Back Space Gallery Exhibit and Open Critique

Reception and Open Critique Session
Friday, June 15, 5-8pm

Five exhibiting regional artists who meet and critique works in progress twice monthly in a “Crit Group” setting are exhibiting recent paintings, banners, and photography at the Berkeley Art Works from June 13 through July 7.

Open Critique:

Doug Kinnett, Gary Bergel, Joy Bridy, Nancy Polo and Jason Care invite any local artist, working at any level from beginning to accomplished, who would desire to learn about and experience the process of critiquing a visual art work, 2-D or 3-D, to bring one or more pieces to the Reception and Open Critique Session Friday evening, June 15. This group follows the widely adopted model of critique developed by Edmund Burke Feldman – it is non-critical, objective, and encouraging, rather than critical, subjective and often discouraging. Practicing artists need the peer-support found in small groups. Come, learn of the “Feldman Method” and how “Crit Works.”

Doug Kinnett, Shepherdstown WV, a long-time member of the group and former professor of art at Shepherd University, has developed his strong sense of symbolism and color through daily work in his studio. He credits the crit group for keeping him accountable to his work, and finds the regular group deadlines a motivation to stay focused and working.

Gary Bergel, Kearneysville WV, a multidisciplinary artist and adjunct professor at Blue Ridge Community & Technical College, has a keen eye for catching the details of human touch on the environment.  While painting and photography are his touchstone mediums, he also ventures into installation and added window color installations as part of the group’s recent exhibit in Shepherdstown at the Town Run Community Pub.

Joy Bridy, Shenandoah Junction WV, a ceramist and avid walker of trails, brings three dimensions to the group, as well as a slower studio practice centered around clay.  She cites the group as not only  different light on her work, but also on the way she develops and integrates new ideas and mediums.

Nancy Polo, Berryville VA, a surrealist painter, tells stories through her colorful imagery, drawing on her life as a sustainable livestock farm manager, a mother and a first generation Italian-American.

Jason Care, Shepherdstown WV, a large-scale portrait painter, also brings story-telling to the canvas, and his iconographic imagery of Shepherdstown, both people and places, come to life under his brush.

The Berkeley Art Work is located at 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg. Gallery hours are Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4.