Contemporary Art to Be Featured in July at Two Vassar Art Exhibitions

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The contemporary art exhibitions, "Recent Work: Paintings and Prints from Part Unrelated" by Richard Deon, and Adrianne Lobel’s “Summer Paintings,” will have have July showings and receptions at separate Vassar College venues. Deon's paintings and prints will exhibit at the James W. Palmer Gallery through August 1, with an artist's reception on July 8 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (845-437-5370). In conjunction with Vassar and New York Stage and Film's 21st Powerhouse Theatre Season, Lobel's paintings will be shown July 1 to 17 in the lobby of the Powerhouse Theatre, including a wine and cheese reception with the artist on July 9 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (845-437-5599, 437-5903).

Richard Deon's work explores the repetition of shapes in different compositions, creating unique interactions of artistic forms and ideas. The artist describes his Vassar exhibit, organized from collected paintings and images in his studio, as "a loosely composed story, a portfolio of seemingly unrelated prints that unfold in almost book form." Deon, of Dover Plains, is also currently exhibiting an 18-foot by 12-foot vertical painting in the show “T-Zone” at the Smack Mellon Gallery in Brooklyn. Deon’s solo exhibitions have also been seen at Poughkeepsie’s Barrett Art Center, at the Usdan Upstairs Gallery of Vermont's Bennington College, and at the Garrison (NY) Art Center (www.richarddeon.com).

An internationally renowned set designer, Adrianne Lobel was trained as a painter, and her exhibit will feature 20 paintings inspired by forms from nature. “They’re all done in the moment on location,” Lobel said. “They’re meant to be spontaneous translations of nature.” Lobel won an Obie Award for her creative two-story set of All Night Long at the Second Stage Theatre. She has designed for London’s Royal National Theatre and Royal Opera, in addition to numerous New York venues. Lobel gained further acclaim for the Tony-nominated Broadway staging of A Year With Frog and Toad, based upon the popular children's books of her father, the late Arnold Lobel. A Year With Frog and Toad was first presented at the 2002 Vassar and New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theatre Season, and the Broadway production was a Tony nominee for Best Musical. For further information, contact Beth Fargis-Lancaster, Executive Producer of the Powerhouse (845-437-5902) and the Powerhouse Box Office (845-437-5599), and visit www.vassar.edu/arts/.

The James W. Palmer Gallery is located in the College Center on the Vassar campus. For gallery hours, or to arrange accommodations for people with disabilities, call (845) 437-5370. Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Thursday, June 30th, 2005.