Reception: Spring Solo Exhibitons

Gilded Pear Gallery is excited to present the spring exhibitions: "Tell Me Everything” a solo exhibition of canvas paintings by abstract artist Thérèse Murdza, featured in the Main Gallery- and- “Constellations” a solo exhibition of signature mixed media paintings and sculptures by Cedar Rapids artist John Beckelman, on view in the 2^nd floor gallery.

"Tell Me Everything": Main Floor Exhibition

Using colors and shapes inspired by Murdza's synesthetic experience, paintings created engage and enliven where we work, rest, and gather. Since 2001, writer turned visual artist, Thérèse Murdza has applied paints and pencils to create large, multi-paneled works on canvas, and smaller works on canvas and paper. This exhibition showcases the signature bright, richly textured paintings. "In this newest work, I’m mapping and marking time; exploring the ways we count (and count on) the days. I'm particularly curious about our calendars, and how we use them to imagine a future."

www.gildedpeargallery.com/tell-me-everythingwww.gildedpeargallery.com/tell-me-everything

"Constellations": 2^nd Floor Gallery

Our second-floor gallery focuses on artworks requiring a more intimate setting; viewing the artwork needs “getting up close”. John Beckelman uses the elemental character and expressive potential of clay to create incredibly diverse bodies of work. The artworks featured in this exhibit explore liminal space and are often referenced as topographic or cosmographic. At the same time, this work attempts to gently entice the viewer into the inner landscapes and interior spaces of our imagination and memory. “If you want to pare phenomena down, all there would be are stillness and occurrence: space, and that which is continually born out of space, and returns into space –- stillness and occurrence”. -The Wisdom of No Escape, Pema Chodron, pg. 74.

Beckelman's artwork has been shown in exhibitions throughout the country and has been the recipient of numerous awards, commissions and grants. Following an undergraduate degree (BA English, Philosophy) from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, he received his Master of Science and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Ceramics from Illinois State University. After a 37 year teaching career at Coe College, where he taught ceramics, sculpture and three- dimensional design - and served as the Art Department chair for 20 years - Beckelman is now the college‘s Robert O. Daniel Professor of Art, Emeritus. John Beckelman lives and works in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He maintains a studio at the ‘Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio’ in downtown Cedar Rapids.

www.gildedpeargallery.com/constellations

Gallery operations and features:

Event: Receptions are open to the public and there are no admission fees. We are monitoring the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks are not required at this time.

Visit Us: Drop in anytime during gallery 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 preferred.

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.