Young artists’ work up on display

By Liz Barry

Published: July 2, 2008

Seven local artists will explore the boundaries of art and fashion at the “Emerging Young Artist Show,” opening Friday for First Friday at 921 Main Street Fine Art.

The exhibition features artists in their 20s and 30s, and veers from traditional fine art, said co-curator Meridith De Avila. The pieces range from graphic design T-shirts to oil paintings to macabre wooden dolls.

One of the show’s goals is to give the city’s emerging artists a chance to exhibit.

“For them, art is not something they are able to sustain on a full-time basis,” De Avila says. “What impresses me is they are all actively creating in their spare time. They have each really found a voice.”

Several of the artists, including Kimberly Gibson, said they hope the show will strengthen the city’s young artist community. Gibson, an art teacher at E.C. Glass High School, will show three hand-carved wooden dolls, which stand 3 to 4 feet tall, and three multimedia figures in boxes.

“Being a young artist in Lynchburg can be intimidating and also discouraging,” Gibson said in an e-mail. “There is a limited amount of space in the city for rising artists and artists who are trying something new.”

Craig Nicol from Bedford County said the show is a positive force in the community.

“It’s good for Lynchburg, but it’s also good for the young artist to have a place and a forum to display some work, to keep motivated and confident.”

Nicol will exhibit a triptych — a three-panel composition — that uses Buddhist iconography to challenge cultural and gender biases toward religion. He will also show a three-piece series about food, which includes a sculpture of spaghetti with meatballs and bread made from cleaning supplies.

Two of the artists use fashion to make statements. Becca McCharen will show handmade garments, and Jawansa Hall will show graphic design T-shirts.

David Emmert will display ceramic pieces. Self-taught photographers Ashley Florence and Derrick Helm each will exhibit a collection of photographs.

The opening reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. The exhibition will run through July 25.