Using their talents to create personal and fantastical imagery set in unknown worlds, four regional artists will come together to exhibit in "Drawing On" at the University of Kentucky Tuska Center for Contemporary Art (TCCA). In this show, artists Michael Goodlett, Mark Hosford, Elissa Morley and Lawrence Tarpey explore drawing as a means of personal expression, an age-old function of art-making. However, there is little that is traditional or expected in the works of these four.

"Drawing On," running Jan. 14 to Feb. 10, will commence with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14. The opening reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.

The artists of "Drawing On" all employ personal and fantastical imagery set in unknown, mystical, and sometimes grotesque, worlds. All explore what it means to draw and utilize various drawing techniques available in this contemporary world—pen and ink on paper, crafted into sculptural forms; watercolor on tracing paper; marks on scratchboard; and digitally rendered imagery. Intimate, personal narratives guide each artist, and the viewer is invited to join the adventure into the artists’ imaginations through the work on exhibit.

According to Kate Sprengnether, director of TCCA, the exhibit is "exciting because of the connections that are made between the artists, through the use of similar media and imagery, and the connections that form between the viewer and the artist. Overall, the work has a fleeting, ephemeral quality, which, when combined with the size of the work and the nature of the imagery, serves to make the viewer feel an intimate connection with the artists."

Michael Goodlett, born and raised in Wilmore, Ky., received his bachelor's degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. He lives and works in rural Kentucky in the house in which he grew up. Goodlett's art is widely exhibited and collected regionally. The artist’s work consists of drawings on paper and handmade paper objects, arranged inside shadow boxes, depicting personal narratives.

Nashville artist Mark Hosford is a native of Kansas City, Mo. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and a master's degree from the University of Tennessee. Hosford is currently an associate professor at Vanderbilt University. Specializing in printmaking, drawing and animation, he uses narrative imagery in his art to reveal societal wonders and blunders, as well as personal investigations. Hosford has a national, international and regional exhibition record, and is represented by Taylor Bercier Fine Art in New Orleans, as well as Cumberland Gallery in Nashville.

Elissa Morley grew up in Cocoa Beach, Fla. She earned her bachelor's degree in art from Asbury College, and a master's degree in painting from the Slade School of Fine Art in London, England. Morley has lived in Lexington for the last three years, teaching at Georgetown College and Eastern Kentucky University. She was recently awarded an Artist Enrichment Grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women. The artist is known for delicate drawings that depict a mystical world from her own imagination whose inhabitants are so vulnerable that they wear no skin.

Lawrence Tarpey is a long-time resident of Lexington. As well as being a musician, he has been painting and drawing seriously for more than two decades. Tarpey creates drawings using a variety of media, including oil, graphite, encaustic, clayboard and gessoed wood panels. His work depicts a fantasy world.

In addition to TCCA's regular gallery hours, "Drawing On" will also be open to viewing one weekend afternoon. TCCA invites families to the gallery for "Family Day at TCCA," an event that will include fun, kid-friendly activities, refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists. The gallery will be open for "Family Day at TCCA" from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24. "Family Day at TCCA" is free and open to the public.

Art writing in Lexington

In spite of the fact that the Lexington Herald-Leader rarely prints writing on the visual arts, we are (finally!) getting some decent art writing in other publications. Zoe Strecker has another great article in the Oct 29 edition of Business Lexington about LOT business & gallery and Amber Scott has been writing about the visual arts for the alternative publication, North of Center. Her article for the Nov 4 edition is a review of the fabulous exhibit, Generously Odd at the LAL (Loudoun House gallery). Please take the time to read these articles and visit the galleries, to support the arts in Lexington!

More press!

Business Lexington published an article about Figuration to Fragmentation, by Zoe Strecker. Great article! Thanks to Zoe & Biz Lex!

Figuration to Fragmentation: the Human Form in Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture opened on Friday. The Lexington Herald-Leader ran a great article about the exhibit, held jointly with the Morlan Gallery at Transylvania University. Here's the link to the article: http://www.kentucky.com/lexgo/arts/story/929525.html.

Exhibition catalogs are available online. Purchase yours for only $9.30 (plus shipping)!

Don't miss the opening receptions for both exhibits on Friday, Sept 18, 5 - 8pm...part of Lexington's Gallery Hop.

Figuration to Fragmentation and Upcoming Events

Figuration to Fragmentation: The Human Form in Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture is a national figurative ceramic exhibit, held jointly between Morlan Gallery at Transylvania University, and Tuska Center for Contemporary Art at the University of Kentucky, Sept 11 - Oct 15, 2009.

Works will focus on the use of the body in contemporary ceramics, examining structures of identity, the effect of human psychological degradation on the body, and bodily fragmentation.

An online catalog will be produced (available for download or purchase from http://www.lulu.com/), featuring an essay by noted ceramic critic, Adam Welch, on the use of the figure in contemporary ceramics. In addition to the exhibit, there will be a lecture series, held at both UK & Transylvania, on consecutive Thursday nights, and a conference at UK on October 1 & 2, examining the use of the figure in contemporary art.

Both exhibits will open on Friday, Sept. 11, although the Opening Receptions will be on the following Friday, Sept. 18, 5-8 pm.

Please visit our websites for a complete listing of all Figuration to Fragmentation events.

Tuska Center for Contemporary Art, Univ of Kentucky
https://www.uky.edu/FineArts/Art/TCCA/index.php

Morlan Gallery, Transylvania Univ
http://www.transy.edu/morlan/

2009-2010 Exhibition Schedule

Sept 11 - Oct 15, 2009
Figuration to Fragmentation: The Human Form in Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture
Figurative ceramics exhibit, held jointly with Morlan Gallery at Transylvania University, featuring national artists: Tanya Batura, Anne Drew Potter, Keith Wallace Smith and Liz Zacher. Morlan Gallery will exhibit work by Tom Bartel, Kira Campbell, Sergei Isupov & Hunter Stamps. Works will focus on the use of the body in contemporary ceramics, examining structures of identity, the effect of human psychological degradation on the body, and bodily fragmentation.
Opening Reception: Friday, Sept 18, 5-8pm (Part of Lexington's Gallery Hop)

Oct 29 – Dec 9, 2009
Here and New: Works by the UK Faculty
Featuring the work of the University of Kentucky Studio and Art Education Faculty, including: Ruth Adams, Garry Bibbs, Bones Carpenter, Jeremy Colbert, Gerald Ferstman, Marty Henton, Hui Chi Lee, Doreen Maloney, Ebony G. Patterson, Allan Richards, Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, Bobby Scroggins, Robert Shay, Hunter Stamps, Dima Strakovsky, Lynn Sweet, George Szekely, James Wade, and new faculty member, Rae Goodwin.
Opening Reception: Thursday, Oct 29, 5-7pm

Jan 14 – Feb 10, 2010
Drawing On
Regional artists such as Michael Goodlett, Elissa Morley, and Lawrence Tarpey, will exhibit two-dimensional works that depict other worlds, alternative realities, and imaginary places.
Opening Reception: Thursday, Jan 14, 5-7pm

Feb 19 – March 11, 2010
Layered Existences: Nature’s Depths of Realities
The exhibit will feature the works of Arizona fibers artist, Moira Marti Geoffrion, whose work explores issues of fragmentation and the cycles of nature. The works consist of photographs of natural elements printed on semi-translucent material. Ms. Geoffrion will be on campus as part of the Visiting Artist program.
Closing Reception: Thursday, March 11, 5-7pm
Artist Talk: Friday, March 12, 12-1pm, Whitehall Classroom Building, room 118

Mar 22 – Apr 7, 2010
Works by UK MFA candidate, Mallory Dover

Apr 14 – Apr 30, 2010
Self Scrutiny, Works by UK MFA candidate, Perry Hooks