ARTS CONNECT - REIMAGINE 2023

November 17 December 15 OPENING RECEPTION

Friday, November 17, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

STUDENT & ARTIST RECEPTION

Friday, December 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

AUCTION CLOSING & RECEPTION

Friday, December 15, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

The Living Arts & Science Center, 362 North Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington, KY 40508

GRAHAM POHL, “Love the World!” (detail), Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, 14 x 21 Inspired by Paige’s drawing, 2nd Grade, Sandersville Elementary School

Our Fundraising Auction is ONLINE! BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS

1 To bid on any of the collaborative artworks, scan the QR code or type the web address below into your browser: https://app.galabid.com/reimagine2023 2 Sign up to bid, then have fun bidding!

You will only be asked for payment if you obtain the winning bid.

Bidding ends on December 15, 2023 at 7:30pm.

The proceeds from the online auction of the collaborative originals will be distributed between the participating schools to help provide arts-related resources for their students, the artists and Arts Connect.

Thank you for your generous support.

We are thrilled here at Arts Connect to again be producing the unique and fabulous REIMAGINE program!

This year there are 43 artworks all inspired by elementary school children from 11 different Fayette County Schools – Public, Private and Parochial - that have captivated the imaginations of 32 Kentucky artists who in turn have reinterpreted these works in their own style and medium. It is truly a wonder to see how a child’s drawing can hold so much thought and detail.

A scary dragon-like creature eating a lollipop; a random dog in the corner of the page; a brilliant sun with the face of a wolf; buildings that lean to rival the Tower in Pisa; a painstakingly drawn ship in a bottle and along those same lines, another of a fish in a lightbulb! Artists are charmed by this opportunity and the challenges of creating an artwork from a young person’s perspective and machinations. Many say how rewarding they find this and how it provides them with new artistic license.

It is the intention of this program, REIMAGINE, to encourage, recognize and nurture artistic talent in our youthful budding artists.

Similarly, it is our hope that you too will enjoy and support this program with your auction bid.

This is a fundraiser with proceeds from the auction being divided between the participating schools for classroom art supplies, the artists and Arts Connect who administers this effort.

Arts Connect wants to acknowledge and extend a huge thank you to Lori Barnett who was the founder of REIMAGINE and successfully produced it from 2014-2019. Also, thanks to the Living Arts and Science Center who agreed to host the REIMAGINE exhibition for the second year. Their help with installation and other on-site efforts has been generous and much appreciated.

Lastly, we want to thank all the teachers who are such an important part of this effort. They work to coordinate the initial stages of this multi-step process by rounding up student submissions. But the biggest bucket of gratitude goes to the many students who produced such awesome work, and to the amazing local artists who once again awed us with their interpretations – a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for participating.

Kate Savage, Founder/Executive Director, ARTS CONNECT PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS: Arlington Elementary, Athens Chilesburg Elementary, Cardinal Valley Elementary, Dixie Magnet School, James Lane Allen Elementary, Julius Marks Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Sandersville Elementary, Sayre School, Sts Peter and Paul Regional Catholic School, The Lexington School Enjoy REIMAGINE 2023

1

Original drawing by Lucille, Grade 3, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Max’s Marvelous Moon

BY: PAMELA MCDANIEL 28 x 23.5, Oil Value: $800

“I love this drawing. It made me think of my own dog and how he loves to just sit outside under the moon, just fully present, soaking it in. No howling, just peace.”

PAMELA MCDANIEL: After earning degrees in both fine art and education, I spent many years teaching high school art and photography. Now, I work at my home studio creating art. I believe we all have a deep spiritual connection to nature. It is my wish to bring that connection and awareness into my art, to tell a story with my paintings. I want viewers to feel the mystery and magic of ordinary things, and maybe in some small way, help nurture a consciousness of care, connection and commitment to nature and our environment. pamsart57@gmail.com / pammcdanielfineart.com / (859) 771-4816

Original drawing by Hannah, Grade 4, Sts Peter and Paul Regional Catholic School

Heaven in a Wild Flower

BY: CHARLES ELLIS 24 x 24, Oil on Wood Value: $1500

“I chose this artwork because of the expression on the face in the image, and the surrounding celestial bodies.”

CHARLES ELLIS is originally from Lexington, Kentucky. He mostly paints abstracts and representational works using oil paint on canvas. His motivation is beauty and the wonder of aesthetics. charles@cellis.net / cellis.net / (502) 533-2348

2

Original drawing by Keegan, Pre K, The Lexington School

Pretty is as Pretty Does

BY: CHRISTINE KUHN 16 x 20, Acrylic Value: $200

“It was such an innocent and charming depiction of flora, that is why I chose it!”

CHRISTINE KUHN is a professional muralist, painter and sculptor. She has over 30 murals in KY and surrounding states, 7 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and one in Vietnam. dontforgettoflourish@gmail.com / christinekuhnfineart.com / (859) 940-2841

Original drawing by Jonah, Grade 4, Sandersville Elementary

Battle for the Planet Arachnid

BY: JASON AKHTAREKHAVARI 24 x 24, Mixed Media Value: $325

“It was as if the student’s work was a preliminary sketch for a mixed media assemblage that I had not yet seen in my own mind. That being said, I never do preliminary drawings. Typically, I’m inspired by my materials and finding ways to meld them together into something interesting. It’s very refreshing to be provided with an ‘inspiration blueprint.’ In a sense, I’m just retelling a story with my own visual words.”

JASON AKHTAREKHAVARI is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BA in History. Jason has worked in the field of arts in health for the past 12 years. He currently manages the University of Kentucky HealthCare, Arts in HealthCare program. Jason also seeks to engage the local community and expand awareness of the health and wellness benefits of the arts. He spends much of his free time creating mixed media visual art, singing, songwriting and authoring poems for his long-standing poetry site, poems365.com. When not immersed in the arts, Jason likes to travel and explore the outdoors. jason.star@uky.edu / (859) 396-2639

3

Original drawing by Leighton, Grade 5, Rosa Parks Elementary

Resting Beetle

BY: SARAH DETRAZ 18 x 24, Colored Pencil, Ink, and Chalk Pastel Value: $150 “I love insects so the subject matter caught my attention initially. The student’s use of value and attention to detail was visually exciting. I wanted to see what I could do with their values and shapes.”

SARAH DETRAZ was born and raised in Lexington, KY. She is an art educator working at Lafayette High School and in her seventh year of teaching. She loves exploring texture and mark-making through a variety of subjects. sarah.detraz1@gmail.com / (859) 327-2740

Original drawing by Camille, Grade 4, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Foxes on Vacation

BY: CATHY VIGOR 18 x 22, Mixed Methods Print Value: $350 “I chose this student’s drawing because of the trees and the fox. The calm, simplicity of the lines and shapes were very appealing to me.”

CATHY VIGOR is a fiber artist and printmaker who specializes in felt making and mixed methods printmaking. She uses a variety of printmaking methods which may include collographs, monotypes, lino, dry point, and screen printing. She is a member of the Lexington Art League, Kentucky Crafted, Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, International Felt Makers, Surface Design Association, Fiber Guild of Lexington, Lexington Fashion Collaborative, and Bluegrass Printmakers. Her work has been exhibited in regional, national, and international exhibitions in both galleries and museums. She maintains a studio at Main and Walton Artist Studios. cathy.vigor@gmail.com / (859) 699-1159

4

Original drawing by Olga, Grade 3, Rosa Parks Elementary

Queen Olga in her Flitter-Flutter Garden

BY: SONJA BROOKS 20x 16 (framed), Mixed Media Collage Value: $300

“What caught my eye initially was the ‘fractured’ face with caterpillar eyes.

The drawing is such a puzzle to me –­ insects, a giant eye (I think), antennae and a nose (maybe) scattered across the page, with lines connecting them, sort of... Were the lines the paths of the butterfly and the bee? I’d like to know more about the drawing, but in the meantime, I imagined that smiling face as the Queen as she admires all the butterflies in her garden.”

SONJA BROOKS creates textured mixed media artwork that celebrates people and events, or draws attention to social, cultural and environmental themes. She combines paper, fabric, and traditional art media with a variety of new and found objects to create collages, mixed media constructions, soft dolls, jewelry and altered books. Originally from Washington, D.C., and now living in Lexington, Kentucky, Sonja has exhibited work in both regions. She is co-founder and Executive Director of the local nonprofit Sisohpromatem Art Foundation, Inc. sonjabrooksart@gmail.com / (301) 536-8589

Original drawing by Giovanni, Grade 3, Arlington Elementary

Decided

BY: CHERYLE WALTON 16 x 20, Mixed Media Value: $600 “It was there, big and bold. Yet it seems there was a choice to be made, happy or sad. I chose joyful, in the jester’s dance.”

CHERYLE WALTON is a Kentucky artist who calls Lexington home. As the child of an artist, she grew up surrounded by art and the practice of it. The technique of the style was started over 20 years by trying something new. The acrylic color image base, when dried, is covered with black watercolor paint. When that dries the painting is brought to life by the removal with a paintbrush and water. Black is left to create the details and textures. cheryle2857@gmail.com / (606) 560-3811

5

Original drawing by Tomoya, Grade 4, Rosa Parks Elementary

Tomoya’s Impossible Bottle

BY: MICHELLE ARMSTRONG 18 x 24, Paper Quilling Value: $800

“I was inspired by Tomoya’s drawing because it was filled with imagination and possibilities! I have always been fascinated by ships in a bottle, also known as impossible bottles. This drawing provided an opportunity for me to create my own version using the paper quilling method. The waves behind the ship reminded me of Hokusai’s famous “Great Wave” which has always been a favorite artwork of mine.”

MICHELLE NEWBY ARMSTRONG is the visual arts teacher at Cardinal Valley Elementary School. As an activist and artist, she combines her understanding of art and the power that it has to bring beauty and convey a message. She has collaborated with a variety of artists and organizations to celebrate art in the community. Through these efforts she has created many public works of art and has exhibited in several local galleries and hosted celebrations and exhibitions. One of the common themes in her artwork is a desire to protect the earth and specifically pollinators. patandmichelle@twc.com / artstronglex.com / (859) 608-7316

Original drawing by Aralyn, Grade 3, Arlington Elementary

Kintsugi

BY: PAT LAWRENCE 14 x 24, Watercolor and Gold Value: $250 “The image was a simple mushroom with decoration. It reminded me of mushrooms, Japanese umbrellas, and that led my mind to the Japanese art of Kintsugi.”

PAT LAWRENCE: I have been a working artist my whole life.

I see things in vivid colors as well as imaginary scenes and stories. I have some formal training, but mostly experimental.

This took me on quite a journey. patlartist@gmail.com / (859) 269-0607

6

Original drawing by Holland, Kindergarten, The Lexington School

Lost Kitty

BY: JIM EDMON 12 x 12, Mixed Media Value: $400 “I loved the personality that the artist gave this cat.”

JIM EDMON: Graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a BFA (1983). He is a graphic designer living in Lexington, KY since 1994.

Original drawing by Graham, Grade 2, Dixie Magnet School

Passing By

BY: JASON STURGILL 18 x 24, Watercolor and Ink Value: $400 “I am so fascinated by whales and the possibility that they can wander the universes just as they swim in our oceans.”

JASON STURGILL was born in Wise, Virginia. He is currently teaching high school classes in traditional and digital media. In addition, Mr. Sturgill is working as an adjunct professor at Midway College and a teacher with the UK Fine Arts Institute. Jason also works as a freelance artist.

He is currently a member of Kentucky Crafted and The KGAC. Jason is a juried exhibitor at St. James Art Fair, Waveland, Summer Fair, and the Kentucky Market at Woodland. He resides in Lexington, KY with his fellow educator wife, Alyssa. xenosketch@gmail.com / sites.google.com/view/xenosketchartofjasonsturgill/home?authuser=0 / (859) 707-6093

7

Original drawing by Arlet, Grade 4, Cardinal Valley Elementary

Still Life of Flowers

BY: LIZ SWANSON 1 2 x 9, Mixed Media: Acrylic, Colored Pencil, and Collage Value: $250

“I was immediately drawn to this artist’s bold, confident use of the horizon line and the inventive spatial strategy at work in this original drawing. There’s a dynamic sense of rhythm and a wonderful play of positive and negative space that focuses the eye on the elegant forms of the vase. I love this drawing.”

LIZ SWANSON is an Associate Professor of Architecture who has been teaching at the University of Kentucky since 2001. Her projects span a variety of scales and media, and represent a lifelong love of drawing, painting, collage and mixed media in 2-D and 3-D. Her work centers on drawing as a physical and psychological process of construction that reveals and directs the social, cultural, political and spiritual aspects of the human experience. She is fascinated by the many ways that line, color, and materials influence the reading of form and space. liz@lizswanson.com / lizswanson.com / (504) 722-7984

Original drawing by Lucy Anna, Grade 4, Rosa Parks Elementary

Fantastical Forest

BY: CRIMSON DUVALL 36 x 48, Acrylic, Paper, Plastic, Canvas Value: $800

“This drawing had so much inspiring imagery. I was drawn in by the fantastical landscape with the amazing creatures and all of the tiny details.”

CRIMSON DUVALL is a Kentucky-based artist who has been working as a professional artist since 2004. She makes acrylic paintings, coil-built sculptures and one-of-a-kind pottery that embodies her unique style. She is inspired by color, nature, stories and the human experience. crimsonduvall@hotmail.com / crimsonduvall.com / (859) 979-1764

8

Original drawing by Theo, Kindergarten, Julius Marks Elementary

Monsters Have Friends

BY: PAT GERHARD 16 x 36, Paint and Fabric Value: $350

“The fun monsters! It seemed like they were friends and they had a home!”

PAT GERHARD: I am an artist, who for decades, has worked in various mediums. I have also owned a small business for decades. patgerhard@gmail.com / (859) 533-3802

Original drawing (above) by Theo, Kindergarten, Julius Marks Elementary

Bot & Beast

BY: BRYCE OQUAYE 18 x 24, Mixed Media Value: $600 “This drawing reminded me of my childhood drawings of robots and weird creatures. I say “childhood” but... I’m now professionally drawing robots and weird creatures! In the end, holding on to your imagination for as long as you can only serves you in the future! Have fun and enjoy yourself.”

BRYCE OQUAYE is an illustrator and animator. His illustrations and sequential style have placed him within a wide range of projects from comics and animation to cover art and apparel design. He’s worked on creator-owned books like Warden’s Watch, Kaiju Effect, and most recently Hard Justice. Bryce has also worked with companies like Z2 Comics on Vince Staple’s Limbo Beach, Netflix/TUDUM providing visuals for The Witcher, Thrillist, and Threadheads.

Bryce often performs as a live artist, traveling and creating street art and illustrations across many different events and venues both individually and with the Six Bomb Boards Collective. mrmad100s@gmail.com / madhundreds.com / (859) 687-4407

9

Original drawing by Henry, Pre K, The Lexington School

Untitled

BY: PATTI EDMON 16 x 12 x 1.5, Acrylic Value: $275 “I loved the loose shapes and playful approach in this artwork.”

PATTI EDMON is an intuitive abstract painter living and working in downtown Lexington, KY. pattiedmon1@mac.com / (859) 229-5651

Original drawing by Alice, Grade 3, Sts Peter and Paul Regional Catholic School

Indefinite She Water

BY: GEORGIA HENKEL 33 x 23, Oil on Vellum, Coal Map Value: $850

“I love the idea of adding a chapter to the story of a joyful and fearless leap.”

GEORGIA HENKEL has been painting and creating since she was a wee tot. Coming from a very loud family, she chose to exile herself in the basement, attic, under a bush or high up in a tree... anywhere to escape chaos. Art has been a lifelong mission to accomplish a fullness that pulls her life together in a satisfying way.

Georgia has a great passion for artwork created by children and was an art instructor in Fayette County for 46 years. georgia.henkel@gmail.com / georgiahenkel.com (859) 576-4871

10

Original drawing by Claire, Grade 5, Sayre School

A Fishy Idea

BY: RACHEL SAVANE 2 x 1.2 x 0.1, Sterling Silver Value: $325 “I saw the drawing and I envisioned a pendant, even integrating the bale for the leather necklace to pass through, as already included in the student’s design.

As light bulbs are often representative of a new idea, I love this artist’s idea and clever depiction of a fish in its environment existing within a light bulb.

That is imaginative.”

RACHEL SAVANE: I started Savane Silver in 1996, exhibiting at art fairs. After many rounds of art fairs, I decided to open my shop which integrates my studio with my gallery showcasing my own artwork. Silver and gemstones make me so happy and when I make wearable pieces utilizing them in new and different ways, it is pure joy! I have a habit of making pieces in different designs every time. Always a challenge, so it doesn’t get too easy.

Original drawing by Ellie, Grade 1, The Lexington School

Surprise! Peek A Boo!

BY: DEBORAH WESTERFIELD 12 x 16, Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas Value: $250

“I love stuffed teddy bears! They are so adorable! The bear is playing peek a boo! Surprise!”

DEBORAH WESTERFIELD: The pleasures of experiencing art are exceeded only by the pleasures of creating art. If you enjoy the work, that will show up in the painting. For many years I’ve explored many forms of artistic expression and varied media from paper making, clay, to acrylic mixed media and oil paintings on canvas. Nothing satisfies me more than expressing myself through a combination of materials. debwesterfield9@gmail.com / dbwstudio.net / (859) 552-5645

11

Original drawing by Conner, Grade 5, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Dino Daze

BY: MARTY HENTON 18 x 22.5, Encaustic Medium with Mixed Media Papers on Watercolor Paper Value: $450 “I love how children create and draw with their fresh visions of the world and their subject matter. The drawing I chose captures the young person’s creative vision in the form of a mechanical dinosaur. The attention to detail within the drawing and the proportions are impressive. I was drawn to this piece and wanted to play with the background but hold onto the dinosaur details.”

MARTY HENTON is an artist-educator recently retired from UK Art Ed and community advocate for the arts. I’m now finding my way back to my studio on a more regular basis to explore my own creativity in a variety of media. mkhenton@gmail.com / (859) 489-6653

Original drawing by Oliver, Grade 2, Julius Marks Elementary

I Love This Place

BY: PAT GERHARD 24 x 36, Paint and Fabric Value: $600

“The subject, a turtle carrying all of the plants on his back, seemed like a lot of fun! An environmental! Love of the earth!!”

PAT GERHARD: I am an artist, who for decades has worked in various mediums. I have also owned a small business for decades. patgerhard@gmail.com / (859) 533-3802

12

Original drawing by Ky’Mani, Grade 1, Julius Marks Elementary

Pearl Moon

BY: CHERYLE WALTON 16 x 20, Mixed Media Value: $600 “I saw the image as being a magical place.

The owl was clearly visible surrounded by an imagination. I chose to make the owl the main theme in the work. It is big and bold as it flies through the door into a fantasy world of calm flowing waters, under a shining pearl moon.”

CHERYLE WALTON is a Kentucky artist who calls Lexington home. As the child of an artist, she grew up surrounded by art and the practice of it. The technique of the style was started over 20 years by trying something new. The acrylic color image base, when dried, is covered with black watercolor paint. When that dries the painting is brought to life by the removal with a paintbrush and water. Black is left to create the details and textures. cheryle2857@gmail.com / (606) 560-3811

Original drawing by Kendall, Grade 5, Sandersville Elementary

Lotus Among Us

BY: JAMES SHAMBHU 16x 16, Oil, Shellac, Gold Leaf on Concrete Board Value: $500 “The story of the lotus is a story of growth, rebirth and beauty in the face of the ugliness and challenges of the world. The original drawing was so well done I almost felt bad about “re-imagining it” but the lotus wanted me to look into myself and show some growth. It pushed me to be the lotus.”

JAMES SHAMBHU is a mixed media artist using line, color, photography, industrial materials, paint, shellac, computers, and whatever else is needed to convey a sense of beauty, harmony and sometimes discord in the world. art@jamesshambhu.com / jamesshambhu.com / (859) 333-3888

13

Original drawing by Maggie, Grade 7, Sayre School

Visitor

BY: CRIMSON DUVALL 36 x 48, Acrylic, Paper, Plastic, Canvas Value: $800 “All of the faces caught my attention with their expressions and the way each had their own personality. I imagined a crowd of people gathered and seeing a “visitor” from outer space - some surprised, some scared, and some indifferent.”

CRIMSON DUVALL is a Kentucky-based artist who has been working as a professional artist since 2004. She makes acrylic paintings, coil-built sculptures and one-of-a-kind pottery that embodies her unique style. She is inspired by color, nature, stories and the human experience. crimsonduvall@hotmail.com / crimsonduvall.com / (859) 979-1764

Original drawing by Paige, Grade 4, Rosa Parks Elementary

Dream Terrarium

BY: DEBORAH SLONE 9 x 12, Watercolor on Paper Value: $125 “I love celestial imagery and was immediately drawn to the imaginative world inside the corked bottle.”

DEBORAH SLONE is a watercolor and graphite artist living in Lexington, Kentucky. She grew up in the Appalachian Mountains where she developed an appreciation for the beauty and delicate balance of the natural world.

Deborah’s botanical watercolor compositions offer an opportunity to reflect intimately on the natural world and to consider the shared stewardship of both our traditions and the environment. deborahsloneart@gmail.com / etsy.com/shop/deborahsloneart / (606) 454-1311

14

Original drawing by Sadie, Grade 3, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Waiting for the Others

BY: LIZ SWANSON 1 2 x 9, Mixed Media: Acrylic, Colored Pencil, and Collage Value: $250 “I was immediately drawn by the strong division between earth and sky, and the arch that encompasses this little family of deer. The scene evokes a wonderful sense of atmosphere and I began to wonder where they might be headed.”

LIZ SWANSON is an Associate Professor of Architecture who has been teaching at the University of Kentucky since 2001. Her projects span a variety of scales and media, and represent a lifelong love of drawing, painting, collage and mixed media in 2-D and 3-D. Her work centers on drawing as a physical and psychological process of construction that reveals and directs the social, cultural, political and spiritual aspects of the human experience. She is fascinated by the many ways that line, color, and materials influence the reading of form and space. liz@lizswanson.com / lizswanson.com / (504) 722-7984

Original drawing by Channing, Grade 5, Sayre School

Harmony with Nature

BY: JASON STURGILL 18 x 24, Watercolor and Ink Value: $400

“I loved the serenity about the pose. The young girl’s harmonious exploration of music and calm inspired the creation of the piece.”

JASON STURGILL was born in Wise, Virginia. He is currently teaching high school classes in traditional and digital media. In addition, Mr. Sturgill is working as an adjunct professor at Midway College and teaching with the UK Fine Arts Institute. Jason also works as a freelance artist. He is currently a member of Kentucky Crafted and The KGAC. Jason is a juried exhibitor at St. James Art Fair, Waveland, Summer Fair, and the Kentucky Market at Woodland. He resides in Lexington, KY with his fellow educator wife, Alyssa. xenosketch@gmail.com / sites.google.com/view/xenosketchartofjasonsturgill/home?authuser=0 / (859) 707-6093

15

Original drawing by Carrick, Pre K, The Lexington School

At Home in the City

BY: DEBRA BOOKER 20 x 20, Mixed Media Collage Value: $395

“I love the shapes of the buildings and windows and I get the feeling the buildings are all close friends!

I thought it would lend itself nicely to collage and lots of color and texture.”

DEBRA BOOKER is an artist in Lexington, KY who works mostly in mixed media collage and photography. She has been creating and showing her work since 1986. She loves incorporating vintage paper, magazines, encyclopedias etc., and feels it imbues a deeper sense of history and texture to her work. debrabooker@yahoo.com / debrabookerartwork.com / (859) 494-1076

Original drawing by Uriel, Grade 2, James Lane Allen Elementary

When the Wind Walked Inside

BY: LENNON MICHALSKI 20 x 20, Water Based Pigment on Canvas Value: $800

“This drawing has a concept and composition related to the series that I am currently exploring. Natural disasters in Kentucky.”

LENNON MICHALSKI, an independent artist, earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Digital Media from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Michalski’s two-dimensional and digital works have been exhibited in Baltimore, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Washington, D.C. Collections of Michalski’s works can be seen at the University of Kentucky HealthCare, the University of Kentucky, Clark Regional Medical Center, Saint Joseph Health-Saint Joseph East, Eastern Kentucky University, and Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center. Michalski has been appointed as a Board Member for the Kentucky Arts Council and Arts Connect. lennonmichalski@gmail.com / lennonmichalski.com / (859) 559-5271

16

Original drawing by Samuel, Grade 4, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Tree Goddess

BY: GAYLE CERLAN 15 x 5 x 5, Clay Value: $900

“I love the tree image and my artwork often uses the tree form.”

GAYLE CERLAN has been an established artist and art instructor for more than 30 years. She has an MFA, taught in elementary, high school and University. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and has been awarded grants and scholarships. cerlan@aol.com / gaylecerlan.com / (859) 361-1801

Original drawing by Burton, Montessori, The Lexington School

Blackbird

BY: MIKI WRIGHT 24 x 24, Mixed Media on Cradled Wood Panel Value: $400 “I liked the composition and the repeating lines.”

MIKI WRIGHT: I am an artist and art-lover who started life as a painter and maker of assemblages. I make a living as a graphic designer. I have lived in Lexington for about 50 years, but grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. This has been a fun project to work on! receipts@scrambledegg.com / (859) 338-2432

17

Original drawing by Paige, Grade 2, Sandersville Elementary

Love the World!

BY: GRAHAM POHL 14 x 21, Ink, Watercolor, Gouache Value: $850 “Birds on the ground and in the sky, horizontal and vertical lines, the possibility of electrical lines buzzing, the abstraction of tree canopies, varied vignettes including homes with platonic geometries. Joyfulness.”

GRAHAM POHL: I’m a recovering architect focusing on painting, primarily in oils. I’m drawn to representational work, especially when light and shadows are in sharp contrast. I care about the craft of each piece and strive for a beautiful completeness independent of the content. grahampohl@gmail.com / (859) 576-6305

Original drawing by Nora, Grade 7, Sayre School

New Kicks

BY: WYLIE CAUDILL 24 x 30, Acrylic Value: $500 “Repeating patterns are a signature of my work. I felt that this student’s work allowed me to embrace my own style within their concept.”

WYLIE CAUDILL is a Lexington-based mural artist who specializes in bright, bold colors and repeating patterns.

He was recently named the official artist for the 150th Kentucky Derby. info@wyliecaudill.com / wyliecaudill.com / (859) 954-1488

18

Original drawing by Kevin, Kindergarten, Julius Marks Elementary

The Secret Life of Kevin’s Cat

BY: PAMELA MCDANIEL 24 x 29, Oil Value: $850 “This young artist inspired me with their drawing of a cat with wide, inquisitive eyes. It prompted me to try to imagine the world through a cat’s eyes. Everything must appear much differently to them than as it does to us, a life that is their secret from us.”

PAMELA MCDANIEL is a retired art and photography teacher who now makes art full time, in her Lexington studio. It is my wish to bring an awareness of nature into my art, to tell a story with my paintings.

I want viewers to feel the mystery and magic of ordinary things that surround us so that I might, in some small way, help nurture a consciousness of care, connection and commitment to nature and our environment. pamsart57@gmail.com / pammcdanielfineart.com / (859) 771-4816

Original drawing by Jeik, Grade 3, James Lane Allen Elementary

Pop Shenron

BY: BRYCE OQUAYE 18 x 24, Mixed Media Value: $600 “This awesome kid drew a dragon with a popsicle.... A DRAGON WITH A POPSICLE. It’s like he looked into 8-year-old Bryce’s mind.”

BRYCE OQUAYE is an illustrator and animator.

His illustrations and sequential style have placed him within a wide range of projects from comics and animation to cover art and apparel design. He’s worked on creator-owned books like Warden’s Watch, Kaiju Effect, and most recently Hard Justice. Bryce has also worked with companies like Z2 Comics on Vince Staple’s Limbo Beach, Netflix/TUDUM providing visuals for The Witcher, Thrillist, and Threadheads.

Bryce often performs as a live artist, traveling and creating street art and illustrations across many different events and venues both individually and with the Six Bomb Boards Collective. mrmad100s@gmail.com / madhundreds.com / (859) 687-4407

19

Original drawing by Alissa, Grade 3, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Beautiful Blockage

BY: CHRISTINE KUHN 34 x 30, Mixed Media Value: $750

“The image reminded me of the universal frustration of people trying to make something. It looked like the student had started a drawing, became frustrated with it, drew a big ‘x’ over it, and then tried to beautify the x-ed out work.”

CHRISTINE KUHN is a professional muralist, painter and sculptor. She has over 30 murals in KY and surrounding states, 7 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and one in Vietnam. dontforgettoflourish@gmail.com / christinekuhnfineart.com / (859) 940-2841

Original drawing by Hope, Grade 4, Julius Marks Elementary

A Quiet Spot

BY: DEBORAH SLONE 9 x 12, Watercolor on Paper Value: $125 “I loved the sinewy tree and wondered why the student was drawn to it. It reminds me of my own childhood drawings of trees and I wanted to revisit the subject.”

DEBORAH SLONE is a watercolor and graphite artist living in Lexington, Kentucky. She grew up in the Appalachian Mountains where she developed an appreciation for the beauty and delicate balance of the natural world.

Deborah’s botanical watercolor compositions offer an opportunity to reflect intimately on the natural world and to consider the shared stewardship of both our traditions and the environment. deborahsloneart@gmail.com / etsy.com/shop/deborahsloneart (606) 454-1311

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Original drawing by Avery, Grade 4, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Guess Who

BY: DEBORAH WESTERFIELD 12 x 16, Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas Value: $250 “The drawing reminds me of Alice in Wonderland! Fabulous whimsical adventure!”

DEBORAH WESTERFIELD: The pleasures of experiencing art are exceeded only by the pleasures of creating art. If you enjoy the work, that will show up in the painting. For many years I’ve explored many forms of artistic expression and varied media from paper making, clay, to acrylic mixed media and oil paintings on canvas. Nothing satisfies me more than expressing myself through a combination of materials. debwesterfield9@gmail.com / dbwstudio.net / (859) 552-5645

Original drawing by Harrison, Grade 3, Sts Peter and Paul Regional Catholic School

Lurking Leviathans

BY: NOAH POIRIER 12 x 16, Mixed Media on Wood Value: $300 “I love the sense of scale shown in the tiny sail boat compared to the monstrous sea creatures. I’ve always found swimming in the open ocean pretty nerve-wracking and this precisely captures that childhood fear of something big and scary lurking in the water. Plus, life in the deep sea is so unbelievably bizarre and alien looking – it’s the sort of subject matter that really excites me.”

NOAH POIRIER is a Canadian born illustrator and painter currently located in Caraquet, New Brunswick. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, GA) in 2019 with a BFA in illustration. As well as his profession in illustration and fine art, he also works as a graphic designer and a character/concept artist. When working with traditional materials, his preferred way of painting is mixed media on wood. He has developed a method that is very durable, while allowing for a great deal of flexibility and experimentation. npoirier797@gmail.com / noahpoirier.com / (859) 229-4653Licatat aut harit lam resequi dolupicium aute que most, officiantin pratendis am et peribus qui cum nimosape vendani stiatecus, qui offic tem quaestem quia con ne nonessim venit fugitiu

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Original drawing by Sunnie, Grade 2, Julius Marks Elementary

Winter Morning over Snowy Pines

BY: LIZ SWANSON 1 2 x 9, Mixed Media: Acrylic, Colored Pencil, and Collage Value: $250 “I found this piece to be incredibly intriguing because it evokes two radically different feelings. On the one hand, it is quietly calm and restrained; while on the other hand it is confidently joyous and exuberant. I also adore the attention to detail and light in those little tree shadows. And the shape of the trees! All in all, it just exudes wonderful energy.”

LIZ SWANSON is an Associate Professor of Architecture who has been teaching at the University of Kentucky since 2001. Her projects span a variety of scales and media, and represent a lifelong love of drawing, painting, collage and mixed media in 2-D and 3-D. Her work centers on drawing as a physical and psychological process of construction that reveals and directs the social, cultural, political and spiritual aspects of the human experience. She is fascinated by the many ways that line, color, and materials influence the reading of form and space. liz@lizswanson.com / lizswanson.com / (504) 722-7984

Original drawing by Mary Grace, Grade 1, The Lexington School

Still Life with Sprinkles

BY: BLAKE EAMES 12 x 12, Acrylic on Canvas Value: $985

“I loved the attention to detail the artist paid to this joyful still life. The paintings within a painting were especially good....and it’s ice cream.

Who doesn’t like ice cream?”

BLAKE SNYDER EAMES is a professional artist who has exhibited her work in multiple venues for more than 25 years. Her paintings, murals and furniture pieces can be found in homes, businesses and collections across the country and beyond. Her style is pop art inspired resulting in vibrant geometric patterns that inspire the senses and soothe the mind’s desire for structure.

Eames owns and operates Blake Eames Design, is a lifelong Lexingtonian and lives downtown with her family and an Australian shepherd named Jude. blake@blakeeamesdesign.com / www.blakeeamesdesign.com (859) 421-4116

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Original drawing by Cohen, Grade 4, Athens Chilesburg Elementary

Overstory/Undermine

BY: ARWEN DONAHUE 16 x 11 (unframed), 22 x1 7 (framed), Ink and Watercolor on Paper Value: $600 “The student’s artwork tells a complex, scary, and mysterious story. I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to. The composition is both symmetrical and asymmetrical, which intrigues me. I feel I’m getting a glimpse into a place where two worlds are colliding.”

ARWEN DONAHUE is the author of the graphic memoir Landings: A Crooked Creek Farm Year (Hub City Press, 2022). Her comics and graphic stories have been featured in The Field Guide to Graphic Literature, LitHub, The Nib, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. arwendonahue@gmail.com / arwendonahue.com / (859) 289-2562

We inspire people of all ages to be creative by providing quality second-hand art and craft supplies at affordable prices.

Come shop, take a class, or join us for a craft night!

Where creativity flourishes!

@lexcreativereuse Lexcreativereuse 23

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REIMAGINE 2023

ARTIST INDEX AKHTAREKHAVARI, Jason..................................................................................... p3 ARMSTRONG, Michelle......................................................................................... p6 BOOKER, Debra.................................................................................................... p16 BROOKS, Sonja.................................................................................................... p5 CAUDILL, Wylie.................................................................................................... p18 CERLAN, Gail....................................................................................................... p17 DETRAZ, Sarah..................................................................................................... p4 DONAHUE, Arwen................................................................................................ p23 DUVALL, Crimson................................................................................................. p8, p14 EAMES, Blake....................................................................................................... p22 EDMON, Jim........................................................................................................ p7 EDMON, Patti....................................................................................................... p10 ELLIS, Charles...................................................................................................... p2 GERHARD, Pat..................................................................................................... p9, p12 HENKEL, Georgia.................................................................................................. p10 HENTON, Marty.................................................................................................... p12 KUHN, Christine................................................................................................... p3, p20 LAWRENCE, Pat................................................................................................... p6 MCDANIEL, Pamela............................................................................................... p2, p19 MICHALSKI, Lennon.............................................................................................. p16 OQUAYE, Bryce.................................................................................................... p9, p19 POHL, Graham...................................................................................................... p18 POIRIER, Noah..................................................................................................... p21 SAVANE, Rachel................................................................................................... p11 SHAMBHU, James................................................................................................ p13 SLONE, Deborah................................................................................................... p14, p20 STURGILL, Jason.................................................................................................. p7, p15 SWANSON, Liz...................................................................................................... p8, p15, p22 VIGOR, Cathy....................................................................................................... p4 WALTON, Cheryle................................................................................................. p5, p13 WESTERFIELD, Deborah........................................................................................ p11, p21 WRIGHT, Miki....................................................................................................... p17 25

Many Thanks to Our SPONSORS KENTUCKY

o OUNCIl

David and Marcie Kloiber Jeff and Lori Barnett George and Anne Allen

Sallye and Jim Staley Rogie and Sharon Payne

ARTS CONNECT is an independent nonprofit that works hard to raise the awareness and appreciation of all the arts in the Lexington community by producing exceptional events like our hugely popular PAINT THE TOWN and ARTS AWARDS LUNCHEON, providing unique programs such as REIMAGINE, offering resources with our monthly OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS bulletin and our ARTISTS’ DIRECTORY, as well as delivering art enrichment services such as our WORKSHOPS, The MOBILE GALLERY PROGRAM and now ART WALKS, giving voice through our lobbying and advocacy efforts along with our bi-weekly ART THROB PODCAST and NPR/WEKU series that bring a spotlight to the efforts of arts individuals in our community,as well as encouraging all creative endeavors and other forms of self-expression.

Fiscal Year 23-24 Arts Connect received $3,048 funding from the Kentucky Arts Council. All other support comes from donations, sponsorships, and registrations, as well as our programs and event ticket sales.

Thank you for your support of our efforts.

ArtsConnect, PO Box 1691, Lexington, KY 40588-1691 / (859) 321-1341 / artsconnectlex.org​