ST. CHARLES – Retailers, in cooperation with the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, are playing host to local art during the Art Around the Corner exhibit, running through June 24. No admission fee is required to visit the special exhibits.
One of the participating retailers, JP Jewelers, at 151 S. First St., in St. Charles, is currently displaying the clay sculptures of area artist Diane Breaker in an artist spotlight called, "Emperors in Clay."
"I'm really excited to see our community encouraging talented local artists, like Diane Breaker, to showcase their work with downtown retailers," said Jim Petterec, owner of JP Jewelers, in a news release. "Diane's artwork is so wonderfully inspiring and moving. I was so impressed with it, that I couldn't help but purchase the 'Emperor of Good Fortune' as a permanent piece for our showroom."
Breaker describes her work as "Asian inspired ceramic sculpture, with a twist of Zen philosophy and the Eastern ideal known as Wabi Sabi," which means discovering beauty in the imperfect or aged. Unlike Western society's fascination with all things new, the surfaces of Breaker's sculptures are intentionally created to appear aged with oxidized copper and tarnished bonze patinas.
"Every one of my sculptures is unique and hand built," Breaker said in the release. "Each one comes with its own philosophical card that describes the ideals that have inspired the individual design of my work."
For a map and more information regarding the merchants and artists spotlighted during "Art Around the Corner," visit www.downtownstcharles.org or look for the "Art Around the Corner" banner outside participating businesses.
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