FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING OPENS AT STIFEL

WHEELING, W.Va. (May 29, 2009)- - Members of the Independent Artists’ Group (IAG) of Wheeling believe that life drawing- particularly figure drawing- is the foundation of all art forms.

Their diverse works are featured in the group exhibition “Figuratively Speaking,” which opens Thursday, June 11 at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center with a free and festive public reception from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. The public is invited to view the works, meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and entertainment, provided by the Wheeling Park Jazz Combo.

Featuring soulful portraiture in charcoals, graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, oils and acrylics, the exhibition showcases the mystery and wonder of figure drawing, explores artists’ interpretation of the human form and captures moments in life touched by light and color, motions and gestures.

IAG is a group of local professional artists, amateurs and students who gather each week in a high-windowed room of the Stifel Fine Arts Center to draw from life. Some are working artists. Some are not. Some have been to art school, while others are self-taught. But in this era of computer-generated art, collage and constructed art, this eclectic, intense and talented group comes together to celebrate and create figuratively inspired works of art and honor drawing as an important part of artistic skill.

“The aim of IAG is twofold. Art comes first. But also important is to approach abandon, to leave all troubles at home and just enjoy the experience of dwelling in the right brain for a couple of hours,” member Joe Raymond said. “The results have been remarkable. Those who considered drawing more of a nuisance than an aid to developing their other skills as painters have discovered it to be just the opposite.”

IAG members are as diverse as their works. They include a homemaker from Taiwan who discovered a love for painting and drawing while working her way through the Stifel course schedule; an accomplished potter from Poland looking for a new style in charcoals and pencil; a soft spoken steelworker who hides his self-taught art from his co-workers, but manages to turn out hundreds of works a year from his home in the country side; a retired teacher trying to turn back the clock some 40 years to return to her artistic roots and a former nurse and 21st century hippie channeling the masters of a previous era in every medium she can get her hands on.

“We have become each other’s teachers, critics, friends and exhibition partners,” member Cecy Rose said. “We invite everyone to view our works and explore along with us the mystery and wonder evoked by working as figurative artists.”

IAG members featured in “Figuratively Speaking” are: Anne Hazlett Foreman, Meg Geroch, Ed Green, Bill Hogan, Pat Jacobson, Calvin Matzke, Tim Midget, Judy Minder, Bozena Plucinska, Joe Raymond, Dora Reed, Cecy Rose and Janet Wang. United National Bank partnered with Oglebay Institute to present the 2008-2009 season of art exhibitions at the Stifel and is proud to take an active role in support of art in the Upper Ohio Valley.

“Figuratively Speaking” can be seen free of charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday –Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through August 14. Many of the works on display can be purchased.

Located at 1330 National Road in Wheeling, Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is conveniently located just off exit 2B of 1-70. Also a teaching facility, the Stifel welcomes students of all ages to its ongoing classes in art, dance, fitness, cooking and more.

For more information call 304.242.7700 or visit on the web at www.oionline.com

Part of the Helen B. Gaither Exhibition Season, “Figuratively Speaking” was also made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.