"Resident Visual Artists Exhibit 2011" and "Coded: Shalya Marsh & Lars Westby"

On May 6, 2011, the Howard County Arts Council opens two new exhibits, the Resident Visual Artists Exhibit 2011 and Coded: Shalya Marsh & Lars Westby.

 2011 marks the 27^th year of the Resident Visual Artists Exhibit at the Howard County Arts Council. In Gallery I, the exhibit features recent work created by artists who have studios at HCCA: James Adkins, Joan Bevelaqua, Carolyn Cates, Art Landerman, Diana Marta, Heidi Praff, Andrei Trach, Jamie Travers, Jereme Scott, Leora Smith, Thomasine Spore, Mary Jo Tydlacka, Xiaoxia (Airry) Zhang and David Zuccarini. The artists work in a variety of media including painting, drawing, sculpture, and woodworking.

Coded: Shalya Marsh & Lars Westby. Gallery II includes two ceramic artists whose work explores the theme of communication though using very different techniques. Artist Lars Westby’s process of creating is driven by an obsession to communicate through visual objects. Westby explores form and surface to create playful, utilitarian objects which challenge the viewer’s perception of the familiar by creating a new reality. Shalya Marsh uses symbols and ciphers to express the limitation that language places on communication through forms built from red earthenware. Marsh uses pigments to draw out details, offering an extensive vocabulary of texture and color.

A free reception for both exhibits will be held on Thursday, June 16, from 6-8 p.m.  The resident artists will open their studios for visitors from 7-8 p.m. An Open Mic Night event will also take place that evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in HCAC’s black box theatre. The reception and Open Mic Night is in participation with the Columbia Festival of the Arts. Both exhibits run through June 24, 2011.