Artist Shelley Muzylowski Allen is expanding her role, adding " curator" to her already extensive resume for an upcoming show at Blue Rain Gallery, intended to "expand our understanding and visual vocabulary in Studio Glass art," according to the show announcement. In light of the current health crisis, Blue Rain's Santa Fe location is temporarily closed to the public (though still offering private viewings by appointment), but the gallery's executive director Denise Phetteplace is hopeful that Allen's invitational exhibition featuring 22 artists will open as planned in three months' time. "Currently we are operating with some optimism," Phetteplace told the Glass Quarterly Hot Sheet in a telephone exchange. Acknowledging the importance of slowing the spread of the virus, the gallery is shuffling its schedule for the next two upcoming exhibitions, but Allen's invitational exhibition is at the moment set to run as scheduled, opening June 12th and running through the Fourth of July.
"I feel like this event is truly going to be the premiere glass event in the Southwest for 2020," says Phetteplace. "We are bringing together a very talented group of artists who have devoted their lives to refining their craft. During the last 10 to 12 years we've worked with Shelly, we've realized she's not only at the top of her game in the field, but she also has a very discerning eye and her aesthetic is one we truly appreciate. Anybody who makes it to his exhibition is going to be impressed by the variety and just the level of skill in the work. We have some very strong names, too, people who really need no introduction, and then there are a few that perhaps some of our visitors are not familiar with and we're very excited to introduce them to our clients."
Artist's in Blue Rain's "Invitational Glass Show" will include:
April Surgent
Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman
Karen Willenbrink and Jasen Johnsen
Jennifer Caldwell and Jason Chakravarty
Blue Rain Gallery represents established contemporary artists of diverse backgrounds working in a variety of mediums such as paintings, ceramics, bronze, glass, and jewelry. The gallery is eclectic in its approach, yet maintains a special focus on regional, Native American, and Studio Glass art.
As much as is possible and appropriate given the severity of the current crisis, Blue Rain is hoping to stay in touch with its collectors through emails and other electronic means in the coming weeks. Two upcoming exhibitions have had their opening dates postponed, but the invitational exhibition remains on track as scheduled. "Unless a month from now, things look a lot worse and we feel we need to push it further back, we are moving forward as planned," Phetteplace explained. "People can always check our Website events page for updates on the status of specific events."
Currently Planned Schedule of Events:
Opening Reception: Friday, June 12th from 5 – 7 PM
Gallery Dates: June 12 – July 4, 2020.
Panel Discussion: Thursday, June 11th from 5 – 7 PM
Glass Blowing/Flameworking Demonstrations: Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th from 10 AM – 4 PM.
IF YOU GO:
Group Exhibition
"Invitational Glass Show"
June 12 – July 4, 2020
Blue Rain Gallery
544 South Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Website
505.954.9902