Gimme Five

Some of the windows, now walled over. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

A full week between shows will allow for less hectic and more considered installation of the revolving shows. A corner of the gallery has been dubbed the “Wild Card” area, reserved for “breaking all our own rules,” in the words of Courtney Rile, marketing and public relations coordinator for the Delavan. Unusual artwork, emerging artists, anything that strikes their fancy will appear there. The Wild Card shows will change twice during each main exhibition, rewarding frequent visitors. One idea came directly from Rile’s summertime experience at her Contemporary Gallery: a comfortable, well-lit nook with a leather loveseat, plush papasan, Persian rug and bookcase.

The gallery’s first show after the hiatus will be a two-pronged attack. One group of artists has a printmaking background and another sculpts, primarily in bronze. The printmakers (Amy Georgia Buchholz, Bruce Muirhead, Jake Muirhead and Bill Salzillo) refer to themselves as the Atelier Four. Lifelong acquaintances, literally in the case of the Muirheads (Bruce is the father), they all share a studio and collaborate on ideas. 

“Glass Factory Road:” Jake Muirhead’s etching is included in the Delavan Art Gallery’s first exhibit after taking a six-month break.

Dexter Benedict and Donald S. Sottile also work closely together: Both cast their works at Benedict’s Fire Works Foundry in Yates County. Benedict’s bronze busts are dark, heavy and matter-of-fact. Slightly smoothed over surfaces suggest an intersection between idealized forms and reality in “I dreamed a crow landed on my head.” Sottile’s fascination with the female figure inspires numerous nude contortions. He explores various styles to express his mastery of anatomy.

Dexter Benedict, "I dreamed a crow landed on my head" cast bronze

 

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C.J. Hodge has the honor of being chosen for the first wild card spot. The subjects for his richly colorful paintings come from digital photographs. He carves the pictures into grids, then gives each tile an individual treatment, a technique perhaps inspired by Chuck Close. Paintings by Hodge will be on display Sept. 11 to Oct. 4, before political cartoons by Syracuse New Times contributor Joe Glisson take over from Oct. 10 to Nov. 1.  

C. J. Hodge, "Turning Away" Painting

 

The opening reception for Five Years at Delavan is Thursday, Sept. 11, 5 to 8 p.m. The show runs until Oct. 25. Regular gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and other times by appointment. For more information, call 425-7500 or go to www.delavanartgallery.com.

—Jon Dufort