Blakely Hall is always buzzing! And this spring, it’s especially exciting thanks to the latest gallery exhibition by Puget Sound Group Northwest Artists (PSGNWA).
Centered around the theme of “Light and Renewal,” this exhibition brought together 30 talented artists from the Seattle area to celebrate the arrival of spring. The gallery will remain on display (and for sale) until the end of June.
PSGNWA recently hosted an artist reception for the public to view the gallery and meet the creative minds behind each piece. I attended as a curious resident, and I’m happy to report that the experience was energizing and thought-provoking. It left me with a renewed appreciation for the creative talent in our community.
As I entered the space, I was struck by the coherence and unity of the collection, despite its diverse range of mediums and subjects. Each piece seemed to amplify a different element of the theme, as if they were all part of the same creative conversation.
Making my way through the exhibition, I had the opportunity to speak with several artists. Each time, my appreciation of the end result was magnified. Featured artists included a master jeweler who has been honing his talent at woodcutting since he was 15 and a painter who described her captivation with a waterfall she sees every year during a boat trip around Puget Sound. Each work was deeply intertwined with the experiences of the artist who brought it to life.
One of the many shining examples of this connection I found was in artist Elizabetta Brogi’s oil painting, “Back to Childhood.” It was bright, abstract and eye-popping. And while it was already bold from a distance, its gorgeous chaos revealed deeper layers of meaning as I learned more about it.
Through its dynamism, Brogi explored the unique spontaneity of childhood. Various symbols and memories would reveal themselves in the vibrant, expressive shapes that took form. As she pointed each one out—a whale, a balloon, the outline of a child’s face–they seemed to burst from the canvas, transforming a striking piece in its own right into an opportunity for personal interpretation.
A word that came up several times in my various conversations with the artists was “immersive.” Looking back on the experience, I realized that this term perfectly encapsulates the many aspects of each artwork that captured my attention.
Whether it was the striking contrasts that seemed to make the canvas jump off the wall or the stories and inspirations behind each piece, the exhibition was a meaningful, captivating display of expression and emotion for both the audience and the artist.
The “Light and Renewal” art gallery, which remains on display through June, celebrates collective creativity as well as the beauty of individuality. Each artist brought their unique perspective to the exhibition, resulting in a diverse and cohesive collection of works that creates a lasting impression. It was an inspiring reminder of the incredible talent and creativity that exists within the Seattle art community, and I left Blakely Hall feeling energized and renewed.
Audrey Short is a Magnolia Park resident and sophomore at Issaquah High School.
