Norfolk's Manager of Cultural Affairs to hold first solo art exhibit at Virginia Wesleyan's Neil Britton Gallery
"Yearnings" by Karen Rudd
Nov. 17, 2011-Jan. 27, 2012
Neil Britton Gallery
Opening reception: Thurs., Nov. 17, 6-8 p.m.
By Staff | November 7, 2011
Karen Rudd moved to Norfolk, Virginia in 2006 to become the first manager of the City of Norfolk’s Public Art Program. Rudd, who calls herself a “Sunday painter,” creates mixed media images inspired by “the origins and essence of creation—both in nature and on the canvas.” Her solo show at the Neil Britton Gallery at Virginia Wesleyan College is the first exhibition of her work in the Hampton Roads area.
Rudd’s work is informed by nature. She describes herself as a process painter following the intuition of color and form—finding the image as she works. For Rudd, painting becomes an improvisational undertaking with layers of paint laid down, scraped away and reworked until the paint, color, shapes and surface are in tune with each other.
“This body of work was completed in the two years since my mother’s death, and is the personal processing of life, death, family, sadness and beauty,” Rudd explains. “Some pieces possess a very strong sense of journey, traveling or moving through. While the act is ultimately personal and self-indulgent, I hope to touch something universal.”
Karen holds a BFA from the University of New Mexico and is Manager of Cultural Affairs for the City of Norfolk where she works closely with city management, elected officials, a Commission and other city departments to establish the Public Art Program. Prior to moving to Norfolk, Karen worked with the Art Program for the City of Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico. She also managed the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund endowment as well as worked with the Albuquerque Arts Alliance on the Cultural Plan for the City.
The Neil Britton Gallery is located in the Hofheimer Library and is open to the public. Gallery hours are the same hours of operation as the library. During fall semester, the gallery is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-midnight, Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday noon-7 p.m. and Sunday noon-midnight.