Sarah Lutz ’85 greets Dom Failla at the opening of “Tales from the Garden and other Mythologies” at Mercy Gallery in April. Photos: Patricia Cousins
Sarah Lutz ’85 Exhibits New Body of Work “T
ALES from the Garden … and Other Mythologies,” an exhibition of paintings by Sarah Lutz ’85 was installed in the Sue and Eugene Mercy Jr. Gallery from late April through Reunion Weekend, June 12–14.
“Gardens are lush, fertile, colorful and vibrant places. At times they are tightly groomed and manicured; at others, overgrown and chaotic. Teaming with life, gardens offer a promise of something delightful, or scary, but always unexpected.”
Created for the Loomis Chaffee Centennial Alumni Artists Series, this new body of work from Sarah featured the vibrant colors, varied textures, and unconventional techniques that are the hallmarks of her style. According to Sarah, the abstract collection of paintings “reference many elements of the natural world,” hence the title.
Sarah spent a week-long residency in the Richmond Art Center as a Visiting Artist during the opening week of her exhibition. Visiting Artists work alongside Loomis art students in a mentoring and experiential learning role.
Her artist’s statement described the inspiration for the exhibition:
“I think it’s helpful for students to see the way an artist works,” Sarah says. “Being able to deconstruct and demystify the process is especially useful with abstract work.”
On the occasion of her 30th Reunion, a reception was held in Mercy Gallery during Reunion Weekend, and two of her longtime friends, former faculty members Dominic Failla and Walter Rabetz, read from their collaboration of poetry and photography, A Fistful of Stars. Sarah, a former Loomis Chaffee Trustee, credits the relationships she developed as a student at Loomis — especially with former art teachers Walter and Marilyn Rabetz — with inspiring her artistic endeavors through the years. She remains connected to the Island community, her classmates, her former instructors, and the Trustees with whom she served. www.loomischaffee.org | 7