The Johnson Center for the Arts’ new exhibit “Artistry Unbound” opened last Thursday and focuses on the freedom and pure creativity of the artists.
According to Andrea Pack, the director of the Johnson Center, this title is meant to emphasize the aforementioned freedom as well as the collaboration between both the Montgomery and Pike County art guilds.
“We weren’t putting a limit on the medium or the subject matter; it was kind of open,” Pack said. “We were combining the two art guilds, so it was unbound in that way as well.
“I like the theme because each artist is able to submit the work that they feel most connected with, and sometimes when you have a themed show, you’re only attracting a certain type of artist.”
With both collaboration and creative freedom being the main source of this diversity, it was important during the production of the exhibit that the Johnson Center, as well as both art guilds, had their ideas aligned.
“Our idea was to try to get creatives together to create and support each other in news ways that would inspire one another,” says Kitty Smothers, president of the Pike County Art Guild.
Tilley Dombroski photos
“When Andrea asked us to put together this show with the Pike County Art Guild we were really thrilled,” said Warren Simons, the president of the Montgomery Art Guild. “One, because it gave us a chance to display our work, but two, because it gave us a chance to interact with and draw inspiration from other artists in the area.”
While the advocation for creative freedom and diversity is a major focus of the exhibit, the main goal is to encourage the community,and even other artists, to find a love for art itself, in whatever form it may come.
“I hope people who live in Troy understand how lucky they are to have something like the Johnson Center -- where it’s a public venue and all kinds of artists can have their work hanging on display,” Simons said. “It’s truly a beautiful experience.”
Artistry Unbound will be in the Johnson Center for the Arts until Jan. 3
Commentaires