"CPop is proud to present an exhibition by masters and maestros;
Six Artists in the Tradition Of The Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts- Featuring the works of- Tony Williams, Bill Girard, Jay Holland, Bill Rauhauser, Bob Vigiletti & Gordon O'Rear.
Opening reception- Saturday , November 17th, 2007 - 7 PM - 11PM
Exhibit runs through Dec 31st
Six Artists in the Tradition of The Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, is more than just a group show of six gifted artists who happened to teach together at the Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts from the mid-sixties through well into the 90's.
It's also a show of expert craftsmanship , variety and vision spanning years and lives and the unique and lifelong friendship these men have created. The six were also influential and inspiring teachers whose collective legacy are countless numbers of talented students whose craft and vision were nurtured and developed under the Six.
Arguably the most storied group of art instructors on one faculty ever in Detroit (which also included the late painter, Russell Keeter ) carved their indelible marks through 30 years of training some of the finest artists in America .
The Art and Craft's is now known as The College for Creative Studies, one of the most prestigious art schools in the midwest and a Detroit cultural institution.These six are the foundation on which that institution is built upon.
The Artists:
Tony Williams- Painter- A man whose talent and exceptional vision has made him one of this city's most accomplished figurative painters. Along with William Girard and the late Russell Keeter , Williams was one of perhaps the best trio of painting instructors teaching in one school in Detroit's history. Tony's Hemmingway-like life and experience inform his work and imbue it with amazing grace and verve that only an exceptional life lived could produce. But it's his capacity for humor and a, "wonder of it all" point of view that resonates with humanity
William (Bill) Girard- Painter- Bill Girard's love of music, theatre and mythology fuel his vision of the world. Adept at all styles and ism's , Girard was beloved by both students and patrons. An autodidact , Girard's work has an air of freedom and humor that many academically schooled painters can't match. His fearlessness shows in his operatic style , full of color, emotion and above all- sly humor. It's also ironic that Bill became renown as an "academic" while having no real formal training . This is a testament to his innate need for expression and compulsion to teach.
Gordon Orear- Ceramics- A WWII veteran , Orear's decidedly post-modernist take on pottery and ceramics are as unique as they are innovative. His studies as a student at the Arts and Crafts , led him to The Henry Ford Museum in 1957 where he became Director Of Pottery Operations until he began teaching at The Art and Crafts in the late sixties. Orear also served as Chairman of the Ceramics department from 1973 to 1988. In addition to his ceramic work , Gordon is co-author of a book on John Foster and is currently preparing a critical biography of painter, Charles Culver.
Jay Holland- Sculptor- A sculptor without peer, Holland's bronze work glorified the human form by creating mythic and stunning figurative works in all sizes. During 30 years plus tenure as an influential instructor , who was known as tough a taskmaster as he was a perfectionist , which was evident in his own work. Examples of his work adorn the CCS campus and his work resides in many important private collections.
Robert Vigiletti- Photographer. Was founder and Chairman of The CCS Photography Dept. , Senior Instructor and Dean of Academic Affairs whose work has covered the wide spectrum of photographic and computer image making as the medium has evolved from film through the digital technology which modern photography has embraced . Bob's imagery is a colorful semi-abstract exploration blending his rock solid photographic background and compositional skills with digital technology allows for imaginative and otherworldly imagery.
Bill Rauhauser- Photographer- Trained as an Architectural Engineer, Bill worked as one nearly 20 years before making a career change to education. Bill's personal work has appeared everywhere from his "Family Of Man" exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City to curating The Detroit Institute of Art's exhibit , "The car and the Camera" in 1996.All six artists will be attending the opening."Six Artists..." runs through the end of 2007. Call 313 833-9901 for support materials and further resources.
CPop Gallery
4160 Woodward
Detroit, MI
Hours Noon -7PM
Tues-Sat1 PM- 5PM
Six Artists in the Tradition Of The Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts- Featuring the works of- Tony Williams, Bill Girard, Jay Holland, Bill Rauhauser, Bob Vigiletti & Gordon O'Rear.
Opening reception- Saturday , November 17th, 2007 - 7 PM - 11PM
Exhibit runs through Dec 31st
Six Artists in the Tradition of The Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, is more than just a group show of six gifted artists who happened to teach together at the Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts from the mid-sixties through well into the 90's.
It's also a show of expert craftsmanship , variety and vision spanning years and lives and the unique and lifelong friendship these men have created. The six were also influential and inspiring teachers whose collective legacy are countless numbers of talented students whose craft and vision were nurtured and developed under the Six.
Arguably the most storied group of art instructors on one faculty ever in Detroit (which also included the late painter, Russell Keeter ) carved their indelible marks through 30 years of training some of the finest artists in America .
The Art and Craft's is now known as The College for Creative Studies, one of the most prestigious art schools in the midwest and a Detroit cultural institution.These six are the foundation on which that institution is built upon.
The Artists:
Tony Williams- Painter- A man whose talent and exceptional vision has made him one of this city's most accomplished figurative painters. Along with William Girard and the late Russell Keeter , Williams was one of perhaps the best trio of painting instructors teaching in one school in Detroit's history. Tony's Hemmingway-like life and experience inform his work and imbue it with amazing grace and verve that only an exceptional life lived could produce. But it's his capacity for humor and a, "wonder of it all" point of view that resonates with humanity
William (Bill) Girard- Painter- Bill Girard's love of music, theatre and mythology fuel his vision of the world. Adept at all styles and ism's , Girard was beloved by both students and patrons. An autodidact , Girard's work has an air of freedom and humor that many academically schooled painters can't match. His fearlessness shows in his operatic style , full of color, emotion and above all- sly humor. It's also ironic that Bill became renown as an "academic" while having no real formal training . This is a testament to his innate need for expression and compulsion to teach.
Gordon Orear- Ceramics- A WWII veteran , Orear's decidedly post-modernist take on pottery and ceramics are as unique as they are innovative. His studies as a student at the Arts and Crafts , led him to The Henry Ford Museum in 1957 where he became Director Of Pottery Operations until he began teaching at The Art and Crafts in the late sixties. Orear also served as Chairman of the Ceramics department from 1973 to 1988. In addition to his ceramic work , Gordon is co-author of a book on John Foster and is currently preparing a critical biography of painter, Charles Culver.
Jay Holland- Sculptor- A sculptor without peer, Holland's bronze work glorified the human form by creating mythic and stunning figurative works in all sizes. During 30 years plus tenure as an influential instructor , who was known as tough a taskmaster as he was a perfectionist , which was evident in his own work. Examples of his work adorn the CCS campus and his work resides in many important private collections.
Robert Vigiletti- Photographer. Was founder and Chairman of The CCS Photography Dept. , Senior Instructor and Dean of Academic Affairs whose work has covered the wide spectrum of photographic and computer image making as the medium has evolved from film through the digital technology which modern photography has embraced . Bob's imagery is a colorful semi-abstract exploration blending his rock solid photographic background and compositional skills with digital technology allows for imaginative and otherworldly imagery.
Bill Rauhauser- Photographer- Trained as an Architectural Engineer, Bill worked as one nearly 20 years before making a career change to education. Bill's personal work has appeared everywhere from his "Family Of Man" exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City to curating The Detroit Institute of Art's exhibit , "The car and the Camera" in 1996.All six artists will be attending the opening."Six Artists..." runs through the end of 2007. Call 313 833-9901 for support materials and further resources.
CPop Gallery
4160 Woodward
Detroit, MI
Hours Noon -7PM
Tues-Sat1 PM- 5PM