The Art Center of the Bluegrass will be showcasing three exciting exhibitions this spring including painter and naturalist Sabra Crockett, the thought-provoking artworks of Centre College studio art students, and a show highlighting the many talents of the Art Center’s artist-in-residence program.

Exhibit Dates:

Sabra Crockett: Birdwatching (March 23 – April 29)

Students of Centre College (April 5 – April 29)

Artist-in-Residence Exhibition (April 5 – April 29)

Louisville’s Sabra Crockett will be featured in the Art Center’s Grand Hall this March 23rd through April 29th in her exhibition, Sabra Crockett: Birdwatching, presented by sponsor Couzens Dental. Inspired by the photographs of fellow birdwatcher and colleague Kevin Burt, as source material, Crockett will present her exquisitely rendered depictions of Kentucky songbirds and avifauna that are overlaid upon finely painted Victorian wallpaper backgrounds.  Crockett purposefully designs her backgrounds to complement the mood of each bird she depicts with color, texture, and pattern, and the addition of seductive metal leaf. Crockett has been recognized throughout the state for the stunning way she showcases wildlife of Kentucky. On Friday, March 25th she will present an in-person Gallery Talk from 5:00-5:45 p.m. to be followed with a reception held in her honor until 7:00 p.m. at the Art Center. 

In the Upstairs Gallery, the Art Center will feature works created by the visual arts students at Centre College this April 5th through the 29th.  Coordinated with the help of Centre’s Sheldon Tapley, Stodghill Professor of Art and Chair of Art History and Studio Art Programs, this exhibition will showcase a variety of works from drawings to paintings, ceramics to glass, as well as sculptural works showing the diverse approaches executed Centre College studio art majors.  Learn more about the work at their artist talk and reception on Wednesday, April 20th from 5-6pm.

In the second-floor historic hallway gallery, the Art Center’s artists-in-residence will also present their work from April 5th – April 29th.  Artists featured in this exhibition will include David Farmer, Katherine Updegraff-White, Terrell Atwood, and Yolantha Harrison-Pace. Each artist will display several current works. 

“One of the highlights to being an artist-in-residence is the opportunity for a wider world of exposure that I otherwise never would have,” said Yolantha Harrison-Pace. “It is also phenomenal to have a space that is uniquely designated to art and only art. Amazingly, the residency has also caused me to be more disciplined, a character trait that every artist struggles with.”

David Farmer shared “to be an artist-in-residence of The Art Center of the Bluegrass is to be a part of the professional art community of the Bluegrass area. The welcoming professional staff combined with the expansive unique facility has become a landmark jewel of Danville.”

“The Art Center has for years been a most important aspect of my painting career,” said Farmer. “It is the perfect venue for exhibitions and the varied educational programs it continually offers.  There will always be artists within every community but too often scant opportunity or encouragement for such talent and impulses to flourish.”

“The Art Center of the Bluegrass has in large measure encouraged and provided a wonderful opportunity for the artistic community,” Farmer noted. 

An artist-in-residence reception will be held on Wednesday, April 20th from 5-6pm and will be in conjunction with the artist talk and reception for the Students of Centre College in the Upstairs Gallery.

Additionally, the Art Center’s spring programming reflects the celebration of nature highlighted in Sabra Crockett’s exhibit. On April 22nd, attend an evening of poetry, art, and community at the first Poetry Connected event hosted by the Art Center and taking place in the new Art Lot, weather permitting. The theme for the event is “inspired by nature,” and poets are asked to respond to the Art Center’s exhibit of contemporary nature art by Louisville artist Sabra Crockett. The long tradition of composing poems that respond to visual art and sculpture is called ekphrastic poetry. In addition, this event will be taking place on Kentucky Writer’s Day and Earth Day!

The event is to be for anyone who writes poetry, seasoned poets, and first-timers…or something in between. Rest assured for all the “secret poets,” let this be a soft place for your poetry to land. The event is FREE to the public and open to poets in high school and older. Performing poets may share up to two poems, inspired by the artist’s statement and/or pieces from the show. A virtual gallery will be available on the Art Center website beginning March 23rd. Pre-registration is required for performing poets and can be done by emailing the Art Center’s Program Director, Leigh Jefferson, at leigh@artcenterky.org.

Other classes that focus on nature and spring-loving themes include Starry Night Studio with finches and morning glories, a landscape watercolor class, a nature journaling workshop with Laura Poulette, Learn with Loritini featuring a flower bouquet, Art Book Club discussing World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and several kids’ classes featuring birds, flowers and butterflies. 

For more information regarding all the programming offered at the Art Center of the Bluegrass please visit our website at www.artcenterky.org or call 859-236-4054.