A Sneak Peek at SOLOS
STUDIO VISITS WITH AAC’S SPRING SOLOS ARTISTS
As you might know, the annual SOLOS exhibitions are a long-running tradition at AAC designed to encourage emerging Mid-Atlantic artists to realize an installation or body of work through a solo exhibition in one of seven gallery spaces or on the grounds. Part of AAC’s role in realizing these works is curatorial and artistic guidance, often taking place during a series of studio visits.
As we gear up to launch the 2014 Spring SOLOS we wanted to share an exclusive preview of the exhibitions via snapshots and thoughts from studio visits with Karyn Miller, our Director of Exhibitions and the spring soloists.
I spent several days in February and March doing one of my favorite things — studio visits. Studio visits always offer great insight into an artist’s practice and process. And it gives me an inside look at what will be coming to Arlington Arts Center next, so I thought I’d share.
Off I went, on trains, metros, cars, and buses to two studio visits in Baltimore; two in Philadelphia; one in Salisbury, MD; one in Washington, DC; and one in Richmond, VA.
Here are just a few highlights I’ll share, but you’ll have to check out SOLOS, opening from 6-9pm on April 26th to see what this talented crew of artists has cooked up.
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COLLEEN McCUBBIN STEPANIC
Colleen will be showing her fractal watercolors that abstract different mountain ranges that she visits. Colleen will also be showing two wall-based sculptures made of painted and stitched canvas (her trusty sewing machine is pictured below).


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Kyle assembles slip cast porcelain shapes, wooden forms, and found objects into sculptures that echo buoys, signs, beacons and other maritime and navigational objects.


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SALVATORE PIRRONE
Salvatore takes common household items — like the cast tennis balls seen below — and casts them in concrete and plaster in a series of sculptures exploring themes of play, work, and identity.


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In these exhibitions you’ll see new work by artists Phillip Adams, Benjamin Andrew, Alex Arzt, Kyle J. Bauer, Elizabeth Kauffman, Salvatore Pirrone, and Colleen McCubbin Stepanic. Meet them and us at the opening reception on Saturday, April 26 from 6 – 9 pm. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet AAC’s resident artists in their studios.