Pick 'Em Up @ Exposed 2016

I am please to announce I have a piece in Exposed 2016 along with fifteen other regional and national artists. The show is an outdoor exhibit throughout Stowe, Vermont and is organized by the Helen Day Art Center.

Pick 'Em Up

latex paint on wood

77" x 210" x 4"

2016

My submission, Pick 'Em Up, is intended as a playful reinterpretation of the children's game Pick Up Sticks. I believe it creates an interesting contrast with the serious and austere historic New England architecture.

 Pick 'Em Up (closeup)

Because it is a historic building, I wasn't allowed to screw anything into the bell tower columns. To get around this limitation, I strapped boards in front and behind the columns then screwed column "blanks" into my strapped boards. I was then able to attach my "sticks" into my blanks. From the ground the entire contraption is not very noticeable.  

Pick 'Em Up (bell tower view)

I am very thankful that the curator, Rachel Moore, allowed me to install my piece on the bell tower. I know the Stowe Select Board was not happy about the idea of art being installed there and I am sure there will be additional "public relation issues" because of it, but the building does house an arts center so it is wonderful that the Helen Day is willing to push the boundaries a little bit in the service of art. 

Stick Colors

I bought red, yellow, blue, black, and white paints; and mixed the other ten colors on my own. Each sticks is 120" x 2.5" x 0.75"; except the red one which is only 117" long.

The reception will take place on July 23 at 4:00 pm. People will meet at the art center and then start to walk around town with brief comments by each of the artists. The walk should take about two hours. The exhibit will be up through October 15.