What: Message in a Bottle art display
When: Through March 25, 2011
Where: Schuster Gallery, Nash Library, Gannon University
Cost: Free
The Schuster Gallery has done it again with a thought provoking and well done display of art from Center City Arts. This is a program of Stairways Behavioral Health. I was immediately intrigued when I learned CCA is located in the former carriage house at the former Rose Koehler Curtze mansion on East 26th Street. I once very vividly dreamed of this house and it stays with me still. The show, Message in a Bottle, was high on my list of places to blog.
I found the art work to be varied and impressive. It includes mixed media; glass, wire, and photo transfer; gourds; acrylic; pastel and watercolor; and print.
What immediately caught my eye was the display of glass, wire, and photo transfer. I have never seen anything like it, and I am guessing as to how it was done. Perhaps the photos were transferred to glass jars, and then the glass was heated until it flattened but was still recognizable. The peices are suspended by a wire. Remarkable and very creative.
The remaining pieces are a diverse mix of media and technique, color and imagery. Two in particular stood out for me.
First, artist Stephanie Gwitt works with abstract expression. Up close, her works are a collage of color and detail that seem overpowering, but from a distance take on depth and nuance. I never looked at abstract art in that way before. Her Queen of Roses made an impression on me.
Phyllis Weaver's Autumn Leaves was striking. From a distance, the work looked like artistically placed swirls of color, but on closer inspection the individual leaves, stems and veins were recognisable. It was like looking at leaves collected at the bottom of a pool.
This was my first experience with Center City Art. You can bet I will be back. This display will be open to the public until March 25.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Watson-Curtze Mansion
What: Watson-Curtze Mansion, Wedding Dress Collection
When: March 2, 2011
Where: Watson-Curtze Mansion, 6th and Chestnut Streets
How Much: $5.75 (admission plus gift shop expense)
Today I went to the Watson-Curtse Mansion. I hadn't been to the mansion in several years, and I was saddened at what I saw. The building is worn and in need of a face-lift. There were not many people there; perhaps if more people came, there would be greater cash flow to support the work of the Erie County Historical Society.
I went especially to see the latest exhibit at the mansion, The Wedding Dress Collection. This collection showcases 30 wedding dresses worn between 1798 and 1980. The dresses are stunning not only in their style, variety, color and workmanship, but in the individuality of the wearer. Each dress is unique and I am sure made each bride beautiful on her special day.
There are two dresses which stood out for me. The first is from 1916; I love the clothes from WWI and this three piece dress of fine lawn is exquisite. My other favorite is from 1957, a beautiful gown of tulle and chantilly lace. It was designed and made by the bride's mother.
It is difficult to find fault with the display as I know very little of the care and display of vintage clothing. However, in an ideal world the display could have been improved in two ways. First, the dresses are sometimes placed far behind the barriers, and it is difficult to see the details. I appreciate fine workmanship, and it was disappointing not to get a closer look. Second, the first dress I saw in the foyer looked a bit rumpled and in need of a steam press. I hope that was just an oversight in an otherwise nice display.
Don't let my suggestions for improvement turn you off from seeing the display because it is otherwise very enjoyable to view. The staff did well with this and should be thanked for their efforts. Please see this before the exhibit changes.
When: March 2, 2011
Where: Watson-Curtze Mansion, 6th and Chestnut Streets
How Much: $5.75 (admission plus gift shop expense)
Today I went to the Watson-Curtse Mansion. I hadn't been to the mansion in several years, and I was saddened at what I saw. The building is worn and in need of a face-lift. There were not many people there; perhaps if more people came, there would be greater cash flow to support the work of the Erie County Historical Society.
I went especially to see the latest exhibit at the mansion, The Wedding Dress Collection. This collection showcases 30 wedding dresses worn between 1798 and 1980. The dresses are stunning not only in their style, variety, color and workmanship, but in the individuality of the wearer. Each dress is unique and I am sure made each bride beautiful on her special day.
There are two dresses which stood out for me. The first is from 1916; I love the clothes from WWI and this three piece dress of fine lawn is exquisite. My other favorite is from 1957, a beautiful gown of tulle and chantilly lace. It was designed and made by the bride's mother.
It is difficult to find fault with the display as I know very little of the care and display of vintage clothing. However, in an ideal world the display could have been improved in two ways. First, the dresses are sometimes placed far behind the barriers, and it is difficult to see the details. I appreciate fine workmanship, and it was disappointing not to get a closer look. Second, the first dress I saw in the foyer looked a bit rumpled and in need of a steam press. I hope that was just an oversight in an otherwise nice display.
Don't let my suggestions for improvement turn you off from seeing the display because it is otherwise very enjoyable to view. The staff did well with this and should be thanked for their efforts. Please see this before the exhibit changes.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A reason for being
Dear Readers,
Welcome to my blog. The purpose of this blog is to share my impressions and experiences of activities in Erie County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. I will go any where my budget allows: restaurants, lectures, concerts, museums, bookstores, libraries, whatever. I hope to keep the entries relatively short (less than 500 words) and from time to time add photographs of the life and beauty of this area.
Today is March 1, 2011. I have a list of places to go this month so stay tuned!
Welcome to my blog. The purpose of this blog is to share my impressions and experiences of activities in Erie County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. I will go any where my budget allows: restaurants, lectures, concerts, museums, bookstores, libraries, whatever. I hope to keep the entries relatively short (less than 500 words) and from time to time add photographs of the life and beauty of this area.
Today is March 1, 2011. I have a list of places to go this month so stay tuned!
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