New FVAC Artist to Hold Lecture and Workshop on Abstract Art

Elke Albrecht, an accomplished artist from New York, invites people of all ages and artistic skill sets to join her for an exploration of abstract art at Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon next week.

Albrecht will speak at the arts center on Wednesday, April 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. about the basics of abstract art, a theory she has developed on the subject and her personal journey as an artist. Audience members will have a time limit to draw a picture and help them gain a better understanding of abstract art.

"I want to push them by time limits to be abstract. If you don't have time, you have to be abstracting," Albrecht said.

The two-day workshop will take place on Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Albrecht has prepared a wide array of exercises for class participants with a goal of helping them "see what they have never seen before."

The workshop will be taught in a fun and "playful" manner. Albrecht doesn't want anyone to feel stressed out while creating art.

"You cannot do anything wrong in art," Albrecht told Patch.

One of the planned lessons involves bringing a small object with personal meaning to the workshop.

"I will ask people ... to close their eyes, feel the object and translate the feeling into a visual piece," Albrecht said.

Albrecht was introduced to art by her stepfather, who was a graphic designer. She received a master of fine arts degree in art from a German university and continued her studies at the National Academy of Fine Arts and The Art Students League of New York.

In 2009, she was invited to join the artists of the OK Harris Gallery in SoHo, New York City. The founder of this acclaimed gallery played a role in establishing the careers of noted pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

"At the moment, I'm very minimal, so I do minimal abstractions. I have gone through many phases. ... I learned a lot by trying [different] things. Just feeling my way through," Albrecht said regarding her current style.

The lecture will be held in the Drezner Gallery at Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon. Tuition for the workshop is $240, and materials are not included. Limited seats are available.

To reserve a spot for the lecture and/or workshop, visit www.artsfvac.org/page/27-adult-classes.

More information on Elke Albrecht is available on her website at www.elke-albrecht.com.