Moments: Alden Mason, Steve Klein, and Karen Simonson

September 2 – November 4

Opening "Meet the Artist" Reception:

September 2

5-8pm

The Arts Council of Snohomish County is thrilled to present Moments: Alden Mason, Steve Klein, and Karen Simonson an exhibit bringing together renowned artists of different generations and media.

Early in his career Alden Mason’s experimentation with watercolors and oils led to national and international recognition, including his1970’s Burpee Garden series named after the seed catalogs that came to the Skagit Valley farm where he grew up. Over the years his work has alternated between abstract and figurative styles, with much of his recent work reflecting his appreciation for the primitive cultures observed on his many global adventures.

The exhibit will open with a “Meet the Artists” reception on Thursday, July 8, from 5-8pm. This event is free to the public. The gallery is located at 1507 Wall Street in downtown Everett. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10-5pm and on Saturday from 11-4pm.

Although the imagery and media used by Mason have gone through many changes over his 91 years, he was forced to switch to acrylic paints after suffering from an allergic reaction to the toxic fumes of oil paints; his paintings always exhibit exuberance and inventiveness. Mason’s protégée Karen Simonson also strives for inventive ways to express her inspiration by combining media. She begins each piece with a layer of acrylic paint then switches to oil, letting the under-painting serve as a base for exploring interesting shapes and forms.

Moments will also feature glass artist Steve Klein who has taught, studied, and shown his art in exhibitions throughout the US, the UK, Australia, and Taiwan. His unique, exploratory approach to kiln working highlights the beauty of glass and its relationship with light. Included in this exhibit are several works from his Exploration series, which he began several years ago as a vehicle to explore personal relationships. Inspired by the paintings of the abstract expressionist movement, this series combines color, line, and form to create an object of unified elements.