Three-Artist Exhibition featuring paintings, ceramics and metalworks by Letts, Marino and Muir that capture the imagination and investigate the pursuit of knowledge.
Free Public Opening Reception
Friday, October 8, from 6 – 9 p.m.
Three artists, one quest: the transformative nature of art.
20 North Gallery is proud to announce The Alchemist’s Dream: Letts, Marino and Muir, a new exhibition of work by three distinguished regional artists. The exhibit features the work of Michigan painter K.A. Letts and Ohio artists, ceramicist Tom Marino and metalsmith Tom Muir, exploring the common theme of transformation.
The bold, acrylic gesso on paper paintings by K.A. Letts reimagine myths and legends, studying the art and fluidity of storytelling. Her technique synthesizes elements of painting styles from throughout world art history, from aboriginal art and the early 20th century European masters, to street art. In the vibrant ceramic with metallic silver artworks by Tom Marino, the artist examines the transformational quest for enlightenment. Marino makes connections between personal or historical explorations in alchemy, discovery and modern science’s pursuit of knowledge. The intricate, curious metal hollowware works of Tom Muir connect man and nature, often calling upon familiar forms from history and imbuing them with ambiguity and tension through their newly transformed, organic shapes. His metamorphosed metal and mixed media pieces react to relevant social, psychological, ecological and technological topics.
20 North Gallery and the artists will be welcoming friends and collectors at the free, public opening reception on Friday, October 8, from 6 – 9 p.m. The event will feature a free, light tapas buffet and cash bar by Venue.
We are working to keep you safe—Please wear a mask in the gallery regardless of vaccination status. We kindly request that individuals who feel unwell/are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 remain at home. At the reception, our event capacity limits will be observed.
This exhibit continues through December 24, 2021.
K.A. Letts (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Trained in set and costume design, K.A. Letts received her B.A. from Barnard College (New York, New York) and her M.F.A. from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University (formerly the Yale School of Drama) in New Haven, Connecticut. She is an Alumna of the National Artists Program at A.I.R. Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. Letts has exhibited in numerous venues nationwide such as at Scarab Club (Detroit, Michigan), Playground Detroit (Michigan), Motor Row Gallery (Chicago Illinois), Firecat Projects (Chicago, Illinois), Hyde Park Art Center (Chicago, Illinois) University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan) as well as at Non-Fiction Gallery (Savannah, Georgia). Additionally, her work was included in the 2014-2015 95th Annual Area Artists Exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art (Ohio), where she received the Purchase Award. In 2020, she enjoyed a solo exhibition, Anthropocene, at River House Arts (Toledo, Ohio). Her work forms a part of the permanent, public collection of Toledo Federation of Art Societies.
Tom Marino (Toledo, Ohio)
Tom Marino holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Michigan Technological University (Houghton), where he also pursued graduate work. He is a longtime member and former President of the Toledo Potters’ Guild. Marino’s award-winning work is included in many permanent museum collections including the Canton Museum of Art (Ohio), the Crocker Museum of Art (Sacramento, California), the American Museum of Ceramic Art (Pomona, California), the Zanesville Museum of Art (Ohio), the Block Museum (Evanston, Illinois), the Midwest Museum of American Art (Elkhart, Indiana), as well as the permanent collection of Ceramics Monthly (Westerville, Ohio). He has exhibited annually since 1980 in the juried Crosby Festival of the Arts at Toledo Botanical Garden (Ohio). He exhibits nationally and internationally in venues such as the Ohio Designer Craftsmen Best Of at the Ohio Craft Museum (Columbus) and SOFA Chicago (Illinois). In 2016 he enjoyed a solo exhibit at Zanesville Museum of Art and, in 2017, exhibited at the 11th International Ceramics Competition (Mino, Japan), before being shortlisted for a touring exhibition by that museum.
Tom Muir (Bowling Green, Ohio)
Tom Muir received his M.F.A. from Indiana University (Bloomington) and his B.F.A. from Georgia State University (Atlanta). He is a Distinguished Research Professor at Bowling Green State University (Ohio), where he is head of the Jewelry and Metalsmithing area in the School of Art. He currently serves on the executive committee of the International Jewelry College Association as the representative of the Americas. His award-winning work has been published extensively and included in over 500 national and international exhibitions. Muir’s collections include the Toledo Museum of Art (Ohio); Art Institute of Chicago (Illinois); Renwick Gallery of the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution and The White House Collection of American Crafts, National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.). The recipient of numerous fellowships bestowed by Arts Midwest/National Endowment for the Arts, Michigan Council for the Arts and Ohio Arts Council, in 2009, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Ohio Designer Craftsmen for having made a major contribution to craft in Ohio.
For purchase inquiries, please contact 20 North Gallery: 419-241-2400 or info@20northgallery.com