Artists' Guild's 'Roam' Encourages Visitors to Explore Surroundings

*Editor's note: An earlier version of this article inadvertently transposed the names of two artists. It also incorrectly identified the number of exhibitions in the series. There are five exhibitions. This article has been updated to reflect the correct artists with descriptions of their art and the correct number of exhibitions. An earlier version of this article also incorrectly spelled the first name of Gwyn Wahlmann. It also incorrectly identified purpose of her exhibit, which she stated in a Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch comment is meant to evoke "the pure joy of summer's air, light and color." This article has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of her name and the intent of her artwork.

Hundreds of art lovers converged at Oak Knoll Park on June 26 for the opening of the new show, All Roads Lead To Roam.

The show features a variety of art—funky cool, classic contemporary, vibrant modern, futuristic sculpture.

“It's a huge crowd,” said , executive director of the guild. “We're hoping for 300.”

The show, which explores the ways artists represent and interpret their movements through space and time, features five* exhibits: Drift; Cache; Connected by Process; Paintings by Jeremy Rabus; and Works From the University City Children's Center. Throughout the exhibits, visitors are encouraged to think about how they interact with their surroundings.

The guild and Art Saint Louis collaborated on the exhibition Drift, which highlights space and time, how people move through it and how they relate to the environments they encounter. The collaboration between the two organizations was the inspiration for the show's theme.

Gina Alvarez, gallery director for the guild, the practice of derive (literally “drift” in French) also served as inspiration. Situationist artists and philosophers developed it in the mid-20th century as a technique for passing quickly through different environments. The movement and actions of those who practice derive are not guided by motives such as work or recreation but rather by the surrounding terrain and the encounters they have.

“We wanted to work with Art Saint Louis,” said Alvarez said. “It's like derive. It's the same with us and Art Saint Louis. There's this physical distance between us.”

The invitational exhibition titled Cache features four artists exploring the exhibition’s themes of time, movement and space. Kim Kordonowy's paintings relate to her childhood growing up in Japan, while Eden Harris exhibits cut-paper pieces relating to the change of seasons.

Amy Thompson's paper pieces show systems for charting space, and an installation by Gwyn* Wahlmann features a series of parachutes of varying sizes and colors meant to evoke the pure joy of summer's air, light and color.*

Paintings by Jeremy Rabus in the Solo Gallery shows the artist's abstract works that layer passages of light and dark with colors both vivid and neutral. Rabus states that his process encompasses chance and control, free association and orchestration.

Connected by Process is a dual exhibition created by Elizabeth Conn and Marlene DiFiori Locke. The two artists met by chance and realized they each worked in a multilayered process with the theme of controlling the uncontrollable.

Locke's* work is shockingly pink.

“People misunderstand pink,” Locke* said. “It's thought of as a feminine color, but these paintings have an assertive quality—not what you usually think of pink. They show my personality.”

Conn* makes multitiered sculptures that tell a story.

“My work is about great expectations,” Conn said. “We have these inventions that we expect great things from, but over time, they have a dark side.”

In yet another room of the sprawling former farm house, art by 2- and 3-year-olds from University City Children's Center decorates the walls. Overall, gallery director Alvarez said, a total of 40 to 50 artists—including the children—are represented in the massive show.

Given the number of artists and the variety of styles featured, it is impressive that the show manages to maintain relationships between one exhibition and the next using the theme of derive.

All Roads Lead to Roam continues through Aug. 19 at the guild, 2 Oak Knoll Park in Clayton. For more information, visit the guild's website or call 314-727-6266.