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Upcoming Events “Fabrications” Nancy Pane Fortwengler’s Solo Artist Show of Figurative Dress Paintings at The Art League Gallery June 4 – July 6, 2009  In Nancy Pane Fortwengler’s series of figurative dress paintings, the body exists without the figure. The human body is not present in any of her work. The dresses, costumes, and tiers of fabric are in motion without a body to propel them. “Fabrications” reveals the construction, shape, and composition of these vibrant forms while embodying the presence of the human figure. Exploring the form and iconic symbols of femininity are long, reoccurring subjects for Fortwengler. This particular series evolved from working backstage with a ballet company. “The dancers, costumes in movement under the dramatic stage lighting created a wonderful abstraction within the layers of fabric. As light traveled though layer upon layer, new shapes were created, and I saw something new. The bodies of the dancers became irrelevant, and the dresses took on a life of their own.” These figures are soft yet powerful. The female forms take “center stage,” with only one “figure” featured in each piece. Fortwengler’s exaggerated color palette creates a heightened sense of reality, and places each piece in a dramatic, moody environment. Fortwengler works almost exclusively in pastel. “Pastel is my preferred medium. It unites the act of drawing and painting, unlike any other medium. The very nature of holding the pastel, and manipulating it directly, allows me to greatly control the amount of pressure and pigment I apply to the surface. The luminosity, vibrancy, and consistency of pastel are extremely relevant to my subject matter, enabling me to fully capture and portray transparency and dimension.” Fortwengler is a resident artist at Columbia Pike Artist Studios in Arlington, VA, a member of The Art League, and is a full member of the Degas Pastel Society, an associate member of the Southeastern Pastel Society, and the Pastel Society of the West Coast. Her work is held in collections nationally and internationally. She continues to study with Diane Tesler at The Art League School, a longtime mentor and teacher for over two decades. In The Art League Gallery: “Fabrications,” June 4 – July 6, 2009 Opening Reception: Thursday, June 11, 6:30 – 8:00 pm "Fabrications" is sponsored by Frame Masters. The Solo-Artist Gallery in The Art League Gallery 105 North Union Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Art League Gallery Hours: Daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday, 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm Open Thursdays until 9:00 pm Exhibitions and events are free and open to the public. For further information on this show, please call The Art League Gallery at 703-683-1780. Space Of Her Own (SOHO) "Graduation" Party June 11th 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Duke Street Annex (corner of Duke and South Union Streets) On Thursday, June 11th, we will be celebrating another successful year of the Space Of Her Own (SOHO) outreach program. The program serves at-risk, 5th-grade girls from Alexandria through one-on-one art-based mentoring. The girls and mentors meet weekly to have life skills lessons, eat a healthy dinner, and then have an art lesson taught by an Art League artist / instructor. The program culminates with HGTV-style room renovations for each girl that incorporate completed art projects and give each girl a personalized "space of her own." This year, 12 girls completed the program. At their graduation party, the girls will give a presentation about their year in SOHO, debut a video showing before-and-after room renovation footage, and have an exhibit of their completed artworks. Refreshments and snacks will be served. All are invited! Please join us at 5:30 p.m. in the Duke Street Annex.   |