Through Water: BETSY WEIS (A Survey
1987-2004) Beginning December 22, 2004 the Saginaw Art Museum will present more than twenty abstract paintings by New York City artist Betsy Weis. This exhibition represents more than eighteen years of work and the “refining of an abstract language in which luminous, textural and plastic qualities of paint are used to represent the natural world,” according to Weis. She has shown her work many times including shows at the Braunstein/Quay Gallery in San Francisco and Carrie Haddad Gallery in Hudson, New York, however Through Water will be this artist’s first solo museum exhibition and her first survey show. Betsy has long been interested in water, as are we who live in Michigan. But these paintings are about abstract ideas involving water, not literal images of water. She grew up in San Francisco and received her BFA from California College of Arts and Crafts, before moving to Manhattan several years ago. There she completed her MFA at New York University. Betsy continues to live in New York City with her husband and daughter in a live-work studio. The majesty and mystery of water connects her life in California to her life in New York, and now with the exhibition in Michigan, where water is a dominant aspect of every day living for all of us. Betsy will serve as Artist in Residence during her stay with us in early January at which time she will share her philosophy and her art with local residents and students. Though working in the area for just a brief time, as Artist in Residence Betsy Weis has a full plate. After her arrival in Saginaw, Betsy will jump full force into working with local students by visiting the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy. In presentations to both middle school and high school students she will discuss the “business of being an artist.” Her discussions and slide presentations will give students insight on her background, how she prepared herself for a career in the visual arts, and skills necessary for working as a professional artist. Her second day of presentations will take place at St. Stephen Elementary School. There, not only will she talk about being an artist, but she will also present the evolution of her work over the past eighteen years through a slide presentation to the young art students. Join us Thursday, January 6 at 6 p.m. for the Artist Opening of Through Water: Betsy Weis and Saturday, January 8, at 10:30 a.m. for a gallery walk where Betsy will talk about her work. She will lead visitors through the entire exhibit as she speaks about her works, concepts and imagery. Betsy’s gallery talk about her mysterious abstract works promises to enlighten visitors of all ages. Both events are free to members and children under 16, or included with a paid adult admission. |