STAFF REPORTS
BATAVIA, N.Y. — The “#ArtToo: A Photo Show” at the Genesee County Park Interpretive Nature Center in East Bethany continues for three more weeks until August 4, 2018, and features photographic work by Genesee Community College students. Historically, the term ‘art’ has been used to describe paintings and sculptures, the #ArtToo show title reminds viewers that digital art and photography are critical and highly expressive forms of fine art as well. The artist statement, by GCC student Kasey Edgerton describes the exhibit and includes a quote by a noted nationally acclaimed gallery director.
“Art conveys the zeitgeist of a generation. It expresses our greatest hopes and aspirations, and reflects our deepest fears and uncertainties. It is impossible to disentangle art from its socio-political moment, or the psychological maelstrom surrounding it.”
A statement by former Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C., Elizabeth Broun helped inspire the theme of this show:
“Art is not always about pretty things. It’s about who we are, what happened to us, and how our lives are affected.
“Art is a product of what shapes us; our highest highs and lowest lows, individually, and as a people. Perhaps most strongly in times of adversity, art lifts us up, gives voice to the disenfranchised, and galvanizes the oppressed. Now in this age of rampant mistrust and polarization the autonomy and power of art is of the utmost importance, particularly in holding to account those who would seek to quell it. Art too, can be fearless. Art too, can be a commanding force for political change and social justice. In a time when a band of courageous voices can sweep the nation with two simple, but potent words: #MeToo, and a group of young survivor’s poignant plea that #Enough is enough, art can do its part to take the world to task.
The work collected here spans mediums and genres but is united by bonds of scholarship, intention, and the insatiable need to process and contextualize the experiences we are subjected to. It is a way to work through and ultimately derive meaning from the seemingly random string of occurrences which weave together into individual lives. We have come together to support, strengthen, and experience each other, as each of us is art too.”
This exhibit is the culmination of the students’ hard work and creative talent, something Genesee Community College encourages and features in the College’s Recognition Matters series which shines the spotlight, sometimes literally, onto the high-quality inspirational contributions created by GCC’s students, faculty and staff.
Genesee County Park Interpretive Nature Center is located ¼ mile from the Bethany Center Road entrance of the Genesee County Park at 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, NY 14054. The Center’s summer hours are Thursday through Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. For more information go to: http://co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/inc.php
For more information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.
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