Four artists are showcasing their colorful creations at Fivesparks in an exhibit titled “4 Voices in Color.” The exhibit displays works by collage artist Margo Ezekiel, painter Susan Aeschbach, fabric artist Cathie Brenner, and eco-printing artist Judi Stein, and it includes brightly colored pieces with a diverse array of styles. The exhibit ends Saturday, July 12, with a closing reception.
After her friend Judi Stein had a pleasant experience exhibiting at Fivesparks a few years ago, Ezekiel decided she wanted to show her art at the venue as well. She reached out to Stein and two other artists who decided to showcase their art together in a joint exhibit called “4 Voices in Color.” The title captures the colorful aspects of each piece and how each artist’s work expresses a different “voice” within the exhibit.
“We Like Each Other” by Susan Aeschbach. (Courtesy photo)
Ezekiel works as a collage artist while Aeschbach creates very bold and colorful paintings, and Brenner uses a variety of different materials, including fabrics. In Brenner’s “Floating Moons,” she has used acrylic paint, beach sand, and seaweed, as well as fabric. Stein’s artwork is often created through a technique called eco-printing, which involves the imprinting of flowers.
All the artists said they were very impressed with Fivesparks’ assistance with the exhibit. Fivesparks board members hung the works and set up the gallery, which the artists appreciated since it’s more common for artists to hang the art themselves. The artists were unsure how the show would be hung in a way that could tie all the pieces together, but they said they were beyond impressed with the way the exhibit turned out. The display was arranged so that the diverse styles of art complemented one another.
When asked why she appreciates working as an artist, Aeschbach said, “Painting is sort of my play space—it’s a time to experiment.” She said she loved to put the brush on the canvas and see where it takes her, not knowing what she’s going to paint, but instead letting the art take control. Her method allows her to freely express herself without setting strict guidelines for herself when starting a painting.
Brenner said being an artist is important to her. “Making art is part of you. It’s your voice. It’s your expression.” She also shared how the art in the exhibit is telling a story on the walls of Fivesparks and each piece of art has conversations with the other works. She added that even while she and the other artists are all back at home, “the artworks are at Fivesparks having conversations with one another.”
Mia Guaetta is a student intern at the Press. She attends UMass Amherst.
