CHARLIE PLATT, earthenware ceramics & JASON FLOYD LEWIS, drawings & paintings
Two artists working in distinct media, concurrently inspired by the waterways and landscape of Western Pennsylvania.
Weekends April 17 to May 24
Weekend RBG hours are: Fridays, 1-6 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM to 7 PM; and Sundays, 12 noon to 5 PM
The Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop is located at 17 Main Street, Foxburg, PA 16036.
SOFT OPENING – Saturday, April 18 from 5 to 7 PM
The RBG exhibits and opening receptions are open to all.
In the opening weekend of the exhibit, there will be a soft opening on Saturday, April 18 from 5 to 7 PM before the concert featuring CATRO and KEY FACTOR in tribute to ARCA’s former Executive Director, the late Drew Orient. For concerts tickets, call to reserve to pay by cash or check at the door: 724-659-3153. Or buy online here. Tickets: Adults $20
EXHIBIT OPENING – Sunday, May 3 from 4 to 6 PM
The Exhibit Opening and Wine & Cheese Reception will be on Sunday, May 3, from 4 to 6 PM, following the Lincoln Hall concert of International Piano Laureate David Allen Wehr with Pittsburgh Symphony Flutist Rhian Kenny and guitarist John Marcinizyn in The History of The Tango at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall. For concerts tickets, call to reserve to pay by cash or check at the door: 724-659-3153. Or buy online here. Tickets: Adults $25, ARCA Member Discount $20, Students FREE
Charlie Platt – earthenware ceramics
Charlie Platt grew up in the small town of West View, just north of Pittsburgh. His father was a great influence in his appreciation for the Arts when he was very young. His father was a mechanical engineer. He was also a Renaissance Man, a patron of the Arts, a collector, an amateur photographer, and a stained-glass craftsman.
Charlie was first introduced to clay at North Hills High School by Keith Herchenroether, an extraordinary Art Teacher.
Charlie attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and studied ceramics under Ken Ferguson, Steve Kemenyffy, Donna Nicholas, and Robert Milnes, graduating in 1986 with a BFA (concentration ceramics) and a Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate.
A job, straight out of college, as a Childcare Specialist at a children’s home, turned into a full-time career.
The job, and later the birth of his son, made it difficult to find time to work in my studio. In the early days of 2020, with his son grown and an early retirement brought on by the pandemic, Charlier was able to return to his studio and creating with clay.
Artist Statement
I love the “mud”! A more versatile medium would be hard to find.
A lump of clay can be transformed in so many different ways. I have always found it interesting that a wet, malleable, piece of earth can be manipulated by hand and transformed with heat into a rock-hard permanent work of art.
I enjoy being outdoors, and during the warmer months I take pleasure in time spent on and around the Allegheny River, mostly between Franklin and Parker, cycling the trails and paddling my kayak on day trips and overnight camping on the river’s islands.
During the colder months I retreat to the studio. My artwork is influenced, as of late, by my time around and on the river and what I see there.
Jason Floyd Lewis – drawings and paintings
Landscape painter Jason Floyd Lewis is a Cooperative Artist and Artistic Director of the Red Brick Gallery.
He was born in Clarion PA and graduated from Clarion Area High School where he was introduced to drawing and inspired to pursue art by his teacher.
Jason attended the Columbus College of Art and Design where numerous professors had an impact on his development. There he earned a BFA in Fine Art. He went on to attain an MFA in Drawing at Bowling Green State University, completing his schooling in 2004.
Jason eventually settled on landscapes as his primary subject matter because of his love for the natural beauty in the area where he grew up. He works in both graphite and oils. Since 2004 Jason has lived in Clarion with his wife Amanda who is a cold porcelain artist. They share a studio building where he completes most of his work.
Jason is the curator and director for the Red Brick Gallery in Foxburg, where he also exhibits artwork. Other local venues that have exhibited his work include the Gallery in the New Bethlehem Town Center, the Clarion River Art Gallery, numerous shows put on by Clarion and Forest County Arts Council and at the arts festival in Saxonburg.
Jason exhibits work regularly at galleries in Columbus, OH and in Erie. Special commissions include a mural in the Scenic Rivers YMCA in Clarion and a large painting installed in the courtroom of the Clarion County Courthouse.
Aside from making art, Jason has worked in carpentry, masonry and building, which was his father’s trade. He sill does some of this work and enjoys spending time with his wife and raising two daughters.
Artist Statement
Observation has always been at the core of my artistic approach, with nature being the ideal. Recently, I have been exploring ways in which subjectivity can affect my work while staying within the realm of honest observation.
As I rely heavily on digital photos in my creative process, I must acknowledge that I am already one step removed from true observation of nature. Remembered observations have started to play a larger role, and several of my new drawings were completed entirely from memory.
In my paintings, I have been breaking some self-imposed rules, allowing myself, for example, to use a contrived color triad in my palette rather than strictly examining each color relationship. For my technique, I may allow a smear or a scrape to describe a soft edge rather than defining each object with deliberately applied brush strokes.
I realized that I have been prohibiting myself from doing some of the things that I admire in others’ artwork. For me, this is a period of trying new things, while hopefully becoming a bit more expressive, and continuing to pursue the ideal of truth to nature.
ARRIVE EARLY & EXPLORE FOXBURG!
Stop by the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop for the exhibit of Charlie Platt and Jason Floyd Lewis open weekends from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, May 24 – for the soft opening on Saturday, April 18 from 5 to 7 PM before the CATRO and Key Factor concert in Lincoln Hall at 7:30 PM – or for the opening wine and cheese reception on Sunday, May 3 from 4 to 6 PM after the concert of pianist David Allen Wehr with PSO flutist Rhian Kenny and guitarist John Marcinizyn. RBG events are open to all.
And while at the RBG, be sure to save time to shop for that special gift from the first floor offerings of talented Cooperative Artists from the region.
Discover Foxburg!
When planning your trip to Foxburg – plan to take a brisk walk in the gorgeous spring afternoon along the Allegheny River trail or rent bicycles or have a scenic pontoon tour (beginning May 1 through October) on the Allegheny River with Foxburg Tours!
Before or after the concert, plan to dine overlooking the Allegheny on the deck of The Allegheny Grille or for lighter fare, soup, salads, sandwiches and amazing pizzas PLUS the pizza of the month at Foxburg Pizza.
Or have a wine tasting or enjoy a bottle of wine inside or on the patio of the remodeled Foxburg Wine Cellars.
When you become an ARCA member at the $100 level, receive a 10% discount on up to 6 bottles of wine on the day of an ARCA concert.
Make it a weekend on the beautiful Allegheny – having a romantic overnight at The Foxburg Inn, where every room has a river view – and seating on the patio is the perfect place for reading or resting after a walk or bicycle ride.
As an ARCA member at the $100 level, you receive a 5% room discount any time of the year and a 10% discount from Friday to Sunday on concert weekends. You may utilize the hotel website or calling directly (724-659-3116) and showing your membership card at check-in.
