Two artists who teach at Winthrop University, Myles Calvert and Tamara LaValla, are presenting their artwork in a showcase titled “Want More” in the Gately Gallery in downtown Florence until March 7.
According to the Gately Gallery coordinator, Dawn Fenimore, one of LaValla’s art pieces called “Autobiogenesis” was created throughout the pandemic year.
These pieces of art were created on small canvases and were based on LaValla’s moods during the pandemic. “Autobiogenesis” consists of different art pieces made out of cut-off paper, and anyone could get two pieces of this art. Visitors can simply choose one canvas and LaValla picks another piece based on the one chosen, and then visitors can even take these bits of art home with them.
Another piece called “Savant Grade” by LaValla and Thomas Uebler features a bench made of ashes. LaValla went through a divorce and was going through a tough time, so she decided to burn up a plethora of things. The ashes of her burnt items were then turned into a bench that could be sat on so visitors could watch a film displayed in the gallery.
The film takes place in the middle of the desert and shows a single match. When the match goes off, the film is over and starts again. The film is called “Imago” and it is 26 minutes long. Throughout the film, desert animals and voices can be heard.
Calvert created a collection of screen-printed pictures of pots. Calvert used to work for a Canadian pottery company called Blue Mountain Pottery, thus giving him his interest in pottery.
There is also an interactive wall that visitors can draw on. On the wall are plastic outlines of shapes that, upon closer inspection, represent the different pots in Calvert’s exhibition.
There was also an art piece called “Codependency” that features screen print textiles. The piece is a collaboration between LaValla and Calvert’s first and last interns. Through careful inspection, there is a code in the piece that says “Beloved.”
“There are very different designs that are pretty cool,” Luke Sarminto, a visitor at the exhibition, said. “There is a lot of color which pops out when you see it. These art pieces feel very playful and the compositions are nice.”
Overall, the art exhibit is an interactive and interpretive think piece about relationships and frustrations. Several pieces include hidden messages and others feature interesting interactive things such as taking a piece of art home or drawing on the walls.