Perkins Members and Staff Highlight Their Artistic Ability During Annual Show

Odile Soroka-Monzo calls them "Ménage à Trois."

But don’t get the wrong idea. She’s not some sort of exhibitionist. She’s an artist, and speaks with affection about her set of three mixed-media pieces that she will be showing in the Members and Faculty Exhibition. 

“The heads are from porcelain dolls. Most of the other items outfitting the pieces are scraps like the feathers, the pearl jewelry and the screen material,” Sorka-Monzo said of her artwork that will be part of the show running at Perkins from Sunday, April 29 through Sunday, June 17.

The show in its 15th year is an opportunity for all members, staff and volunteers to highlight a piece of art, created in the last three years, such as oils, photography, sculptures and watercolors. 

Last year’s show attracted 91 artists; the year before, there were 102. Of that vast amount, 10 works will be cited by a panel for artistic excellence.

Striking an expansive following of patrons, the show enables the artists to garner admiration for many items that no one gets to see, and to make some money while offering their pieces for sale.

Volunteer Joy Yucht, who does pottery full-time in her home studio, felt a little reluctant about dropping off her collection of wood-fired sculptures for the show.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to want to put a price on them,” said Yucht, of the muted stoneware. “I’m rather attached to them.”

The gallery show is different than other ones held at Perkins because its the only time of the year that the Perkins' family is on exhibit as a whole, said Phillip Carroll, associate curator of exhibitions.

“Many of the people show their skills to those in classes,” said Carroll, who will be showing an oil painting, “but this show is all about them.”

Adds Carroll, “There are some real bargains for people who want a fabulous piece of artwork for their home or business,” with items ranging from $80 up to $3,500 for a large vividly designed oil of an Alfa Romeo sports car painted by Ole Hoffstad.

Other scene-stealers are a black and white digital photograph, "Sisters," by Maria Papadopoulos revealing two slender girls with long silky hair shyly posing toward the camera. Jack McGovern's acrylic on paper depicts the elongated blood-red  form of a woman in repose on a bench.

For Soroka-Monzo, who is an alumnus of Moore College of Art and Design, Perkins is a  fine venue to exhibit. 

“It’s an easy place to have your art shine.”

Perkins Center for the Arts’ Members and Faculty Exhibition opens with a reception on Sunday, April 29 at 1 p.m. and runs through Sunday, June 17, 2012. For more information visit