Two artists are featured in this unique exhibit, Dave Snyder and Jessica Murphy.
Snyder’s 3-D metal sculptures capture the still form of birds and their simplified habitat. He began his career “throwing all the pieces up in the air … and they all landed together,” to quote one of his early professors. His work is pure spontaneity.
As Snyder says, “I’ll wake up half the time with a nutty idea, so I do it, while it’s fresh in my mind.”
Primarily working in metals, his sculpture portrays realistic objects in a unique scale, either larger than life or scaled down. His work exhibited in the FAC galleries during February will focus on species of birds, acting as they would in a natural environment, but “suspended” in simplistic form.
A native of Schuykill, Pa., Snyder was always surrounded by art in his younger years. His father was an artist, some of whose work resides in the Smithsonian Museum, accepted in 1977-78.
After graduating from high school in 1987 and spending eight years in the U.S. Army, Snyder used his welding and precision casting talents. During the time he worked at Liberty Arms Works in West Chester, Pa., he was involved in the fabrication of weapons and military equipment, even parts for a space shuttle.
As the result of watching a PBS story on Roy Underhill visiting the University of Rio Grande with Lonnie Bird, he packed his bags and came to Rio Grande, pursued additional education and his artistic creativity, choosing Gallia County to be his home.
Murphy is an undergraduate at the University of Rio Grande, and is the French Art Colony’s marketing/designer. She will graduate in May of this year with a bachelor’s of fine arts in visual arts, with a comprehensive of graphic design and a minor in interactive media. She already has a broad range of exhibits to her credit.
In the February exhibit at Riverby, she will be showcasing a vibrant red scarf, bringing “animation” to a snowy winter’s day.
A native of Gallia County and a graduate of River Valley High School, Murphy studied art in high school under Jan Safford. In past years, she participated in the French Art Colony’s River Recreation Festival art competitions.
Following this February exhibit at Riverby, her work for her senior show will be featured in the Greer Museum at the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College in April.
The opening reception for this exhibit is this Friday from 6 until 8 p.m., providing an excellent opportunity to both preview this unique show and meet the artists.
Sponsors for the February exhibit are Dailey Tire, Willis Funeral Home, and Mane Designers and Spa. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
For more information, call the French Art Colony at (740) 446-3834. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 until 5 p.m. on Sundays. The galleries are closed on Mondays.
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