The Atlantic Gallery in Chelsea’s Landmark Arts Building is managed by the artists it represents. The annual show, “Connections,” gives member artists the opportunity to invite guest artists and “emphasizes the bonds between artist-friends who share thoughts about their work, communicate through their work, and admire and appreciate each other’s work.”
This year, one of the featured partnerships is between member artist and longtime CALA instructor Meera Thompson, whose work is shown alongside creative collage pieces by artists and former students Stefanie Russell and Paul Katcher.
For Stefanie Russell, who in addition to being an artist is a respected professor and dental surgeon, the initial appeal of collage was its accessibility. Collage can be less intimidating to a beginner than drawing or painting. However, it does serve as a stepping stone to other art forms by helping a person develop a sense of color, composition, and think about expressing concepts through images.
For Paul Katcher, a longtime photographer, the hands-on approach to repurposing and manipulating materials delivers an analog engagement in an increasingly digital art world. Flea markets, craft shops, collected pieces of nature, and even leisurely eBay searching are all sources for material to preserve history, tell new stories, or simply make aesthetically pleasing compositions. He finds the process altogether meditative, informative and energizing.
On the opening night of Connections IV, Meera confided to us that she is never more herself than when she is making art. If you’re curious to explore your own creativity through collage, this article on Artsy can give you some tips to get you started. Those interested in developing their artistic skills under Meera’s mentorship have the opportunity to take her Fall 2019 course, Introduction to Drawing.
Connections IV is on view at the Atlantic Gallery through August 3rd.
(all photos courtesy of Paul Katcher)
Other Fall 2019 courses of interest: