Red Brick Gallery Exhibit
JASON FLOYD LEWIS, painter and MARK DeWALT, wood artisan
Weekends April 19 to May 26
Responding to the natural landscape of western Pennsylvania, Jason Lewis’ paintings & drawings of places near his home are complemented by fourth- generation woodworker Mark DeWalt’s crafting of found wood from local forests.
While Mark enjoys “blending materials from diverse origins to create something new”, Jason is interested in “the various effects of light, air and humidity that can transform the mood of the landscape.”
Poets of the Wilds Poetry Reading
A co-sponsored Free Poetry Workshop and Reading at the Red Brick Gallery was held on Sunday, April 21 from 2 to 5:30 PM during the exhibit’s first weekend (Friday, April 19 through 21) – presented by Poets of the Wilds, in partnership with ARCA’s Red Brick Gallery and the Foxburg Free Library, from 2 to 3 PM at the Foxburg Free Library with a poetry reading from 3:30 to 5 PM in the Upstairs Gallery of the Red Brick Gallery.
Celebrating Earth Day on Sunday, April 21, participants in a free poetry writing workshop were introduced to the power of poetry conveying ‘Place, Sense and Craft’ in the nature-inspired poetry workshop presented by Poets of the Wilds including Patricia Thrushart, Byron Hoot, Raymond Gerrard Bugay aka Girard Tournesol and Wayne Wanger.
It was followed by a poetry reading by the master poets in the Red Brick Gallery Upstairs Gallery from 3:30 to 5 PM with a reception following.
EXHIBIT OPENING – Wine & Cheese Reception – Sunday, May 5
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Lewis/DeWalt Exhibit Opening and Wine & Cheese Reception on Sunday, May 5, from 4 to 6 PM, catered by Don Ras III and The Crow’s Cupboard, following the Lincoln Hall concert of world-renowned theatre organist, Dave Wickerham in “Wurlitzer Wonders and Improvisations” at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall.
No admission to the RBG reception. For concerts tickets, call to reserve to pay by cash or check at the door: 724-659-3153. Or buy online. Tickets: Adults $25, Members $20, Students $5
Nature-Inspired Art Opens Red Brick Gallery 2024 Season
Commenting on the overarching themes of the RBG’s 2024 exhibits he assembled, Artistic Director Jason Lewis said, “The natural beauty abundant in our region is the greatest source of inspiration behind the creativity of our guest artists. Whether through the careful crafting of natural materials, or the representation of natural splendors, nature is a common thread.”
He emphasized, however, that “the members of the Red Brick Artists’ Cooperative, whose work is exhibited all season long, are the backbone of our gallery’s presence. The membership continues to evolve, and we are fortunate to bring in new talent each season. This year, Ann Harting will be sharing her unique ceramics and fiber arts inspired by organic forms. Our new potter, Chris Bauer, is accomplished in producing functional ceramics. His work is wood fired, which leads to beautiful, sometimes surprising outcomes from the kiln. I believe this will be the first body of reduction fired ceramic work that we have had in the gallery.
As always, our special exhibit schedule is designed to showcase the work of RBG members while bringing in some of the region’s finest artists as guests at the gallery. ARCA Board member and RBG acrylic artist Karen Mortland has assembled an exhibit, “Mothers and Daughter” featuring 100 years of art created by four generations of women in her family. Member Karin Arnds is working with her colleagues at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts to create a group exhibit of weavings to open in October. Our largest collaboration, opening with a poetry reading on Sunday, June 2 from 4 to 6 PM, will feature the work of 15 visual artists paired with 15 writers who are composing poems in response to the artwork. This group of artists and poets from throughout Western Pennsylvania was selected with assistance from Barbara Pierce of Arts Oil City and by the Bridge Literary Arts Center.
Collaboration, connecting artists with one another and with a greater audience, is one of the most exciting things about what is happening at the Red Brick Gallery.”
Weekend RBG hours are: Fridays, 1-6 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM to 7 PM; and Sundays, 12 noon to 5 PM at RBG, 17 Main Street, Foxburg, PA 16036.
Mark Dewalt – wood artisan
Mark DeWalt is a Red Brick artist currently exhibiting works of wood.
DeWalt features woods of exceptional grain and or character in his work which includes fine furniture, turnings, and sculptural pieces.
Mark worked in his father’s cabinet shop as a high school student where he learned the craft of fine joinery and finishing that had been perfected by his father and grandfather.
He has continued to create art throughout his life even while completing his degree at Grove City College by creating leather products for individuals and boutiques. After college he set up DeWalt Pottery with his wife where they built two brick kilns, the supporting structures and made functional stoneware for sale in the region for over 12 years. As a builder he helped design the Pottery Domes in Grove City PA and completed a large fiber kiln for the owners of that business. His work as a builder included custom homes, commercial structures, post and beam structures and custom interior work.
After retiring from full time construction Mark built a shop to accommodate many of his father’s tools and began to focus on custom furniture using wood that had been gathered from his property and lumber curated over many years.
Mark has been a Red Brick Artist since 2016. In addition to physical works, Mark is also a keyboard artist performing in the area as a jazz musician and is the music director for North Sewickley Presbyterian Church
Artist’s Statement
Woodworking has provided both economic stability and artistic opportunity for four generations of my family. We grew up handling and manipulating wood; seeing it’s beauty revealed through works of fine craftsmanship, and captivated by it’s textures, colors, character and potential.
Always living in a rural setting, my fascination with trees has grown deeper with every year. In our local forests we have some venerable old growth trees surrounded by an amazing variety of species of different ages in the understory.
When wood is harvested, the story of the tree is often revealed by studying the grain. Whether I’m working with a giant slab from a hundred year old tree, a limb, a burl or milled lumber, I try to let the story of the tree show through the finished work. Each piece is inspired by the lumber being used. My design goals are to honor the tree as well as the traditions and proportions of fine woodworking, hopefully revealing what I see to others.
Jason Floyd Lewis – landscape painter
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.
Jason is represented by Art Access Gallery, Bexley OH and Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA. In 2023, he had three pieces accepted into the ANF exhibit at the Crary Gallery in Warren, a juried show celebrating the one-hundredth anniversary of the Allegheny National Forest. Jason also has one piece accepted into the 2024 Erie Art Museum Spring Juried Show.
Artist’s Statement
My artwork represents the landscape as I have observed it. The paintings and drawings represent real places, many of them near my home in western PA. Most of the places I choose to represent are in some way memorable, such as rivers, roads, trails or other significant landmarks.
I am interested in the way human activities coexist and intermingle with the natural landscape in rural areas. In my recent work, I have focused on forest interior spaces, exploring the more rugged terrain of wooded areas. I am also interested in depicting the various effects of light, air and humidity that can transform the mood of the landscape.
My goal is to represent the landscape in a naturalistic way. I use photographic reference in the studio to produce my finished works, however, I do not consider myself to be a photorealist. The photos are a tool used both for designing and for recording facts about my subject. As I work, I refer to the photographs, but also rely on my memories of observing the landscape and on my recollections of paintings done by other artists whom I admire. I work in thin layers of paint, building up detail and color contrasts gradually until I am satisfied with the visual impact of the representation.
In my work, I try to balance my strict attention to realistic detail with a freedom to manipulate the overall structure and effect of my images. I try to use gradations, lines and rhythms to create a sense of space and time in a dynamic way.
My goal is to orchestrate works of art that not only emulate the beauty of the landscape but also operate as an expression of my personal response to it.
ARRIVE EARLY & EXPLORE FOXBURG!
Stop by the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop
There is no admission for the exhibit opening. For those wishing to attend the concerts, you may call for reservations to (724) 659-3153 to pay cash or check at the door, or pay by credit card and buy online here.
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.
While in Foxburg, enjoy a walk along the Allegheny River trail or rent bicycles or enjoy a pontoon ride with Foxburg Tours in the morning or early afternoon! Have lunch at the Allegheny Grille with seating overlooking the Allegheny River, or for more casual fare, at Foxburg Pizza with salads, sandwiches and pizza.
Save time to savor a gourmet coffee and hand made chocolate at Divani Chocolatier and Barrista and enjoy wine tasting or enjoying wine flights on the newly remodeled patio at Foxburg Wine Cellars.
Make a weekend of it and spend the night in Foxburg in the lovely Foxburg Inn
Or if the Foxburg Inn is sold out for a wedding, stay up the river at the Emlenton bed and breakfast, The Barnard House.
The 2024 season Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop hours are Fridays 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Saturdays 11:00 PM –7:00 PM, and Sundays 12:00 noon – 5:00 PM.