On First Friday, July 7th the Gadsden Museum of Art will have a reception for two incoming installations: Much to Discuss by Mary Dunn and Dig Deep, Rise Up by Laurie Popp. Ironic Design will continue to be displayed in the First Floor Main Gallery.
A mixed media installation by Mary Dunn will be on display in the Second Floor Gallery during July and August. Dunn has always had an “innate desire to visually record moments in time.” Her artwork started as figurative paintings and drawings, but she now incorporates other materials in a textile-based approach. Much to Discuss will feature in-house murals and crocheted pieces. Crochet stirs memories of time spent in quiet moments with family and friends and references a history of service and gift-giving. The action of crochet is also metaphorical – many loops suggest a community of individuals who, together, make a whole. Repetitive, tedious action leaves a record of invested time and labor. Her portfolio and contact information can be found on her website, marybdunn.com.
The works of Laurie Popp will be featured in our Leo Reynolds Gallery during this time. Her exhibit, Dig Deep Rise Up is a mixed media art installation featuring three-dimensional interactive works. Popp studied Materials Engineering and creates art in several mediums to tell the stories of the animals and their spaces that fill her life on her farm in Tennessee. Popp says in her artist statement: “The natural world, it’s where we come from, it’s where we will return. As it goes so do we. Let’s take care of it.” See more about Laurie and her work on her website, lauriepopp.com.
Remaining on display in our First Floor Main Gallery is Ironic Design, curated by Blake Dodgen. This exhibit features submissions from all over the United States and offers a glimpse into different humor from different demographics and how it contributes to contemporary design.
Exhibits are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact museum staff at (256) 546-7365.