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BATAVIA – Water Street Studios welcomes people back to the gallery spaces for this month's 11th anniversary show titled "Create-In-Place: Art Created During COVID-19," opening Sept. 11.
Over 60 artists are represented in the show in the Dempsey Family Gallery. The collection explores complexities of thought and emotions unique to the time of COVID-19.
“The artists and staff are excited to open this show to the public," new Executive Director Taylor Egan stated in a news release. "In a time when the expression of art and experiencing art is so important, opportunity has been limited. This show reminds us of the instrumental role art plays in processing our world and reminding us of our collective experience. Art has an amazing power to bring people together and we believe this show will be something powerful for our community to collectively experience."
The galleries are open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with no appointment needed.
“The time of COVID has been a difficult one for artists," Water Street artist and curator Steve Sherrell said. "We are unsure how the art world will look after it is finished, but it has given us time to work like never before. Water Street Studios is committed to representing artists, and celebrates the work they have done during this difficult time.”
Closing reception festivities
Water Street Studios will host a three-day closing reception for "Create-In-Place" at the end of September. Patrons are invited to the gallery for this indoor/outdoor event featuring live entertainment, food and drinks from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25 and 26, and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. An outdoor market showcasing Water Street artists also will be open.
Space is limited due to COVID guidelines. Free tickets can be reserved for the event at Eventbrite at shawurl.com/3dyp.
The Chicago Capital Gallery
"Portraits and Punchers," a collection of work by Darius Hurley, will be exhibited in the Chicago Capital Gallery from Sept. 11 to Oct. 31. Darius is a self-taught artist who creates colorful and distinctive paintings of boxers, Lucha Libre wrestlers and people in ordinary 21st century situations. His work is said to be created intuitively with no attachment to any preconceived ideas.
Hurley is a British artist and performer living in Batavia.
“I am excited to return to Water Street Studios, having started my art career there as a resident artist 10 years ago," he said in the release. "This show, 'Portraits and Punchers,' will feature new painted works, a short retrospective of earlier paintings and some surprises. The show promises to be … exhilarating … colorful and exciting bare-knuckle art.”
Hurley’s work has been shown in galleries in Chicago, London and New York.
About Water Street Studios
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Water Street Studios is committed to making the creative arts accessible to the Fox Valley community. Its mission is to be a vibrant organization dedicated to the creation and appreciation of the arts, and dedicated to supporting the core community of Water Street Studio artists, patrons and students.
To learn more about all its programs, studio spaces, classes and events, visit www.waterstreetstudios.org.