College of the Redwoods presents ‘Urban Garden’ exhibition by Lisa Marie Barber

College of the Redwoods will present ‘Urban Garden’, an exhibition of ceramic sculptures and mixed media quilts by Lisa Marie Barber, on display Oct. 4 through 25. There will be an opening reception for the artist on Oct. 4 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Barber uses ordinary materials, simple tools, and direct techniques to make her colorful, fanciful, and visually abundant work. Influenced by the Mexican Folk art and religious shrines of her upbringing and heritage, her ceramic sculptures and mixed media quilts are playful and celebratory meditations on her experiences and the world around her. Her approach to object making references the informal training of her childhood, as well as the importance of ornamentation and visual abundance in denoting value and importance in a work of art. In this exhibition, Barber’s ceramic-based architectural arrangements bloom with botanical inventions. Her quilts vibrate with uninhibited color and richly descriptive texture.

Lisa Marie Barber describes her work as “not simple compositions, but simple in concept and method.” Originally from Tucson, AZ, Lisa Marie is currently a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Barber will conduct an interactive demonstration of her ceramic building techniques for students and the public in room CA 136 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3. She will also present a lecture about her work in room CA 136 at 3:00 p.m. on Oct 4. Immediately following the lecture, the opening reception for Urban Garden will be hosted in the Creative Arts Gallery from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

This exhibition and the related programming are supported by College of the Redwoods Student Equity.

The Creative Arts Gallery at College of the Redwoods is located on the Eureka Main Campus, North Entrance and is open Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.redwoods.edu/artgallery or call the Art Department office at (707) 476-4559.

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