Thank you to all the participants in The Area art exhibit at Pittsburg State University.I came to this project with an open mind but few expectations. Even though I regularly work with art students in painting studio classes at the Kansas City Art Institute, I have a renewed respect for the young artists in The Area exhibit who, early on, have found their individual voice while mastering the skill of turning materials into unique and compelling artworks.
Each generation puts its stamp on the art of the time. And each generation somehow manages to do things slightly different, shifting the dialogue surrounding the art into new areas, and adding to the richness of the experience of art to the viewer. this generation of artists, standing as young adults at the beginning of a new century, have a chance to make a huge difference. Perhaps this will be the generation that finally forges a link to the general population, where taking part in culture-particularly the living culture of our time, is just as important and awarding as any other endeavor in life.
The Area exhibit is a strong showing of the diversity of art – there’s an assured sense of individuality handling of material, the confident formal qualities of composition and color. the work I responded to the most celebrates a vision that is still in touch with its’ youth while taking on themes that acquire resonance in adulthood.
Congratulations to all the participants in the exhibit.
James Brinsfield, Juror, The Area