As the autumn light begins to wane, plan a trip to Foxburg not only to see the leaves in color, but also to experience an artistic play on light: The illumination of a stained glass installation in a uniquely lit “dark” environment upstairs at the Red Brick Gallery. Cooperative Artist Jeffrey Calta presents “Dark Art: Leaded Glass in Two, Three & Four Dimensions”, featuring ten illuminated stained glass works, which started the weekend from September 30 and will run until Sunday November 13.
Also featured will be nature watercolors of Red Brick Gallery founder and Artistic Director, Donna Edmonds. Her images of plants, creatures and insects native to Western Pennsylvania also will be a preview of the illustrations which appear in a new children’s book authored by Andy Johnson, soon to be available in the Gallery Gift Shop.
Meet the Artists, Donna Edmonds and Jeffery Calta, at the opening reception with wine, cheese and a birthday cake immediately following the Sunday, November 6 concert by Kathy Soroka & Friends - Shall We Gather By the River at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall. The concert is a celebration of ARCA’s 16th birthday, featuring a Pops Concert, classical cabaret, with a popular mix of chamber music, piano solos, art songs, opera, jazz standards and musical theatre from Bizet and Rossini to Bernstein, Gershwin and Sondheim.
If you plan your visit on Saturday, October 8, you may enjoy a mimosa reception from 2 to 7 PM while shopping at the Fashion and Accessories Trunk Show of NYC Fashioin Institute of Technology graduate and RBG Cooperative Artist, Nissa Rappaport. Showcasing her passion for fashion as art; much of her work focuses on taking vintage styles and adapting them with modern and artistic twists. She is the creative designer behind The Gilded Troll, a women’s clothing and accessories company that matches elegance and whimsy in equal measure.
Jeffrey Calta has been fascinated with leaded (stained) glass most of his life. A resident of Fairview Township just outside Chicora, PA, he retired in 2019 after a career of 42 years as a chemist/production supervisor with the Sonneborn facility in Petrolia, PA. “I remember the beautiful images and colors of the large glass windows in my church when I was a young boy”. He was taught the craft and design of leaded glass from a friend when attending Allegheny College. His first piece was completed in 1975 and he continues his art to this day.
Jeffrey created a collection of leaded glass pieces that use non-solar illumination as the light source. Most people associate leaded or stained glass with church windows and sun catchers. The effect of sunlight through colored glass is a treat to the mind and eye. However, non-solar methods of illumination can offer the glass artist a new range of designs and theme-enhancing effects. His presentation will feature ten leaded glass works displayed in a uniquely lit “dark” environment created in the Upstairs Gallery for this exhibit. The exhibit room will be darkened and illuminated only by the light emitted by each piece establishing a tranquil and unique atmosphere for exhibit viewing.
All ten pieces in Dark Art represent an eclectic mix of designs. Astronomy, metaphysics, geometry, nature, and world and pop culture are the inspirations for the exhibit. Jeffrey was also inspired to create “multi-dimensional” effects by utilizing modern electronics and specialty glass in several of the pieces to enhance the theme of that piece.
Accompanying the stained glass works, the Autumn exhibit also will feature the nature watercolors of RBG Founder, Donna Edmonds. Donna’s watercolors have been a staple in the gallery since its inception 13 years ago. As always, they include watercolor images of plants, creatures and insects native to Western Pennsylvania.
“I am delighted to partner with Jeffrey’s unique exhibit. Light and shadow have a powerful influence in all artistic works. With stained glass, illumination is particularly essential to display the colors to their full beauty and brilliance. With watercolors, the transparent quality of the paints produces a lovely color clarity that dances with light.”
The exhibit started on Friday, September 30 and will run until Sunday, November 13 with weekend Red Brick Gallery Hours - Fridays 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Saturdays 11:00 PM – 7:00 PM, and Sundays 12:00 noon – 5:00 PM.
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