Fountain House Gallery celebrated the opening of the group show Artists Looking at Art with a festive reception on Thursday, February 27th. Energy was high as an enthusiastic crowd of art lovers and artists viewed the striking display of original works while sipping wine and sampling tasty edibles.

Artist David Hester-Bey

Artists Looking at Art features pieces by nearly 40 Gallery artists who source inspiration—whether directly or abstractly—from other artists’ work. For this show, the artists were asked to submit an original artwork whose point of departure was an existing piece or another artist’s style. Inspirations ranged from historical figures, including Margaret Keane, Kazimir Malevich, and Vincent van Gogh, to comic book illustrators, graffiti artists, and friends.

Me and Van Gogh by Ramond Lopez

The exhibition is curated by Joyce Siegel, artist, arts educator, and Director of Joyce's Art Walk; and Jonathan Rider, artist, curator, and Associate Director of The FLAG Art Foundation. The curators were on hand at the reception and graciously shared insights about the show with Gallery artists and visitors. In their curators’ statement, Joyce and John wrote, “We were impressed by how this community of artists interpreted our prompt. We received so many submissions in an array of media—drawings, paintings, photographs, fiber works, sculptural objects, and more—and it was amazing to see how artists varied their approaches to color, composition, and subject matter."

Curators Joyce Siegel and Jonathan Rider

Gallery openings are joyous occasions, but this one was also bittersweet. The event marked not only the beginning of this show’s run but also an ending: the departure of Fountain House Gallery and Studio Director Ariel Willmott, who this week assumed the position of Arts and Culture Program Coordinator at Two Trees and the Walentas Family Foundation. Artists and friends in attendance at the reception lauded Ariel’s tireless efforts on behalf of the Gallery over the past seven years and wished her well on her new endeavor. She will be missed. During the reception, Ariel sported a gold-and-silver-toned balloon “crown” fashioned expressly for her by balloon wizard and Renaissance man Rich Courage.   

Rich Courage and Ariel Willmott

Artists Looking at Art will remain on view through April 8th, 2020.