Downtown Aurora Visual Arts presents Experiment!

     This exhibition explores the creative process and the importance of experimentation in art. DAVA Youth used unusual techniques and materials to discover new ideas. Artists Rosane Volchan O’ Conor and Gary Parkins add dimension to the exhibition, which opens to the public from May 11th to July 13th with the opening reception on Friday May 11th from 4 to 8 pm. Both artists will talk about their works during a closing reception on Friday July 13th from 6 to 8 pm. DAVA (Downtown Aurora Visual Arts) is located at 1405 Florence St., one block south of East Colfax in the Aurora Arts District.

     DAVA is a site of constant experimentation in all art media for young artists ages 3 to 18. The exhibit highlights the importance of constructive play and problem solving as an important part of skills needed in the 21st century. Through a series of playful art projects, many students went beyond their own creative blocks. Final projects by DAVA students include a series of works made with black and white paper; a group of sculptures made with available materials such as nuts, twigs, paper clips, magazine paper and melted crayons; and a paper quilt of one minute drawings created from random arrangements of objects and microscopic images.

     Guest artists in the exhibit show that experimentation and play are essential to the creative process for all ages. Influenced by music and biology, Rosane Volchan O’ Conor displays abstract organic patterns in her installations and prints. A new installation of neon lights, paper, drawings, metal and ceramic objects will hang in the center of the gallery. Gary Parkins designs custom machines to create works with ink pens, hot glue or magnetic particles. Some of the resulting ink drawings and magnetic sculptures will be on display.

 

     This exhibit is free and open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday or by appointment. For more information, please e-mail gallery@davarts.org.

   Downtown Aurora Visual Arts is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to strengthen the community through the arts with youth as its primary focus. For more information about our programs, visit www.davarts.org, or call DAVA at 303 367 5886.