John Natsoulas Gallery

Exhibition Dates: January 2 – March 1, 2008
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 5th, 7-9 pm
Valentine Champagne Gala: February 9th, 7-10 pm

Named after two Early Christian martyrs called Valentine, Valentine’s Day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Throughout the western world, the heart has for centuries been used to represent love and affection and is the symbol most closely associated with valentines and Valentines Day.

In celebration of this special day, the John Natsoulas Center for the Arts will host Hearts, a two-month exhibition of exciting art for your Valentine. The show will feature affordable art that aims to capture the true essence of love and romance. Art by nationally famous artists, such as Gladys Nilsson, will be on exhibit, as well as work by fifty well-known regional artists, including Marie Pascal. Frank Damiano, and Melissa Chandon. The paintings, sculpture and mixed media in the show represent each artist’s unique interpretation of the heart symbol. In Marie Pascal’s painting, Heart #1, for example, the shadow of tree branches on the sidewalk behind two sweethearts form the shape of a heart. Many such unique interpretations of the heart will be included in the show. (over 5o community artists included)

In conjunction with this exhibition, Fulbright recipient Emma Luna will offer a two-day clay workshop on January 18th and 19th. In this hands-on workshop, participants will be encouraged to investigate personal feelings in their creation of their own heart designs. Call the gallery for more information.

A special Valentine Champagne Gala on February 9th from 7 pm to 10 pm highlights the show and will be open to everyone. Bring your valentine and enjoy the show.

In conjunction with the heart exhibition, Fullbright Scolarship Winner Emma Luna will be doing a two-day Heart Workshop on Friday, January 18 from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday, January 19 from 1pm to 3pm. It is a hands-on workshop and does not require any materials to be brought in by participants. Emma will demonstrate the method for making the hearts and each participant will be given the opportunity to build a heart of their own, paying attention to carving out the hearts and adding surface design.

Another workshop will be offered by one of California’s most prominent landscape artists Gregory Kondos who will conduct a painting workshop on Saturday, January 12 from 1pm to 5pm leading participants thought the process of creating a painting from start to finish.