in
March, 2005. The
desert can be a beautiful place, especially so in
wildflower season. That
year the timing of rainfall and temperatures made it one
of the best Springs ever for wildflower blooms.”
Beverly
Fredericks
Ms.
Fredericks received her MA from Columbia University and
has also studied in numerous Fine Art schools including
New York Academy of Fine Art, Frudakis Academy of Fine
Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, National Academy of
Design, Art Students League, and the School of Visual
Arts. She has
been the recipient of numerous awards and honors: 2006
Ellarslie Open XXIV, Best in Show, Mixed Media; 2001
American Artists Professional League, President’s Award;
1995 Sculpture Honor Award, Academic Artists -45th
National Exhibition, Springfield, MA to name just a few.
In addition to participating in juried shows
throughout the northern New Jersey and New York area, she
has had solo exhibitions at the Studio Gallery in
Hopewell, George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, Mercer
County Community College in West Windsor, and Grover Mill
Graphics in Princeton Junction.
“The
impetus for this body of work emanates from the natural
world,” explains Ms. Fredericks.
“Animals as a source of inspiration provide a
multitude of considerations for the artist. After the
initial research, which includes films, zoos, anatomy
texts, photos and studies of works by animaliers, the
posture of the animal is then determined. Together with
the realistic components, the artistic interpretations,
and the spirit of the animal, the sculpture takes on a
life of its own.”
In
addition to the opening reception, the Children's Book
Illustrators' Exhibition can be viewed during school hours by calling
the Chapin Business Office at 609-924-2644.
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