Whirligigs Subject Of July Exhibit At Ocean City Arts Center

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Colorful paintings and whimsical whirligigs are the center of the July exhibit at the Ocean City Arts Center.

The show, featuring David Winigrad's kinetic sculptures and Michael Cagno's paintings, opens July 2 and runs through July 29. A Meet the Artist sreception will be held July 12 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Gallery is located in the Ocean City Arts Center, 1735 Simpson Ave.

According to the arts center:

David Winigrad’s kinetic sculptures or whirligigs, as most people know them, are sculptures in which movement is a basic element whether it be motor or wind-driven. Some may be even be balancing sculpture which seem to defy gravity. David is a mixed-media artist based in the Philadelphia suburbs. He holds a BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University. After pursuing a long career as a Creative Director in the advertising and commercial art world, David transitioned from the 2D to the 3D medium beginning in 2013 with challenge of reinterpreting the traditional whirligig folk art form through a contemporary lens. The resulting wind-powered, kinetic sculptures retain the whimsy of their precursors while incorporating a modern aesthetic and the beauty of wood. Recently, his work has expanded to include a range of kinetic executions including mobiles, stabiles and balancers. David has won numerous awards and exhibited at prestigious craft shows across the country, including the Smithsonian Craft Show, Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and American Craft Council Show. David has two children and a beautiful wife, Maureen.

With a stunningly rich palette, Michael Cagno's latest works weave narrative of timeless, universal emotions with strong contemporary resonance. Infused with richness and sensuality, his modern impressionistic style is also bold, raw and unguarded. These compelling and rhythmic pieces are representative of his experience with nature. It is this style of paining in which Cagno can sense and project his perceptions of beauty. He defines objects outside the traditional colors that bind perceptions to a ration state of mind. However, what separates Cagno is how he brings explosion of color to the world, influenced by his emotions and Mother Nature. He holds a BFA degree from Rowan University, a Master's in Museum Management and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration from Seton Hall. Michael is executive director of The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University and a doctoral candidate in organization leadership at Stockton. For him, painting is about the process and the pleasure associated with the creative spirit. Today, Michael lives in Vineland with his wonderful wife Natalie and three children.

The Ocean City Arts Center is located on the second floor in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Arts Center is closed on Sunday. For further information, call (609) 399-7628. Check out the Ocean City Arts Center on Facebook and Instagram