“Home in a Jar” by Janet Hickey — Photo by Dennis Ray
The Gallery at Flat Rock presents a lighthearted group exhibit focused on objects and materials iconic to childhood and playtime. “Child’s Play” features four local artists: Don Greeson, Jean Greeson, Janet Hickey, and Janet Orselli.
“Each of these artists does a great job of capturing a sense of the creative joys and play-filled days of childhood,” says Suzanne Camarata, owner of The Gallery at Flat Rock. “The timing of this fun show couldn’t be better after such a difficult year.” — Suzanne Camarata, Owner
THE ARTISTS
Janet Hickey
Janet Hickey, who creates miniature mixed-media sculptures, takes playful irreverence to the next level. “Ready for Spring” (at only 9 inches tall) encapsulates the child-like enthusiasm of swimming for the first time in warm weather, even if it’s just in a plastic kiddie pool. The flat-out weirdness of her figures—which are created to look more like an insect than a human body, adds to the fun of Hickey’s pieces.
— Photo by Dennis Ray
Don Greeson
Painter Don Greeson whose first public art exhibit is “Child’s Play”— sought out original packaging of various everyday items from bygone eras to use as subjects for his paintings.
“My subject matter tends to be somewhat nostalgic, featuring vintage toys or familiar antiques,” says Greeson. “Most of my paintings tell a story, designed to inspire memories of youthful imagination and innocent fun.”
Jean Greeson
Greeson’s wife, Janet, has a similar take on things in her clay sculptures.
“I try not to take my sculpting too seriously and have fun playing with clay as I did when I was a child,” she says of her complex and colorful pieces. “Whimsical and humorous, it reflects my passion for animals, flowers, and color…which hopefully takes viewers back to the days when their minds were more open, creative, and free.”
Janet Orselli
The quietly enigmatic assemblage sculptures by Janet Orselli, carefully structured objects also evoke lost days of carefree play. The discarded objects she finds to create her artwork show the visible wear and tear from the children who once treasured them. Creating a new life for things, mostly wood and other organic materials, is a point of fascination for Orselli.
The Gallery at Flat Rock, located in Flat Rock Square at 2702A Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, represents finely curated art and craft. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday 11-4 pm and Sunday 11- 3 pm or by appointment. To learn more, please visit the gallery website at galleryflatrock.com or call the gallery at (828) 698-7000.