The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department will host an exhibition of works by mixed media artist Alvin B. Glen in the display windows of The Meeting Place from March 1-31, 2013. The public is invited to attend a free reception hosted by the artist on Friday, March 8, from 6:00-9:00pm. The artist will also host an open house on Saturday, March 9, from 11:00am-4:00pm.
In Renditions, Glen presents an eclectic collection of mixed media and pastel pieces that capture glimpses of the South Carolina Lowcountry,as well as explore social and spiritual concepts as they relate to the artist’s upbringing in rural Dorchester, SC. The featured works employ a variety of pastels, pencils, dyes, inks, and processes, including collage and transfer, to create images of common people, emotions and ideas.
“I try to encourage the viewer to see familiar subjects in new and sometimes challenging ways,” states Glen. Seldom are images in fully recognizable environments, as the artist has either included or taken away some element. He calls this idea “Surreal-Realism” and uses this term to describe his works. This approach allows viewers the freedom to complete the image and observe, analyze, and interpret the work in a way that may lead to the discovery of an idea or emotion that may be new or surprising. “I prefer not to tell a complete story, but instead allow the viewer to complete the story with the knowledge they bring to the piece,” Glen explains.
Alvin B. Glen began his formal art training at South Carolina State University, where he received a BS in Art Education. He received additional art training at Winthrop University and Furman University, where he served as a graduate intern and graduate teacher assistant at the Governors’ School of the Arts. His work has been exhibited in a number of solo, group, juried, and invitational exhibitions throughout the state for nearly three decades. He currently teaches middle and high school art in Dorchester County.
The Meeting Place is located at 1077 East Montague Avenue in the revitalized Olde Village area of North Charleston. Parking is free. Display window exhibits offer visitors a continuous opportunity to view artwork by different artists monthly or bimonthly. Inquiries about this exhibition and exhibition opportunities may be directed to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843) 740-5854 or culturalarts@northcharleston.org. For information on additional exhibits, programs, and events, visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at http://bit.ly/culturalarts.
