The Hopewell Valley Arts Council will host its second ArtConnect Forum on Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 6-9 pm at The Pennington School in the Welsey Forum at the Yen Humanities Building. The event features two distinguished speakers, Lynn DeClemente Losavio, Collection Manager at The Seward Johnson Atelier, and Gyuri Hollósy, renowned sculptor and painter — both residents of Hopewell Valley.
ArtConnect Forum is a key component of the HV Arts Council’s new program, ArtConnect: Creating Opportunities for Artists. Each meeting features speakers sharing their work, inspiration, and creative process, while providing an opportunity to interact with fellow artists and art lovers.
“ArtConnect Forum is a unique opportunity for the community to gather, learn, and talk about different aspects of the art world. Our March meeting will focus on sculpture and — of course — needed to include local icons: Seward Johnson, Grounds for Sculpture, and The Johnson Atelier,” said HV Arts Council Board President, Carol Lipson.
DeClemente Losavio, Collection Manager at The Seward Johnson Atelier, will share highlights of an exhibit about the Johnson Family currently on display at Grounds for Sculpture. Focusing on the family’s passions, their belief in the spirit of innovation, and the power of community, the exhibit also addresses Seward Johnson’s profound influence on the art world.
She will also discuss the education and sculpting services the Atelier offers to local artists and skilled crafts persons — including modeling, enlarging, casting, fabrication, paint and patina, production and conservation services — all with an emphasis on promoting public art.
“This is a great opportunity for our artists to learn more about the Atelier and its desire to be more accessible to local artists,” said Lipson.
Hollósy will talk about his latest inspiration, “animal architects,” and how he employs a unique formula of resin and sawdust to form the shape and patterns of rotted wood and bark in his creations. He will also share his experiences consulting with the local government of Xinjiang Province in China on the creation of a new sculpture park and his most recent ‘silk road’ commission for the China National Academy of Painting in Beijing. Hollósy is the author of “Voices in An Artist’s Head” which was released in 2017.
“The evolution of Gyuri’s work is fascinating and a wonderful example of problem-solving in action, as he moves away from the use of traditional bronze. His quirky sculpting medium is being used in new commissions all around the world. Gyuri’s ingenuity is truly inspiring!” Lipson shared.
ArtConnect Forum will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 6-9 pm at The Pennington School in the Welsey Forum at the Yen Humanities Building, 112 W. Delaware Ave, Pennington, NJ. Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the HV Arts Council website: hvartscouncil.org. ($10 for HV Arts Council members; $20 general admission)
The Hopewell Valley Arts Council is dedicated to increasing art awareness and appreciation in the greater Hopewell Valley. This nonprofit organization celebrates “art in the everyday” by cultivating all types of creative exploration, artistic expression, and encourages all to see the beauty inherent in the simple and ordinary parts of day-to-day life. Through community collaborators, events, and art-based initiatives, the HV Arts Council highlights local talents and enriches the cultural and creative lives of the community.
Editor’s Disclosure: Mary Galioto is the PR and Media Coordinator for the Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
