Colgan & Ryan in “Facets” at Cooperative
Nancy Ryan and Martha Colgan open March 4th in “Facets” at the Cooperative Gallery, running through March 26th. Both are accomplished artists and are presenting a variety of media including drawing, collage, prints, and pottery to name a few. Says Ryan, “The facets of a cut stone face in different directions but they are all part of the same stone.”
Nancy Ryan talks about her work, “I draw the things that I see around me, which allows me to closely observe and study them firsthand. Drawing can maintain the immediacy of the moment, which is why I don’t like a drawing that looks too polished. You can’t let the spark of life go out of it.” Ryan continues, “I’ve been drawing all my life but I’ve only been making pottery for about 15 years. I’m still learning about textures and surface treatments, each lending its own aesthetic qualities to the piece.”
Martha Colgan is taking “mixed media” to a new level. “I have been cutting up my trial paintings and using them as part of collage with additional painting. Nothing is ever wasted,” she explains. “I take my inspiration from nature, and for this show, in particular, the birds near my house.”
The Cooperative Gallery 213 is entering its 22nd year of presenting exhibits of local artists and community events. The gallery regularly schedules Life Drawing and a Third Thursday Art Talk. “The pandemic has forced us to do more things on line, like our online store and Facebook Live events,” according to Gallery president Karen Kuff-Demicco. Over 100 gallery members and the public receive a weekly e-newsletter and exhibiting members are featured on the website at www.cooperativegallery.com and Facebook and Instagram. The Cooperative Gallery 213 State St. in Binghamton is open First Friday 5- 9 pm and every other Friday 5-8 pm and Saturday 11 am- 3 pm.
