AFCC’s Winter Art Exhibit Will Whet Public’s Appetite
Annual show kicks off with opening reception on January 12th and runs through February 23rd
January 7, 2019 (Cotuit, MA) – Patrons of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s (AFCC) 12th Annual Winter Art Exhibit at the Cotuit Center for the Arts are invited to feast their eyes on 46 separate pieces of original artwork centered around the theme “Bon Appetit!”
“This year’s theme was really fun and a lot of the art reflected the culture of Cape Cod,” said AFCC Executive Director Julie Wake.
A total of 40 Cape Cod artists had their work accepted into the show, which kicks off this Saturday, January 12th with an opening reception, and runs through Saturday, February 23rd.
As in previous years, artwork will be hung lower to engage the nearly 800 local elementary school students who will view the exhibit over its six-week run. During school tours, children will meet and learn from artists whose work appears in the show.
New this year, three short videos as part of Judy Laster and John Gamache’s documentary, “Made Here: Rebuilding America’s Apparel Manufacturing Industry,” will be shown during the exhibit. Funded partially through a grant from the AFCC, the shorts feature Devinto, an eco-clothing line based out of Hyannis; Fisherman’s Daughter, an eco-boutique in Chatham; and Tuff Kookooshka Studio, a Cataumet-based clothing company for children.
The Juror’s Choice Award went to Brewster’s Jackie deRuyter, whose piece “Comfort” features old photos of her family members preparing and serving food, printed on tea bags that had been steeped, dried, pressed, and sewn together. She added paint which brings a layer of depth to the work of art, evoking a feeling of nostalgia.
“This year’s theme was a challenge for me,” said deRuyter, who is represented by Miller White Fine Arts in South Dennis. “Because I work mainly abstractly, it posed a challenge about how I was going to impose such a specific theme to my art… In the end, it forced me out of my traditional way of working and I’m pleased with what I made partly because it’s so different from what I usually do.”
This year’s jurors – Jason Montigel, co-owner and co-chef of Clean Slate Eatery in West Dennis, and Joseph Carr of Dennis, owner of Joseph Carr Wines – have backgrounds which aligned perfectly with the culinary theme for the AFCC’s annual exhibit.
“It was a lot of fun. I really wish we could have included everyone’s piece of art,” said Montigel. “Somebody submitting their art is submitting a piece of their soul, which is kind of like cooking to me, where I’m trying to share my feelings and emotions on a plate of food.”
Carr had a similar reaction to his experience as a juror. “I really enjoyed it,” he said, noting that several pieces submitted to the show elicited discussion between him and Montigel. “A lot of the pieces we talked about inspired conversation, not just about the art, but the paintings themselves and what they were really all about… I think the show will really be enlightening to the kids and there are a lot of things in it they are going to talk about.”
The public can view this year’s Winter Art Exhibit at the Cotuit Center for the Arts, Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, as well as during its evening concerts, plays, and other events.
About the AFCC
The AFCC’s mission is to support, promote, and celebrate the arts and culture of Cape Cod. It fulfills its mission by funding grants, fellowships, and scholarships; by advocating for more awareness on the impact the Cape’s creative economy has on our region and beyond; and by building a strong arts community network through membership.