In a unique turning of tables, Kehler Liddell Gallery’s member artists have invited 23 of their favorite fellow artists to a group exhibit entitled ARTIST AS CURATOR 2. This invitational show features accomplished, New England artists working in a variety of media including collage, drawing, handmade paper, painting, photography, print making, and sculpture. The show runs from July 9 through August 30, with an Opening Reception on Sunday, July 12.

The common denominator of the ARTIST AS CURATOR 2 show is a genuine admiration between the curators and their invited artists. The exhibit represents creative relationships: life-long associations, working partnerships, mentorships, personal inspirations, and friendships. “Kehler Liddell Gallery has always focused on community,” says photographer Penny Cook. “This show is a way of reaching out to artists who are not KLG members, but are very much a part of our community.”

“I asked Jennifer Davies because I think she is an amazing handmade paper artist,” says exhibit coordinator Alan Shulik. “I have known her since 1981, have followed her work closely, and am always inspired by the new directions she takes in her work.”

“I met print maker Scott Schnepf in 1978,” explains artist Tom Edwards. “We became good friends and have remained so for 37 years. I am a great admirer of his work, and I can’t imagine selecting anyone else for this exhibition.”

Edith Borax-Morrison describes painter Margery Caggiano as “an inspiration to me…always creating new work, so energetic yet flexible in her craft.”

Equally inspired by her selection is Penny Cook, who explains “I am moved by John Earle’s ability to capture the human spirit, his power of observation and empathy that allows him to find the hidden spaces of humanity in the most ordinary scenes. Even inanimate objects come alive under his watchful eye.”

“I chose Daniel Eugene,” writes exhibit coordinator Jean Perkins, “because his work has fascinated me for years. I wanted the opportunity to pick away at it, to discover, to give up complacency. Art at its best always stirs the pot.”

But ARTISTS AS CURATOR 2 is more than just a Favorites list—it is “art at its best.” An important and varied collection of work by a talented group of artists who work locally and exhibit both nationally and internationally, including:

Kwadwo Adae (New Haven), Marion Belanger (Guilford), Connie Brown (New Canaan), Margery Caggiano (Maryland), Bill Chickillo (Pennsylvania), Jennifer Davies (Branford), Nancy Diessner (Massachusetts), Anne Doris-Eisner (New Haven), John Earle (Massachusetts), Daniel Eugene (New Haven), Rachel Hellerich (New Haven), Graham D. Honaker II (Hamden), Eric March (New Haven), Olivia Martsen (New Haven), Dana Osborne (Middlebury), Ava Orphanoudakis (Guilford), DeAnn Prosia (Newtown), Ann Louise Schnepf (Milford), Scott Schnepf (Maine), Gordon Skinner (New Haven), and Sarah Sorenson (Branford).

Founded in 2003, Kehler Liddell Gallery has grown to represent some of Connecticut’s highest achieving mid-career and emerging artists in a full range of media, from painting, printmaking and works on paper, to photography and sculpture. The Gallery is dedicated to representing critical perspectives that challenge and illuminate our culture and enrich our aesthetic experience, and is committed to establishing New Haven as an important center of arts and culture. Its programs revel in the excitement of cross discipline collaborations—including projects with musicians, theatre troupes, filmmakers, authors, dancers, creative entrepreneurs, and events like the Westville ArtWalk.

Please join the Kehler Liddell Gallery for these upcoming shows:

September 10 – October11: Fethi Meghelli, North Gallery One Person Show: Sven Martson
October 15 – November 15: Keith Johnson and Amy Browning
November 19 – December 20: Group Show

Kehler Liddell Gallery is located at 873 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Gallery hours are Thursday through Friday from 11:00am – 4:00pm: Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am – 4:00pm. It is free and open to the public. For more information, visit our website, www.kehlerliddell.com, or call 203-389-9555.