ArtBistro

Created about 1 year ago

Description: GENESIS On 2 May 2008, for its inaugural show, the Sego Art Center will open GENESIS, an exhibition curated by Jason Metcalf with work by nine emerging and mid career artists: VALERIE ATKISSON, RUEL BROWN, BRIAN CHRISTENSEN, JARED CLARK, JEFF LARSEN, JARED LATIMER, HYUNMEE LEE, RYAN NEELY, CHRIS PURDIE. An opening reception will be held from 6 – 9 pm in association with the monthly Provo Gallery Stroll. In December 2006, Matthew Higgs wrote in Artforum International of a "profound shift in both ambition and attitude" that was taking place in New York and all across the art world. It was, and continues to be, a shift in interest from the commercial art world (although still and ever increasingly significant) to the non-for-profit, "one that suggests an equally profound opportunity, even a mandate, to reimagine and reanimate an entire culture." With this opportunity comes "the creation of new networks, new conversations among different kinds of artists, writers, curators, and others, of all generations—conversations that simply didn't exist or hadn't taken place before… an occasion to call for and celebrate difference." The newly founded Sego Art Center's mission is exactly the same—to become a galvanizing force for the arts within its own community. Sego will provide a forum and gallery space for practicing contemporary visual artists—local, regional, national and international. This forum will be open to the public and community through the means of educational resources including workshops, lectures, and various other activities. The center will also feature a sculpture garden along with studio space for local artists. The Sego Art Center's first show intentionally includes artists who embody the scope of future artists and artworks to be exhibited at the center. All have been involved at one point or another in the development of the Provo art scene. Their artistic media and concept vary significantly, thus microcosmically representing the current diversification within contemporary artistic practices. The works within this show are as varied as their creators. Each has their own circle of influence, some bigger than others. Each represents a different sphere of Sego's identity and mission, although not in its entirety. There are a great many other artists and individuals who share the same vision—that of Provo becoming a more significant location and destination for contemporary artistic expression. The Sego Art Center is such a destination. The center will continue to show contemporary artists of talent and accomplishment, both local and outside of Utah in origin. The goal of the Sego Art Center is to provide a continual forum of dialogue and expression, a unique voice that will show work that the citizens of Provo and the surrounding areas would not otherwise be able to experience. Genesis implies the beginning of something significant. This show would not be possible without the many artists and individuals who have worked and are working for the betterment of the Provo art scene—independently of Sego. The show thus represents not the beginning of good or relevant art in Provo for this has always existed, but the genesis of a significant and monumental contemporary art center, another important and necessary step in Provo's cultural history. Jason Metcalf Chief Curator / Director

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