You might know Hilary D. Gent as the owner/curator of HEDGE gallery, but somehow, she also finds the time to make art. Recently, Gent made some exciting changes to her painting practice, the results of which you can see this summer at the artseen in Vermilion. The charming lakeside town is home to what was once the historic Liberty Theater. In 2007, the building was renovated and re-opened by artist and gallerist Sherry Bradshaw. At artseen Bradshaw has shown the works of well-known regional artists such as Douglas Max Utter and Audra Skuodas.

When Bradshaw saw Gent’s new waterscapes, she knew it was a natural fit to show them in her gallery, only steps from the banks of Lake Erie. Inspired by that very same lake, Gent’s recent works showcase a new technique for the artist—pouring. Laying the canvas flat on the ground, she pours the paint directly onto the surface using a plastic cup. The surface of these new paintings is lusciously thick and tactile. Thin, sinewy strings of color stretch across the composition while other parts feature large pools of color with delightful cracks.

For the exhibition Water Signs, in addition to Gent’s waterscapes, Bradshaw will show her own work and pieces by Jennifer Whitten. The common theme here (beyond their astrological similarities—all three women are water signs) is examining how their personal experiences on the water have shaped their art. Vermilion is the perfect venue for this investigation, and afterwards you can get a hand-dipped ice cream and stroll down to the beach to experience the water for yourself.

 

WATER SIGNS: HILARY D. GENT, SHERRY BRADSHAW & JENNIFER WHITTEN | MAY 25–SEPTEMBER 1

RECEPTION 6–9PM SATURDAY, JUNE 2

GALLERY HOURS:

FRIDAY & SATURDAY | NOON-6PM

SUNDAY | NOON-2

AND BY APPOINTMENT

the artseen

5591 Liberty Avenue

Vermilion, Ohio 44089

440.963.0611

theartseeengallery.com

theartseengallery@gmail.com