Opening reception for Vera Ranguelova’s new show of encaustic paintings at Arts Iowa City’s ArtiFactory Gallery

Opening reception for "City Portraits," a new exhibit of Vera Ranguelova’s encaustic artwork at Arts Iowa City’s ArtiFactory Gallery (120 N. Dubuque St.) on Friday March 7 from 5-8 p.m., during Gallery Walk.

Vera Ranguelova was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. She moved to Iowa City, where she earned her BA and MA at the University of Iowa. After 20 years in Seattle and a career in design and marketing for health care and medical devices, Vera returned to Iowa City, dedicated to her passion for the ancient art of encaustic painting. She paints with a propane torch, a mixture of beeswax, damar resin, and dry pigments dissolved in the molten wax.

Vera is interested in the beauty and complexity of patterns: imagined, tangible, or defined by culture. Wax is a unique painting material: it melts or hardens in surprising forms. Smooth like glass and rough like rocks, wax challenges the idea of perfection, plays with light, and creates space. 

The show runs through March. The gallery is open on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m., or by appointment.  Admission is free.

Vera represents the Iowa Artisans Gallery in Iowa City. Contact that gallery for current available art or commissions. Email: [email protected]. Website: https://flameartstudio.com Social Media: Instagram: @studioflameart; Facebook: flameartencaustic.