This October, the Murray Art Guild has a wide variety of exhibits, both indoor and outdoor. Executive director Debi Henri-Danielson speaks to Tracy Ross about their fall programming.
The first exhibit, open now through October 16th, is "FEMMEnomenal Bluegrass Botanicals.” The exhibit is on loan from the Bernheim Forest outside of Louisville.
“We got this exhibit through the recommendation of Shannon Davis Roberts,” Danielson explains. “Her husband, Justin, a willow artist, had done a residency at the Bernheim. Jenni Zeller, the visual arts curator for the Bernheim, had an opportunity for a traveling exhibit. When she looked for a spot in west Kentucky, Shannon recommended the art guild.”
“It is installed on the back patio behind the art guild,” she continues. “It is ten banners that hang from that patio area. The banners represent ten women from Kentucky. It also talks about some native plants.”
“They’re made from old cut prints, so they’re big, and they’re bold. It’s super sweet to have it outside, so people can come out any time they want to see it, weather permitting.”
There will be a community opening for “FEMMEnomenal” on Saturday, October 9th, from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Murray Art Guild. Kayla Little and Sofi Anna Woods of the Black Eyed Susans will provide live music. Hop Hound Brewery will also be there.
“One of the other exhibits we have going on is on Murray State’s campus at Wrather Museum. It’s our annual visual evidence juried exhibition,” Danielson says. “That’s an all-media exhibit…up from October 1st through the 26th.”
“There will be an opening this Friday, October 1st. We’ll be presenting the awards around 6:00 pm. Last year, the show was virtual, so we’re really excited to get to offer it in person again. That’s available for the public to see during regular Wrather Museum hours.”
The juried exhibit contains right around 40 pieces. The pieces range from small pieces of wearable art jewelry to painting, photography, and mixed media work.
“One of the things I love about this show is that it’s people from Murray, Vienna, Illinois, Paducah, Martin, Tennessee,” Danielson says. It’s an eclectic show, but it has something in it for everyone for sure.”
The final October exhibit is in the Murray Art Guild gallery at 500 North 4th Street. “Emergent Socialscapes” is an installation by Diane Dabenacio Nitiham of the Murray State University sociology department.
“The exhibition is reflective of her research that has to do with immigrant communities. I’m excited for Diane to install this, and I look forward to seeing it. It will be a combination of photography and maps [to show] connections between those immigrant cultures,” Danielson says.
For more information on the Murray Art Guild, including upcoming workshops, visit its website.
