The Marion Art Center is a well-known and much-loved cultural venue that over many decades has hosted light-hearted musicals to serious works of art and nearly everything in between. The building itself is a treasure – a historical and architectural gem in the heart of Marion.
On the evening of June 3, the center hosted a showing of abstract paintings by Susan Strauss of Westport and Allison Horvitz of Somerset. The two artists whose entire lives have been devoted to developing their understanding of and talent in visual arts shared the antique building’s walls in what can only be described as superb expressions.
The colors used by each artist and the technique of applying layers of either acrylic or oil paints were in harmony, fully complimenting one another as few artists can hope to achieve. And although art is very subjective, these women have indeed created indisputable evocative beauty.
Strauss works primarily in oils and said of her work, “Gardening, growing things inspires me, pulling weeds from the garden, I find they are like a weaving.” She continued, “The planting helps me find my way in the painting, painting is about finding a place in the painting itself.”
Horvitz shared, “My life is my work. My work is not about landscapes or flowers, it’s an emotional reaction to my life.” She said the layers of acrylic paint, which she scrapes out in places to create depth inside the canvas, are sculptural. Of her series of ‘memory jars’ of which she is particularly fond, she said, “People see what they want to see in them, not what I may have intended.”
Marion Art Center Vice-President Cassy West said that professional artists must apply for the opportunity to have their works shown at the center.
“We have a museum jury that evaluates entries,” she explained, adding that there is presently a two-year waiting list of artists whose works have been accepted for showing.
West said of the current exhibit that will be on view for the next few weeks, “This is a collaboration between the art center and the Marion Garden Group.”
Throughout the space, floral arrangements had been created by members of the garden group inspired by the works of art at this event. Arrangements by garden group members Michelle Russell, Lissa Magauran, Wendy Bidstrup and Suzie Kokkins were positioned next to Strauss’ and Horvitz’s works, flowers and paintings creating a larger visual presentation of art in bloom, a local twist on a well known MFA event.
Of this evening’s event West thought, “It’s nice to have two Marion organizations coming together in a great collaboration.”
On the second floor of the art center, a large space whose focal point is a grand piano against the far back wall above which hung one of Horvitz’s “Jar” paintings, MAC President Shelley Richins talked about the upcoming comprehensive campaign they will be kicking off on July 15.
“It’s very much a brick and mortar thing,” Richins explained. Noting the need to modify the aging building for handicap accessibility, along with other structural improvements, she said, “Marion has an aging population, so making the building more accessible is very important.” She said they would also be investing in new chairs for the theater space.
Richins also spoke of re-organization of the director’s position at the art center. With the retirement of Deborah Bokelkamp in July, a new director will be named. But Richins said she’d be keeping that under wraps until a formal announcement is made to the members. Not unlike some of the stage productions at the MAC, there’s a bit of mystery and intrigue to think about for a while.
By Marilou Newell
