Landscapes Panel Discussion on Feb 2

Three Northeast Ohio Artists Discuss Landscape Art
Thursday, February 2
6:30 pm

The Akron Art Museum will host a panel discussion featuring three local artists currently on view at the museum on February 2 at 6:30 pm.

Bruce Checefsky, Michelle Droll and Barry Underwood will discuss how light, environmental issues and the tradition of landscape painting apply to their work in a panel discussion moderated by Interim Chief Curator Ellen Rudolph.

Regional artist Michelle Droll, creator of Landslide: Between a Rock and a Place, builds environmentally friendly landscapes out of recycled materials. She uses scraps from her studio, Styrofoam and other recycled man-made material to create these scenes. Intrigued by the “building” of landscape with junk, she has created a vibrant sculpture that references present-day environmental concerns.

Cleveland photographers Bruce Checefsky and Barry Underwood use atmospheric and applied light to capture ephemeral moments in nature. All of these artists have illustrated nature and landscapes in different ways but all have unified viewers under one topic.

How do contemporary artists work in the tradition of landscape painters on view in Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism? How have contemporary concerns such as environmentalism and technology altered the tradition? How does the local terrain inspire Northeast Ohio artists? Join us for the answers to these questions and more at this inspiring look at the art of contemporary landscape.

Beginning in the 19^thcentury, artists left their studios and ventured out into the wild to document the great outdoors. From creating art depicting the sea to the sky, artists have been trying to replicate the wonders that surround us. Nature and landscapes have always been captivating elements because we cannot completely describe their magnificence. However, artists can open our minds to different interpretations of landscapes. Though concerns and views about landscapes may have changed since the impressionist era, the land remains a profound source of inspiration for artists.