Shannon Soldner

Somewhere in the Middle

On display in the South Gallery of the Columbia Art League

December 3rd, 2024 - January 4th, 2025

Artist Statement

This series explores the intersection of experience and memory, inspired by my travels through Spain and other parts of Europe. It examines how we attempt to convey the essence of personal moments, even as memory evolves.

Through the use of bright, candy-colored glazes and hazy transparencies, I reflect on the fluid and often unreliable nature of memory. The interplay between fully rendered and sketch-like elements captures the inherent challenges of expressing the subtleties of lived experiences. As we share our recollections, some details are amplified, others fade, and some vanish altogether.

At its core, my work speaks to our desire to connect through shared experience, despite its inherent imperfections. By reinterpreting memories from my travels, I explore how they transform—not only in the act of recalling them but also in the way we attempt to communicate them to others. These paintings are both a meditation on the personal nature of memory and an acknowledgment of the universal need to bridge the divide between individual experience and collective understanding.

Mzeona Iagorashvili

On display in the hallway of Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia.

November 26, 2024 - January 3, 2025

Brooke's Joy in the Members' Show

Why do you like art? Do you enjoy art that’s provocative and disturbing? Or maybe you prefer art that’s comforting and nostalgic? Over the few shows I’ve experienced at CAL, each one has surprised me with a unique reason to love art. They’ve all left an impression, but none more than this year’s members' show. I’d like to take a moment to talk about a few pieces that really appealed to me—pieces that spark joy.

Inessa Morelock, “Dodo, left! “ Mixed Sculpture, Link to Art

First up, we have Dodo, Left!, by Inessa Morelock. This piece may be extinct according to science, but Morelock brings the dodo bird back to life in a mixed-media sculpture that’s one of the funniest I’ve ever encountered—talk about sparking joy! The dodo is loud and expressive; it takes up space and demands attention. If this piece were a song, it’d definitely be Manic Monday, by the Bangles. When I look at this dodo, I see myself—my chaotic mornings, missing the alarm, and throwing on whatever I hope could pass for an outfit. I am the manic dodo. The sculpture’s wild green eyes and pursed red beak are a little intimidating, and its stance dares you to challenge it. This dodo isn’t here to make friends; it’s here to make enemies. Not enough art embraces the ridiculous—we often get bogged down in what’s peaceful and pretty (not that pretty art doesn’t have its place), but Morelock shows relentless expression without worrying about whether it’s tame or serene. This piece is one of my favorites because it’s unapologetic, hilarious, and weird—all my favorite things.

Eric Seat, “Exploration V”, oil on canvas, Link to art

Next is Exploration V, by Eric Seat. This painting is large and deeply emotional. When I look at it, I feel overwhelmed. The deep reds and oranges evoke a sense of carnage. My eyes trick me into seeing bones and limbs, like it’s the aftermath of a violent war. Yet when I peer into the canvas, I feel fear, but I also see growth. I see a phoenix cobbling itself together from disjointed parts. I see growth born from suffering. As you trace the diagonal lines and geometric elements, you uncover what I think is hope. Seat’s piece isn’t about simple joy or something superficial. From it, I find joy in the possibility of what might come from the chaos.

Matthew Ballou, “Awkward Balance”, oil on panel, Link to art

And lastly, I have to mention Awkward Balance, by Mathew Ballou. I think I might have a thing for weird birds, but this one is no exception. Ballou’s piece features two birds—one right side up, and the other hanging upside down. The piece is displayed at an angle, so it’s not immediately clear which bird is actually right side up. It’s up to the viewer to decide. Turning your head to view the birds the other way around only adds to the ambiguity. The colors and abstracted background let the birds take center stage, drawing you into their presence. This piece is playful and invites interaction. I find myself laughing at my own ridiculousness as I tilt my head around, giving these two silly birds my attention. After all, all they want is a moment of your time.

Please consider giving any of the pieces from our members' show a moment of your time. Each piece offers a unique experience, and I promise you’ll find plenty of joy as you face the incredible work in our gallery right now.

-Brooke the Intern

Give the Gift of Art: Members' Winter Exhibition 2024

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery

11/12/24 - 1/2/25

Reception: Friday, November 15, 6-8 pm

This un-themed, Members-only show is always a holiday delight! We invite our artists to showcase the work they are most proud of, allowing you the opportunity to snatch it up as a holiday gift! This show will be judges, with ribbons to be given out at the reception.

Congratulations to the ribbon winners! And an extra special thanks to our judge, Lee Ann Garrison. See below for her Judge’s statement.

1st: Nate Halwel, Waiting for Chips

2nd: Mike Sleadd, Hand of An Aging Artist

3rd: Jadi Davis, Crystal Labeija from “For Those Who Dared” Series

Honorable Mentions

Kate Gray, Black and Gold Sunset

Eric Seat, Exploration V

Randall McDermit, Distinguishing Yourself

Tootie Burns, Antlers

Erin Potter, Temple Grandin

Norm Anderson, Pizza Station

Matt Ballou, Awkward Balance

Gennie Pfannenstiel, Dancing in the Rain

Judge’s Statement:

Columbia is a city that wholeheartedly embraces the arts, exemplified by its vibrant Arts District, the First Friday events, and the ongoing contributions of the Columbia Art League. I am honored to have been invited a second time to jury a members’ exhibition at the Columbia Art League. This exhibition showcases the remarkable diversity of artistic expression within our community, encompassing everything from fine arts to high-level crafts. Featured works include paintings, photographs, drawings, collages, ceramics, sculptures, fiber art, functional wooden objects, and captivating jewelry. It is always a pleasure to witness the extensive range of skills, techniques, and creative concepts that our local artists present. Spending time in the gallery today was truly a rewarding experience.

Jurying an exhibition is always difficult because there are so many great choices. As with any jury, artists know selections are just the juror’s opinion and a different juror would surely select other works.

I was drawn to Nate Halwel’s portrait by the quality of the paint, especially the edges where the hair meets the background on the right. The pensive gaze of the quiet woman captures a moment of stillness and thought. The frame also intrigued me. It becomes part of the painting. The soft blue line of the frame on the left dissolves into white along the bottom and right side while blending with the background color across the top. The strong vertical of the blue echoes the verticals of the thicker light brown on the right with is set off by the whitish blue frame and the dark green verticals that border it. To me, the painting showed more than the title, Waiting for Chips, implied.

Mike Sleadd’s Hands of the Aging Artist, intrigued me with its intricate pen and ink lines and marks in the central image set off by the dark background. A viewer could spend a long time moving through the image following the intricate pathways created by the chiaroscuro light and shadow of the strange collection that loosely resembles a hand.

Jadi Davis’s Crystal Labeija from “For Those Who Dared” Series brought a moment of joy when I turned to that wall. The felted portrait of a woman created in monochromatic grays and blacks against the patterned blue woven background pushed out of the black mat in the white frame, then pushed even closer to the viewer with the furry black and white collar or scarf that extends over the frame and invades the viewer’s space.

I know I selected a large number of Honorable Mentions, but any one of them could easily have been in the top three. And many more could have been added. I enjoyed each and every piece in this exhibit.

Tootie Burns

Birds and Beads

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

October 29 - November 23, 2024

Artist Statement

I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to show work in the CAL South Gallery. The pieces in this show allowed me to continue exploring mixed media and collage in a more in-depth body of work. 

Artist Bio

Tootie Burns is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in Financial Planning. Burns works as a mixed media artist and has maintained studio space at Orr St. Studios since 2008.  Burns is active in the local arts community and works to promote community artists and arts programming. 

5th Annual Patrons' Party!

The 5th Annual Patrons’ Party is part “art auction,” part raffle, all fun, and with a twist. Here’s how it works: our talented community of artists will donate original artworks worth $150 or more. There will be one ticket available for each work of art. On the evening of the Patrons’ Preview Party, ticket holders will have the chance to scout their favorites and make their Top 10 Most Wanted lists. On the night of the event, Patrons will enjoy music and refreshments in the Missouri Theatre lobby.

Here’s how it works:

Artists donated artworks valued at $150+.

Artwork on display at CAL from October 22 - November 1

Preview Art Party: Wednesday, October 23rd 6-8 PM - live music, food + wine, desserts

Select your artwork via Zoom: November 2nd or 3rd during your time slot.

The twist: you will be assigned a randomly generated number and you will select your artwork in order of the number you receive.

This fun event celebrates the creativity and generosity of our talented local artists and the enthusiastic patrons who support the arts in Columbia. This is an exciting and important FUNdraiser for CAL!

Ticket prices:

$150 - includes the Preview Art Party + an original one-of-a-kind Artwork!

$175 - includes the Preview Art Party with an original one-of-a-kind Artwork AND a guest can join you at the party!

$25 - includes the Preview Art Party, but does NOT include an artwork

John Fennell

PAINTINGS IN PAINTINGS

Rhymes, Memories, Mysteries

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

October 1 - October 26, 2024

Artist Statement

Landscapes and abstractions share a kind of visual poetry in painting. In landscapes we see the outside world interpreted through the mind of the artist. Similarly, I like to think of abstractions as landscapes of the mind. Through line, shape, color, and rhythm, we see not the outside world, but the inner, unknown realms. What happens when you marry these approaches? In fusing abstract paintings with landscapes or still life, I’m searching for conceptual and visual rhymes, relationships, or contradictions. In my explorations, memory sometimes comes into play, yet as often mystery results from such pairings. It’s as if the harmony or dissonance of merging the known and unknown creates a different visual reality suggesting new meanings that beg as many questions as answers.

Artist Bio

Chicago native John Fennell has been a painter for more than 40 years and works out of Orr Street Studios in Columbia. After graduating from Northern Illinois University, he attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago and then studied privately with a number of well-known artists. He later earned a master's degree in painting and drawing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has exhibited in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Hong Kong, as well as Kansas City, St. Louis, and other cities throughout Missouri. His work is in many private collections. He is a Missouri School of Journalism emeritus professor where he taught magazine writing, design, and publishing. Before teaching, he was a journalist and magazine editor.

www.johnfennellart.com

Brooke’s Myths & Monsters Field Guide

Hey everyone! I’m Brooke, CAL’s intern. In our current show, Myths and Monsters, you might be surprised by the diverse range of creatures we showcase (from Bigfoot to Baba Yaga!) With so many myths, it’s natural that not everyone will recognize them all, and that’s where I come in. I’d like to share brief explanations of some of the unique beings we have on display.

First, I want to highlight the Night Hag, featured in Cassandra Stokes’ piece, Modern Nightmare: Night Hag. The Night Hag is a name for a common hallucination experienced during sleep paralysis. When someone has sleep paralysis, they feel immobilized and often sense an evil presence sitting on their chest or nearby. Often thought of as demons, the Night Hag is one term for these experiences. In Stokes' digital artwork, we see a looming figure over the paralyzed subject, who is immobilized not by a demon but by a phone, adding a modern twist to the fear of paralysis.

Cassandra Stokes, Modern Nightmare: Night Hag

The second marvelous creature I want to highlight is the Japanese myth of the Oni, depicted in Amanda Bradley's piece, Broken Oni. According to Japanese folklore, powerful demons known as Onis inhabit deep caves and oceans. They are characterized by superstrength, the ability to wield lightning and thunder, and a penchant for murder and cannibalism. In Bradley's piece, we see a beautiful girl beneath the crumbling mask of an Oni, accompanied by a sign that reads, “I am not dangerous.” This raises the question of whether the Oni is truly harmless or if the girl's appearance is merely a deceptive facade. We must consider whether this demon is as evil as we might assume.

Amanda Bradley, Broken Oni

Next is the local myth of the Miniwashitu, or the Missouri River Monster. In Colette Brumbaugh's serene painting, Watching for Miniwashitu/Missouri River Monster, we wait patiently on the shore for this elusive creature. The Miniwashitu has one eye and a large horn like a rhino. Supposedly 8 feet tall and furry like Bigfoot, this bison-elk-human hybrid can bring spring by breaking up the remaining ice in the river as temperatures rise. Originating from North Dakota’s Indigenous Mandan tribe, the Miniwashitu has recently gained a following among those captivated by this lovable cyclops-unicorn creature.

Colette Brumbaugh, Watching for Miniwashitu/Missouri River Monster

By far the most awe-inspiring creature in this field guide is the Shuryō Tatsu, marvelously depicted in Adrian Paladi’s triptych. In Japanese, Shuryō Tatsu translates to “Guardian Dragon,” symbolizing strength and benevolence. These dragons are believed to ward off evil and ensure good fortune, often displayed outside religious spaces and playing a significant role in Japanese mythology. In Paladi’s painting, the viewer can appreciate the reverence and grandeur of this powerful being. The piece is truly mesmerizing.

Adrian Paladi, Shuryō Tatsu

I believe that a culture's monsters reflect its societal fears and worries. A powerful example is the myth of Fear Gorta from Irish folklore. Bill Carney’s drawing hauntingly depicts “the Hungry Man,” or Fear Gorta, embodying Ireland’s fear and reality of famine. This solitary, gaunt monster is said to roam the streets as the spirit of a man who starved to death. When sacred places were desecrated or immoral acts committed, Fear Gorta would rise from the earth and wander the land, haunting the village.

Bill Carney, Fear Gorta

Lastly, to end on a cheerful note, our final myth is the quirky Mrs. Whatsit from A Wrinkle in Time. This character holds a special place in my heart—Ruthie Moccia’s depiction of her in Mrs. Whatsit with Louise the Larger closely matches how I imagine her. Mrs. Whatsit is a fictional character from Madeleine L'Engle's novel. Bubbly and whimsical, she guides the child protagonists on their journey through time. Her companion, Louise the Larger, is a telepathic snake found in the children’s garden. Together they embody delightful whimsy.

Ruthie Moccia, Mrs. Whatsit with Louise the Larger

Stay Spooky!

-Brooke

Myths & Monsters

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Gallery at the Columbia Art League

September 10 - October 17, 2024

Reception: September 20, 6 - 8 pm

Ribbons will be given out at the reception at 6:45 pm.

Delve into the depths of human imagination, and enter a realm where reality and fantasy intertwine. Myths & Monsters celebrates the power of storytelling and the enduring fascination with the unknown. Artists are challenged to unravel the mysteries of ancient tales and explore the rich tapestry of myths, legends, and creatures that have captured our collective imagination throughout history. 

Congratulations to the ribbon winners! Thank you to our Juror, Meghan McClellan!

1st: Inessa Morelock - Bloody Mary

2nd: Cassandra Stokes - Ahhhh

3rd: Shannon Soldner - A Ritual Goodbye

HM: 

Susan Taylor Glasgow -Alkonost

Robert Friedman - Restless

Alisha Morton - World’s Smallest Violin

Colleen Smith - Consume (Daphne & Apollo)

Madison Tasker - Antyteza

Ira Papick - Beware of a Cornered Dog

Myths & Monsters is a juried show open to all artists 16+ years old, all media welcome.

Brooke's Exploration of Lush

Hey Y’all! My name is Brooke, and I am CAL’s newest intern. I'm a senior in high school and planning on studying art curation in college. Here are a few thoughts I have on our current show, Lush. I hope you enjoy!

These days, the outdoors often feels like an inconvenient middle ground between the comfort of air-conditioned indoors. In a world dominated by man-made, manufactured, and monochromatic environments, artists and dreamers are increasingly drawn to the wild and lush. As I reflect on CAL’s summer show, I am captivated by the brilliant art that adorns the space.

The first piece, MoonBather (Nymph with a Strong Back) by Colleen Smith, strikes me as a clear reference to Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's painting La Grande Odalisque (1814), which was the subject of much controversy. Ingres's painting features an idealized female nude, which has been criticized for its eroticism and perceived vulgarity. In contrast, Smith’s MoonBather presents a similar female nude sprawled across the canvas, but this woman seems more authentic. Her back folds into rolls as she looks over her shoulder, relaxed and at ease. Her face conveys judgment and caution, creating a striking contrast with her exposed body. This figure is not only vulnerable to the viewer but also to the natural surroundings. How often do we allow ourselves to be so unguarded and defenseless? I love this piece because the woman is unapologetically immersed in nature. In my opinion, she embodies the most "lush" qualities: content, confident, and full. MoonBather invites viewers to embrace their own lushness.

Another painting that caught my eye and heart is Kimono Dragon by Greg Brockmeier. This relatively large watercolor and ink portrait features a remarkably realistic Komodo dragon dressed in a fantastically floral kimono robe. I must admit, my appreciation for this piece is partly superficial; I find it utterly amusing. The play on words and the juxtaposition of a sophisticated headshot composition with a playful subject matter make it irresistible. To me, this piece is also lush. Even the simplest contributions to nature, such as a whimsically adorned Komodo dragon, bring us closer to the vibrant world around us.

Lastly, I must mention Lindsay Picht’s watercolor and gouache piece Bouquet Makers. This work illustrates what lushness means to most of us. In a world dominated by the artificial, moments of genuine connection with nature offer solace. Most of us are not mountaineers or park rangers; we engage with nature in more modest, sporadic ways. In Bouquet Makers, I see a reflection of my own lush life—simple and pleasant.

-Brooke

Sketchbook Show

Come by to see all sketchbooks in person. Take them off the wall, pick them up, turn the pages, spend some time in an artists’ brain.

August 27 - September 28

For artists the sketchbook is used to improve skills, record progress, explore ideas, keep visual memories, and experiment where no one else can judge. Sketchbooks are an invaluable tool to use wherever you are in your art making journey.

Having a sketchbook habit will improve your drawing skills and help you develop your own style over time. In it you can draw what’s in front of you, take it with you, record moments of your lived experience. You can apply different media to see what relationships form. You can cover up what you don’t like and repeat what you love.

These artists are letting the visitor look at their thoughts on paper. We get to see the recorded lines of the hand of the artist as it moved around the paper observing the pressure and tension of pencil, pen, or paint.

 Thank you and congratulations to all who participated.

Your vulnerability is a gift to the viewer.

Stacia Schaefer

On display in the hallway of Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia, Missouri

August 23 - October 13, 2024

Artist Statement

I love the physicality required to create my artwork. I enjoy the process as much or even more than the end result. The physical labor involved with both clay and fiber art gives me a sense of presence within the world. I am conscious of the texture of the rope, the heat of the wood kiln, the silken smoothness of some glazes, or the chalkiness of others – and this awareness gives me both energy and tranquility at the same time. As I work with my hands my mind relaxes and focuses better than if I am still. I find the way both mediums contrast and complement each other inspiring as I combine them.

Each piece in this collection is a study of the principles of design – especially contrast, repetition, balance, proportion, movement, and rhythm. In several pieces I enlarged the focus to a single knot to emphasize what I find fascinating about them: they are so simple and so complex at the same time. In other pieces, I was inspired by nature and the desire to bring order to the world around me.

Artist Bio

Graphic designer and artist Stacia Schaefer has lived in Columbia since attending MU in the late 1980s, where she earned a BA in English and a BFA in Art. She has worked as a graphic designer and communications professional for 30 years. Currently, Schaefer is a Senior Strategic Communications Associate at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Her fiber art has won awards in the Boone County Art Show and can be found for sale at Poppy and Columbia Art League, and on Etsy. 

Joel Chrisman

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

July 30 - August 24, 2024

Artist Statement

As an artist and musician, my interest is in the study of repeated patterns in light and sound. Observing the separation of light and shadow in a landscape, a window-lit room, or the lights of my studio, as they shower my tools and workspace, compels me to record those fragments in mostly realistic impressions. 

Whether working from my photographs or life, my subjects are almost always happened upon, rarely assembled or constructed, although I may make decisions of omission and inclusion. The elements of chance and discovery are the primary contributing factors in these compositions.

The moment of creation for me is in the visualization of a possibility, discovering that viewpoint in space where the dance of shapes and shadows falls into a rhythmic balance of light and dark. Then, with my camera or a simple mat board viewer, the image is isolated and I join the dance and become a participant as I record the moment.

Artist Bio

Joel Chrisman was born in 1947 in Blue Springs, Missouri. He attended public school K-12 in Blue Springs and served in the US Air Force from 1966-70. He began working in county government in Denver, Colorado, as a cartographer in 1970, until he began studying graphic design at the Colorado Institute of Art in 1975. In 1978, he started his business as a freelance commercial artist and graphic designer, which he did through 1993. Custom picture framing occupied his time until 2006 when he shifted to making art solely for his own pleasure. 

Lush

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery at the Columbia Art League

July 23 - September 5, 2024

Reception: July 26, 6 - 8 pm

Ribbons will be given out at the reception at 6:45 pm.

Celebrate the richness and vitality of the natural world, from lush forests to blooming gardens. Mother Nature offers us healing and connection through her landscapes, foliage, and beautiful petals, a wonder we challenge artists to capture for this exhibition. 

Lush is a juried show open to all artists 16+ years old, all media welcome.

Congratulations to the ribbon winners! Thank you to our Juror, Zoe Hawk! Keep reading to see Zoe’s Juror Statement!

1st: Colleen Smith - Squash Circle Seance

2nd: Kathryn Mitter - Crape Myrtle

3rd: Megan Steinlage - Nude Sunbathing in Nature

HM: 

John Fennell - Vision and Hope: The Color of Early Morning

Greg Brockmeier - Kimono Dragon

Sydney Marquardt - Green Reflections

Jane Mudd - Piece of Prairie

Dave Walker - Where Seldom is Heard

Juror’s Statement

“I am honored to have been asked by CAL to jury Lush, an exhibition celebrating the natural world. While Lush is a particularly verdant show, the works also offer sunset hues, vibrant florals, snowy whites, and rich blues depicting water and sky. Some pieces capture the beauty of untouched landscapes, pruned gardens, and grand vistas, while others offer us an intimate look at the smallest leaf, petal, or wing details. Figurative pieces in the exhibition explore our human relationship with nature, situating the body within these living spaces, sometimes to the point of allowing leaves and vines to envelop them.
By depicting the natural world in art, we investigate our relationship with the earth, both the good and the bad. We are enthralled with its beauty, and awestruck by its wildness; we attempt to capture and dissect it and examine our inner nature and vulnerability as human beings. The three selected winners of the exhibition demonstrated exceptional technical skill—rich use of color, harmonious composition, and expert handling of material—but I was also drawn to layered elements of mystery, metaphor, and luxuriant beauty present in these works that I felt embodied the depth of our relationship with nature.”

Curtis Hendricks

On display in Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia

July 12 - August 23

Artist Statement

Photographic Art has to be about more than just making pictures look pretty. It has to push perception beyond the ordinary – see the world beyond the veil and encourage the viewer to think about their realities. It has to be more ‘art’ than ‘photo’.

I began making photographic captures at age 15, working with film cameras and composing my work in darkrooms. The advent of digital photography and the emergence of the computer as the new darkroom opened broad new avenues for artistic expression that have dominated my imagination ever since. I aim to capture a range of subjects and styles, from abstract to cityscapes, landscapes to portraiture, extreme color to noir, realism to surrealism. I never stop experimenting and exploring new tools and techniques. Recently, I have begun blending layers of my digital compositions, often simple geometric shapes, to increase my work’s depth and complexity.

I have made the point that the photographic artist has to nail both the photography and the artistic expression for a piece to be successful – and now that I have begun incorporating digital art, original composition as well. The act of creating, I feel, is akin to breathing.

Artist Bio

Curtis Hendricks began shooting with his father’s 35mm Agfa when he was 15, growing up in a tiny farming town in downstate Illinois. He worked primarily in Kodachrome and black and white prints until the advent of digital photography turned his attention to abstract and surrealism, migrating between works of extreme color and stark noir. Since he began exhibiting his extensive portfolio in several Missouri galleries he has received numerous awards and recognitions.

He believes photographic art has to be about more than just making pictures look pretty. It has to push perception and encourage the viewer to think. It has to be more ‘art’ than ‘photo’. Hendricks received a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications/Journalism from Illinois State University, and after two years in U.S. Peace Corps received a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Missouri. He lives with his family in Jefferson City.

Mentorship Program Exhibition 2024

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

July 9 - July 27, 2024

Reception: Thursday, July 11, 5:30-7 pm

Pop into the gallery to see works from local high school students participating in this year's Mentorship Program!

CAL's Mentorship Program is designed to increase accessibility to meaningful engagement with the arts for underserved populations, specifically high school artists, in Columbia communities. These artists have worked, alongside their professional artist mentors, for the past 6 months, building a body of work in their preferred medium.

Didi's Take on the Members' Summer Show

Hello! My name is Didi Setzin, and I am currently a sophomore at Mizzou, majoring in Art History. As a summer intern at CAL, I helped put the Member’s show together. There was an impressive number of participants and a diverse range of artworks on display. This opportunity has allowed me to engage deeply with the art community and appreciate the creativity and effort that goes into each piece. 

Here are the 3 artworks that stood out and impacted me :

1. Richard Hoeppner, Sunset Vessel

This artwork, titled "Sunset Vessel" by Richard Hoeppner, is a beautifully crafted wooden piece that stands out due to its expert craftsmanship and vibrant colors. The wooden vessel features a gradual increase of warm sunset tones. This is formed from the deep reds to golden yellows, which evokes the serenity of a typical sunset. The smooth, rounded body contrasts the vessel's meticulous detailed lid and base. There is visible intricate detail which creates a dynamic appeal. This interplay between the vessel’s bulbous form and slender rods introduces a sense of tension and creates a dynamic emotional response. The glossy finish enhances the rich colors and highlights the wood's natural texture.  This piece is both aesthetically pleasing and captivating. There is a moment of tranquility and beauty.

2. Adrian Paladi, Protector

This artwork, titled "Protector" by Adrian Paladi, portrays a warrior in traditional armor. The figure is standing firmly in front of a bridge in a serene environment. The figures' detailed red and black armor contrasts with the muted, almost monochromatic background which highlights the warrior's strength and presence. The backdrop which features trees and architectural designs, suggests an environment rich in history and traditions. This incorporation of a vivid, central figure against a softer background shows the power and strength of the warrior which creates a powerful visual narrative of protection.

3. Renee Slusher, Ethereal Motion

The artwork titled “Ethereal Motion” by Renee Slusher captures the beauty and grace of a dance through all its forms. The dynamic composition, abstract forms, and fluid lines showcase the contrasting colors. Light and shadows interplay with the colors and create dream-like images of the figures. This artwork seems to take inspiration from “Matisse’s” painting, “Dance II”, where figures dance similarly. Slusher’s artwork brings life and emotion through the portrayal of movement in an almost otherworldly manner. 

Queer Show 2024

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

June 11 - July 8, 2024

Reception: Thursday, June 20th, 5:30-7 PM in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

In honor of the Stonewall Uprising in June of 1969–heralded as a catalyst of the pro-LGBT movement in the United States–LGBTQIA2S+* Pride Month is widely celebrated in June, including here at CAL. Artist and writer Brandon Wint defines Queer as “escaping definition…like some sort of fluidity and limitlessness at once…like a freedom too strange to be conquered. Queer like the fearlessness to imagine what love can look like and pursue it.”

And that’s what to expect from this show highlighting local Queer artists and art: Art that escapes definition; art that’s strange and soft and strong and unconquerable; art courageous enough to imagine what the world could be, and bold enough to create and share it with us. 

 *Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Sprit

Members' Summer Exhibition 2024

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery in the Columbia Art League

June 11 - July 18, 2024

Reception: Friday, June 14, 6 - 8 pm

Congratulations to all of the ribbon winners:

1st: Cheryl Hardy, Heaven & Earth

2nd: Richard Hoeppner, Sunset Vessel

3rd: Diane Epstein, My Little World

Honorable Mentions

Besty Knabe Roe, Microbia Series 5

Walt McQuie, To Their Lonely Betters

Pam Gainor, Ghost Barn

Our Members’ Shows are exciting opportunities for CAL Members to display their art, and for our community to get to know our vibrant artist members. There is no theme, instead, this is an opportunity to show the community what you’ve been working on recently. Members’ shows are not juried, awards will be given out at the reception.

Diane Chappell

From Whim to Whimsy

On display in Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia

May 17 - July 12, 2024

Artist Statement

On a whim, I decided I’d cut a twig from a tree and use it to paint my watercolor. I had seen something like this, I was curious to try. With the first few marks of color on paper, I loved how spontaneous and effortless my lines looked and felt. How the twig, being flexible, feels like it’s dancing over the paper and I really want to put on some music! The results were so different from a brush. 

When I start a painting, I don’t have a plan or an idea, it’s just colors and movement. It’s more intuitive and reactive, open to imagination and letting go of control. I follow the paint through water, over and around other colors, letting colors blend as they will together on the paper. 

It’s then the whimsy begins to show. I see where I can add detail with a small brush to take it farther along. Or where I’d start with an ink pen and go further still. 

The painting is done when it’s done, and some paintings don’t make it. They lose momentum or a way forward. But for others, it seems to happen all of a sudden. It’s done and I can feel it. Sometimes it even reveals its title. And I love it when that happens!  

Artist Bio

I have no art degree or any advanced study, I grew up on coloring books and paint-by-number sets and a desire to make things. Early on, I worked in furniture restoration and stained glass which gave me an appreciation for precision and attention to detail. 

I took some MU art classes as an employee benefit while working a full-time job and a few workshops here and there, but this journey has been more of exploring and experimenting with the belief that I can figure it out.  

I spent quite a few years working in mosaics and this is where I really began to work with my own ideas, opening the door to my own creative whims. But a time came when I felt constrained by this medium, and looking for a new challenge, I wanted to try painting. 

I went back to basic pencil drawing and took a beginning watercolor class, which has all my attention now. It’s an exciting and entertaining journey.