Art Exhibit: The Promise of Life- In Memory of Stephen Metcalf

  • Details

  • 9/29/21
  • 10 a.m. -
  • Free
  • All Ages
  • Categories

  • Museum/Exhibit

Event Description

Gilded Pear Gallery is honored to exhibit, posthumously, the paintings of Stephen Metcalf. This exhibition acts as a celebration of the artist, and his work, who passed away August 19, 2020. Due to the Derecho, a natural disaster that devastated the city of Cedar Rapids that same month, the gallery was unable to properly acknowledge his passing and is celebrating his life and art one year later.

On display in the show are Stephen’s recent oil paintings on paper as well as early works (c.1980). While the gallery is paying homage to the artists work, this exhibition is not a retrospective of his overall body of work.

"Simply put, I believe my work is about the act of painting. My paintings, which are non-objective, have influences in the environment. As a painter, my journey is one of discovery through the exploration of ideas, materials, and process. My techniques, which are my own, were not learned or invented in order to paint but were discovered through the act of painting. Each painting is a record of my journey and I invite you to engage in your own personal dialogue with them."

Born in Chicago, Stephen Metcalf grew up in the Midwest. As a child he practiced drawing and painting and by the time he started art school at the University of Illinois his drafting skills could mimic photographs. Frustrated by the tedious nature and predictability of this process, he decided to reinvent himself as an artist and as a graduate printmaking student at the University of Illinois he produced mixed media paintings and large scale works on paper that were recognized by their inclusion in major exhibitions like Drawings USA 77 at the Minnesota museum of art and Works on Paper at the Art Institute of Chicago. After receiving his MFA in Art and Design, Stephen produced hundreds of paintings which are represented in public, private, and corporate collections throughout the United States, including the Illinois State Museum, the Minnesota Museum of Art, the Kirkwood Center Hotel, the U.S. Military Hospital on Nellis Airbase, and the Cleveland Clinic.

A reception will be held at the gallery September 17th, 2021 from 5:00-7:30pm. *Event details regarding COVID-19 below. The Promise of Life is in the Second Floor Gallery and will share the same reception as Fred Easker’s solo exhibition “Meditations on Moments in the Landscape” in the Main Exhibition space on the first floor.

Gilded Pear Gallery is located at 808 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. For hours and more information visit http://www.gildedpeargallery.com–or- call: 319-366-0205

Gallery operations, features, and procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Event: The gallery requires that all persons attending the reception (vaccinated or unvaccinated) be masked. We appreciate you doing your part to keep everyone healthy! If you feel sick, have a fever, have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not fully recovered, or have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting your test results, you may not participate in this event. The exhibit will be on view for a while, stop back in when you’re feeling better! Food and beverage details will be updated on our social media and website; as well as RSVP link to the event.

Visit Us: Drop in anytime during our regular business hours: Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm, and CLOSED on Sunday. Appointments for our services (i.e.-custom framing, art appraisals) are preferredPrivate viewing appointments are still being offered and can be made by contacting the gallery via email or phone (this is a great option for anyone still leery about public events).

Features: A limited parking lot is available with 1 handicap space. On street parking is available on 3rd Avenue and 8th Street- non-metered. The MedQuarter features protected bike lanes and bicycle “parking” can be found on the opposite side of the building by the Pocket Park on 3rd and 8th. 

There are no admission fees for private viewings or receptions.

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