FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n
March 16, 2018 Art beyond sight? Exhibit offers Insights \u201cInsights is a thought-provoking exhibit which challenges the definition of an art exhibit,\u201d said Cheryl Gleason, MACC Coordinator and curator for the show. \u201cArt is for everyone and should be by everyone. Insights asks us to think about art in a new way.\u201d ###<\/p>\n LL<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2018 Contact: Cheryl Gleason (916) 273-5712 cheryl@cordovacouncil.org<\/a> Art beyond sight? Exhibit offers Insights What if you were an artist, but…<\/p>\n
\nContact: Cheryl Gleason (916) 273-5712
\ncheryl@cordovacouncil.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhat if you were an artist, but could not see? What if you were blind, but yearned to experience art?
\nThose are questions explored by \u201cInsights: Art Beyond the Eyes,\u201d opening at The MACC (Mills Station Arts and Culture Center) Wednesday, March 21 for a four-day exhibit, open to the public. Admission is free of charge.
\nInsights is being presented in cooperation with the California Council of the Blind, which is meeting in Rancho Cordova March 22-25 for its state convention.
\nThe exhibit includes the works of nine artists who are low vision or blind, and the works of three sighted artists, created with low or no vision art lovers in mind.
\nFeatured will be artists Alice Wingwall (photographer, sculptor, film), Angela Palmer (ceramicist, Mosaics), Noel Runyan (mixed media using computer parts and lapidary), Jennifer Justice (woodwork), Laura Legendary (braille jewelry), George Wurtzel (woodwork), Sheela Gunn-Cushman (Jewelry), Deborah Kent-Stein (sculptor) and Robin Patche (mixed media), who have excelled in art even though they do not have the advantage of excellent eyesight.
\nArtists Garey Porter, Michele Burr and Lyla Paakkanen will be exhibiting works created for enjoyment by the blind \u2013 tactile pieces which run contrary to the old art exhibit dictum of \u201cDon\u2019t Touch the Art.\u201d In this case, it\u2019s mandatory.
\nFor example, Porter, a Viet Nam Vet, creates wood bas reliefs of images which impacted him while visiting churches and Abbey\u2019s in England. Burr\u2019s focus on the female figure using glass casting, bronze and metal is both seductive and playful. Paakkanen\u2019s 10\u2019x4\u2019 panel of a dragon uses impasto acrylic paint and raised scales to make a traditionally two-dimensional work into three dimensions.
\nThe works include carved wood pieces, jewelry, prints, paintings, sculpture and more.
\nAn artists\u2019 reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, and gives the public a chance to chat with the artists about their work. There is no admission charge for the reception.
\nThe reception will be accompanied by \u201cBeethoven and Friends Chamber Ensemble,\u201d a chamber orchestra affiliated with the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra.
\nThe exhibit will also be open from 3-6 p.m. Friday, March 23, and from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25.<\/p>\n
\nThis is the second exhibit this month at The MACC, which occupies the ground floor of the century-old historic Mills Station Building, located at the Mather\/Mills Station Light Rail Station at 10190 Mills Station Road. For more information visit www.rcmacc.org<\/a>.
\nProduced by the Cordova Community Council and supported by the City of Rancho Cordova Community Enhancement Fund, Insights is appropriate for art lovers of all ages. Descriptions and other information at the exhibit will be posted in both print and braille, giving all visitors an opportunity to experience art and more from a new point of view \u2013 including relying on the sense of touch rather than sight.
\nIn addition to the Insights exhibit, those wishing to support the California Society of the Blind through a dinner experience can purchase tickets to \u201cDining in the Dark,\u201d a fundraising gala featuring dinner prepared by Christine Ha, a blind chef and winner of the third season of television\u2019s \u201cMaster Chef\u201d competition show. The event will be held at the Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova on Thursday, March 23.
\nGuests will be invited to enjoy their meals wearing eye shades in low light conditions and will utilize their other senses to maximize a unique culinary experience. The event also includes an auction and dance, hosted by Dan and Michelle, from MIX 96.1 radio station. Tickets are $75 and available at cccbnet.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n