Work by Darien Bogart
This September 16th and 17th the Lawrence Art Guild will host their 59th Art in the Park. Over 125 artists will converge in South Park in Lawrence, Kansas. Among these are artists who have been participating for many years. Celia Smith, a Lawrencian who has won awards across the country as well as internationally, has been showing at Lawrence’s Art in the Park since the 1960s. Her stylized work incorporates line to suggest feeling and motion. Another long-time favorite is ceramic artist Alan Brummell. Brummell began his career as a potter in 1975 and has been making masterfully shaped and painted ware ever since with wheat stalks and abstract imagery gracing his work ever since. Digital artist Robbin Loomis, painter Jen Unekis, jeweler Julie Kingsbury, paper artist Angie Pickman, and the Lawrence Photo Club are among many others that are long-time exhibitors.
Alongside these artists who have delighted us for decades with their work, are artists who are just now coming into the art fair scene. The Lawrence Paint Haus is a group of artists who are currently affiliated with the University of Kansas or have recently graduated. Another new KU graduate is Emma Hixson, a painter who describes her work as such, “My current body of work is an exploration of comfort and how I can use not only subject matter, but colors, patterns and textures to visually describe the feeling of comfort.”
2023 will be the first year at Art in the Park for several other artists. Amy Allen with her bright mandala paintings is sure to be a new favorite. Jeweler Cora Carroll of Mountain Maiden company from the Black Hills of South Dakota is another newcomer. Cora was inspired to combine metal and beadwork when she was re-introduced to the technique while on vacation in South Africa. Her work adds elements of contemporary design and modern artistry to a centuries-old artform. New Mexico artist, Darien Bogart, a painter of brilliantly colored landscapes, will also be making his Art in the Park debut. Whether they are old favorites or first-time exhibitors, each artist selected to be at Art in the Park brings a unique vision.
You may go to www.lawrenceartguild.org and click on Art in the Park to see the Artists Gallery with all 125 artists.
