What do you get when you bring together a supergroup of three talented local artists and ask them to explore light?
You get the art that’s featured in Studio & Gallery’s latest show, “Luminescence,” which kicks off tonight (Friday) with an opening reception.
The three artists – Mariah Kaminsky, Juanita Nelson and Dave Banga – will take over the gallery with paintings and pottery.
If you go
WHAT: Luminescence: Featuring the art of Mariah Kaminsky, Juanita Nelson and Dave Banga.
WHEN: Opening reception 5 to 9 p.m. Friday (April 14). Exhibit runs through April 22.
WHERE: Studio & Gallery, 1027 Main Ave.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.anddurango.com.
“I’m super-excited. I have not done a full show at Studio and yet so happy to be included,” Kaminsky said. “I’ve had pieces in their shows work, but have never been on the bill basically. They were setting up their schedule for this year and came up with the concept of having the three of us, which I think it’s gonna be a really fun group.”
Kaminsky’s paintings are primarily portraits – in fact, her painting “The Hug” was sent to the moon (the moon!) with The Lunar Codex/Artists on the Moon project as part of “The Nova Collection,” in 2022.
She said between her and Nelson’s use of color, Banga (who didn’t respond to a phone message on time for this story), provides a buffer with his pottery.
Some of the other pieces she’ll feature are her acrobats and others that haven’t been shown much.
“I haven’t had a lot of time in the studio because I’ve been on a decorative project this year,” she said. “Thankfully Studio & was willing to work with me on that. I’m using quite a few of my past pieces, but just in kind of a new light – no pun intended.”
Nelson works in soft pastels and features a variety of subjects – there are landscapes and animal portraits and a few with people.
A home-birth midwife by trade, Nelson said she learned to paint fairly recently and was hooked.
“I’ve always done creative things, but I didn’t start painting till about nine years ago, eight years ago,” she said. “I have a friend who’s also a painter and I said, ‘would you teach me some things?’ I took a small class from her and it was like somebody lit a light bulb in my brain. I went, ‘Oh, I like this. I can do this.’”
She said she has 22 pieces ready for “Luminescence,” but the space dictates how many will be exhibited.
“Luminescence” will be hanging in the gallery through April 22.
katie@durangoherald.com.
