Whether highlighting local talent or presenting nationally recognized artists, THELMA Galleries serve as a hub for artistic expression and cultural enrichment in our community.
Exhibitions are free and open to the public Tues | Weds | Thurs 5-7pm and during scheduled events. Contact us to schedule a private tour!
Directions For Getting Lost | Mari Anna Chism
June 15th-July 24th
Opening Reception June 19th 5:30pm-7:30pm
Mari Anna Chism is an abstract painter who works primarily with acrylics. Her practice has evolved as she explores the medium’s properties beyond color. She is interested in the materiality of acrylics that allows exploration of texture, depth, and form, transforming the paint itself into an integral part of the composition.
Her work is deeply influenced by a lifelong fascination with repetitive patterns and color harmonies. These elements serve as both a visual language and a way to create a rhythm within her paintings. Beneath the surface, an underlying grid structure anchors each composition, offering a sense of order amid the fluidity of form and color.
Using many layers and reductive painting techniques, she aims to create a delicate rhythm that draws viewers in, encouraging them to explore the hidden details within the work. Each layer is meticulously built and pared back, revealing intricate nuances that invite closer inspection and contemplation. The goal is to offer a quiet, meditative experience—one that unfolds slowly, with each viewing revealing new aspects of the composition.
Cut From A Different Cloth | Jill Page
June 15th-July 24th
Opening Reception June 19th 5:30pm-7:30pm
Part of what I value as an artist is the interaction between the materials and the final result. Being able to fully engage with my medium has been creatively inspiring to say the least. I get to feel the fabric, move it around in my hand to get a better understanding of it's flexibility, thickness, strength, weakness, texture, sheerness, if it's a tight or loose weave, all things that impact choices on how and when to use it for a piece. The use of fabrics has also allowed my artwork to come to life with a great deal of depth, texture and visual appeal. And since the textiles are quite old, I may only have a
limited amount available for use. All of these challenges is what creates a strong piece. Not only am I preserving a piece of history with reducing waste, I am working within the confines of the textile itself.
For every piece, they all started out with one vintage textile that sparked a vision of what it should become. And the rest is literally history.