The work of three Chapel Hill-area artists will be on display and for sale at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro from May 25 to June 30, with a portion of sales benefiting UNC Hospice. The exhibit, titled “Layered Lives,” will feature over one hundred pieces by Ron Liberti, Harry Lane Wurster and the late Roger Kellison. An opening reception with music from Shark Quest will be held in conjunction with The 2nd Friday ArtWalk, June 8, from 6-9 PM.
Subtitled “Paint, Photo Collage, Paste & Prints: Conversational Mixed Media,” the show represents eight decades of work from three prolific, largely self-taught artists. The idea for the joint show came about quite organically, said Wurster.
“Last fall, Ron and I were discussing our art and he suggested the two of us have a show. We met over coffee to discuss the idea and I asked him to take a look at two of the late Roger Kellison’s amazing photo collages at my house. At the first glance, he responded, “Yes! We must include Roger’s work.” Wurster then met with Kellison’s daughter, Laura Kellison Wallace. She and her husband, Daniel Wallace, were thrilled with the idea of the show being a tribute to Laura’s father.
“Ron, Laura and I decided we wanted a show where the sales of the art would benefit a Triangle health services agency,” Wurster said. “Each of us had had family experiences with the wonderful care of hospice, so we contacted the folks at UNC Hospice and they came aboard. “
“I can’t say enough about UNC Hospice. Along with making my father’s last year comfortable,” Kellison Wallace said, “they kept me feeling capable and supported.”
The primary focus of UNC Hospice services is to provide support and compassionate care for patients in the last phases of terminal illness. They strive to ensure all patients have the opportunity to live fully and comfortably.
“My brothers and I are forever grateful to the hospice care workers who so sympathetically helped us, and more importantly our dear mother, during the most difficult time of our lives,” said Liberti. “Our family witnessed the compassionate hospice care during my wife sister’s final days,” echoed Wurster.
“We are thrilled that this talented group of artists has chosen to support UNC Hospice with a portion of proceeds from this event,” says Deidre A. Bruce, Director of Development, UNC Medicine Development. “Each one has had a personal experience with hospice, and they understand the impact our programs and services have on patients and their loved ones. We are grateful for their support.”
Located at 300-G East Main Street in Carrboro, The ArtsCenter is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to educate and inspire artistic creativity and to enrich the lives of people of all ages. Every month, The ArtsCenter exhibits new work from emerging and established local artists in its Nicholson and Corridor galleries.
About the artists:
Ron Liberti is an artist and musician working in screenprinting, painting, and collage. Liberti studied fine arts at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ and printmaking at Brighton Polytechnic in Brighton, U.K. Moving to Chapel Hill, N.C. in 1991, Liberti has been participating in the local music scene as a musician and artist since. His works enjoyed by a large worldwide following, he has also had many local commissions by Cat’s Cradle and Carrboro, N.C.
http://www.ronlibertiart.com
Harry Lane Wurster, a resident of Fearrington Village, picked up a paintbrush in 1997 and began his journey, painting out loud and outside the box. He is a member of Artist Studios at Fearrington Village, Chatham Arts Council, and Arts Council of Moore County. His art has won numerous awards and has been shown in solo and group exhibits. He says he wants his work to speak of the social and spiritual aspects of his life experiences.
http://harrylanewurster.com/
Roger Kellison was an avid photographer while living in New York City during the 1960’s and 1970’s. After a forty-year hiatus, his creativity was rekindled when he discovered digital cameras and printers. Kellison passed away in Chapel Hill at the age of 80 last August, following a bout with Parkinson’s disease. Doctors say that one of Kellison’s medications unleashed compulsive behaviors, perhaps accounting for the thousands of images he produced in the last few years of his life. His eclectic photos and collages frequently depict the unplanned and often ironic beauty in the decay of man’s enterprises: huge or small, urban or rural, important or sheer folly – they are often funny and sometimes sad – but all are a part of our best efforts to achieve a meaningful life.