Starting May 31, a new show titled “Summer Diversions” will be on display for visitors to the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, on the campus of Central Methodist University. An opening reception will be held that Sunday, and the show will run through July 23.
Headlining the summer show will be glass art by Fayette based artist Patricia Rubinelli. Her exhibit, titled “Bubbles: The Shape of Breath,” will be on display in the Geist Gallery. A native of Columbia, Rubinelli earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas before moving on to a career as a painter, photographer, and glass artist. After studying and working on both coasts of the United States, she returned to Missouri and has focused on establishing a glass studio for continued exploration of the material.
Rubinelli says her exhibition “traces an ongoing exploration of how invisible forces—breath, heat, gravity, and motion—can be shaped into form.” The pieces show her transition from photographic studies of light refractions to work in three dimensions and color with her glass work.
Rubinelli also expressed her gratitude toward Tyler Pierson and Dr. Joe Geist – Gallery curator and registrar, respectively – and said the opportunity to be featured in the show is a special one.
“I feel incredibly honored to be included in such a beautiful space alongside such talented artists. Having a show in the town where we live makes it especially meaningful, and I’m very much looking forward to meeting more people from the community through the exhibit,” she said.
Alongside the Rubinelli exhibit, the Yancey Gallery will feature works by one of Missouri’s most gifted artists, Fayette native Monte Crews.
Born in Fayette in 1888, Crews went on to become a prolific artist and illustrator, best known for working alongside Norman Rockwell on covers of the Saturday Evening Post. His illustrations appeared on covers for many of the most popular publications of the time, when magazines provided the only color images available in media.
Rounding out the summer show will be an exhibition of photographs from the Gallery’s permanent collection, titled “The World in Focus.” All three exhibits will be on display from May 31 to July 23, from 1:30 to 4:30 every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon. Special tours and groups are also welcome by appointment. Contact Pierson at tpierson@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6304 to schedule a time. The Gallery is located on the first floor of Classic Hall, on the CMU Fayette campus.