"Tattooed Lady, keeping time," acrylic on canvas, by Marti Bein.
Truckee Meadows Community College invites the community to view an intriguing and fun summer art show “Rural Circus: Become the Absurd,” on exhibit from June 5–26.
Also, all are encouraged to attend an opening reception on June 9. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served at the opening.
- When: Reception on Friday, June 9, from 5–7 p.m.
- Where: Main Gallery, V. James Eardley Student Center, Red Mountain Building, 7000 Dandini Blvd., in Reno
The TMCC Main Art Gallery features “Rural Circus: Become the Absurd,” a group exhibition featuring works by local artists who have created or developed visual projects at Wedge Outside the Box, a community art studio.
Marti Bein, Reno artist and guest curator explained how the innovative exhibit came to be and the origin of its unique title.
“Why a ridiculous circus? A year or so ago, I commented to a well-tattooed student at TMCC that a long time ago she could be the tattooed lady in the circus but now she looked no different than her peers,” Bein said. “She laughed and said that maybe if she had only one small tattoo she might be a side show attraction.”
An exhibition idea began to emerge.
“We then began to concoct an imaginary scenario of ridiculous circus attractions,” she added. “Several of them found their way into paintings, and I secured dates at TMCC for a show. Meanwhile, after discussing the show with a couple of artist friends, we reminisced about going to the circus as children. We used to put on our own little rural circuses when we came home. We used 2-by-4 inch boards as tightropes, we put party hats on our pets and had them do tricks, we used the swings for trapezes and we charged admission.”
The idea evolved.
“Suddenly, a solo show just didn’t sound as much fun as a group of artists interpreting the circus each in their own way,” Bein said. “TMCC agreed to expand the show to include invited artists through Wedge Outside the Box and so here we are.”
Artists in addition to Bein include:
- Joan Arrizabalaga
- Teri Barnes
- Eric Brooks
- John Carpenter
- Katherine Case
- Joan Giannecchini
- Ashleigh Harvey
- Stan Kaplan
- Donna Jean Koepp
- Katrina Lasko
- Wes Lee
- Bel Mills
- Jessamine Parker
- Ben Parks
- Elaine Parks
- Lynne Pierce
- Gail Rappa
- Jacy Robinson
- Robin Ruybason
- Erin Shearin
- Shara Sinatra
- Vivian Schupbach
- Catherine Schmid-Maybach
- Sidne Teske
- Cullen Wegman
- Shoshana Zeldner
For more information, please contact Candace Garlock, TMCC Galleries Curator, at the Dandini Campus, Red Mountain Building, room 334C, call 775-674-7698, or visit the TMCC Art Galleries.