Joan Spohrer will be the featured artist at Heartland Artists Gallery through February 23rd. The Open House reception to meet Joan and other member artists will be Sunday, February 10 from 1 – 4.
She has been a graphic artist, editor and photographer for 40 years and began painting watercolors in 2002. Joan is involved with many other facets of art including being Exhibit Chair, past president, board member and newsletter publisher for St. Joe Valley Watercolor Society, active committee member of Leeper Park Art Fair, active Board Member of Northern Indiana Artists, member Elkhart Art League and Area Artists Association, Lebeznik Center (Michigan City).
Her work is displayed in several Mishawaka Corporate Galleries, and she has won many awards in area art shows including Awards and Purchase Awards in Heartland Artists’ Juried Exhibits.
Joan first turned to watercolors after being so involved in other art endeavors, she shared, “One day I read about a local artists’ workshop, decided to attend it, and put a brush and paint to paper for the first time. Fifteen years later, I still paint with this group of talented artists, who became my mentors, friends, and peers.”
When asked, why do you paint, she answered, “For me, painting expresses the world in ways photography cannot. Whether creating a landscape, figure, or abstract, an artist combines skill with tangibles –light, value, color, subject matter — as well as the intangibles of her own experience, point of view, memory and emotion, rendering a unique interpretation of each image, layering her own subtle purpose with each stroke. I paint to interpret a memory in a re-imagined way.”
“I have been most satisfied to learn that an artist is, simply, one who creates.” When you come to visit the Gallery and view her work, you will notice that her use of fluid brush strokes together with either bright or subdued colors are more about creating the mood or emotion of that day than they are about reproducing the scene.
In addition to Spohrer’s exhibit, there will be the work of many local Heartland Artists’ members displayed. There are also many posters informing of future classes and workshops for adults and children alike…definitely something for everyone!
The Gallery’s mission is to support area artists, and to bring and to teach the arts to our community. Our not-for-profit Gallery gives area artists a venue to show and sell their art. Our art classes fulfill our mission for educating and they also assist in our financial means to maintain the Gallery. Visit www.heartlandartgallery.com and Facebook, Instagram or call 574.936.9515 for more information. The Gallery is located at 101 N. Michigan St., in downtown Plymouth. Gallery hours are Tues. – Sat. 10-4.
