ARTFUL LIVING: The Painters of Maker + Muse

On Display: November 30-January 21
Opening Reception: November 30 from 6-8:30PM

ARTFUL LIVING: The Painters of Maker + Muse seamlessly blends the world of visual art with the realms of home and everyday living.  This unique showcase is expertly curated by Brian Dittmar, an award-winning interior designer and the visionary behind Maker + Muse, a lifestyle boutique in Maplewood. Dittmar’s discerning eye for aesthetics and passion for art have resulted in an unparalleled fusion of creativity and functionality.

Featuring the work of the five local artists represented by Maker + Muse, this exhibit will challenge the notion that art is exclusive to galleries and museums. Instead, it asserts that art has a rightful place in our homes and supplies inspiration for curating your own personal art collection. The artworks on display span various mediums and themes within the abstract style, catering to every taste and preference.

Visitors can explore Lisa Pressman‘s latest series, which incorporates a variety of mediums and grounds and is then dug into with razor blades and clay tools to create an evocative form and pattern. They can marvel at Aida Jones‘ layered abstract paintings that mix bold, bright, modern colors with smooth and rough textured shapes. Or find intrigue in the energetic works by Aimee Mower-Lally, featuring geometric shapes and dynamic colors. Dorothy Ganek‘s complex compositions of recognizable objects with sweeping abstract movement are also on display, as well as Betsy Meyer-Donadio‘s mixed-media collages, which feature multiple layers of vintage paper, fabric, acrylic paint, and plaster.

ARTFUL LIVING offers something for everyone, regardless of their artistic inclinations. Without a doubt, this assemblage will inspire new ways to embrace the concept of ‘living with art.’

If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact Linda Beard at (973) 382-1035 or lindab@sopacnow.org.

To preview the exhibition, click HERE.

 

About Curator Brian Dittmar

Before bringing his creative vision to Maplewood in 2018, he led Brian Dittmar Design, a renowned design studio in San Francisco that provided services for interior and exterior spaces. From classic to modern elements, Brian focused on crafting timeless, livable environments influenced by his long-time passion for art and architecture. From a young age, he honed his interest in — and love for — classical furniture by exploring the world-renowned Winterthur Museum near his childhood home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Brian was a participating designer in three San Francisco Decorator Showcase homes. He has appeared on HGTV’s Curb Appeal, and his work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, California Home + Design, HGTV magazine, House Beautiful, Delaware Today, Gentry Design, and Romantic Homes magazines. Formerly a graphic designer, he has also worked for clients including Stanford University, Chronicle Books, and Lincoln Center.

He currently lives in Maplewood with his partner and their pug, whose constant fur-shedding has become Brian’s most challenging design-around.

 

Pictured above (from left to right): Yellow Moon by Aimee Mower-Lally, Many Eclipse by Aida Jones, Portal 1 and Portal 3 by Betsy Meyer-Donadio, Morning Walk by Dorothy Ganek, Things That Were Not Said by Lisa Pressman

 

Check out our tentative schedule of upcoming exhibitions in The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery, located on the second and third floors of SOPAC.

FALL 2023

FULL CIRCLE

SEPTEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 19

Opening Reception: September 14 from 5-8PM

FULL CIRCLE, by Ben Niles, is a mesmerizing exhibition that captures the convergence of graphic design and painting. Showcasing a remarkable fusion of acrylic, ink, and graphite, skillfully intertwined with the techinique of screen printing, this is celebration of creativity and the interconnectedness of diverse art forms.  FULL CIRCLE serves as a poignant tribute to Niles’ family’s artistic legacy, as well as his own personal artistic journey. This spellbinding merger of graphic design and painting represents the culmination of his education and experiences, bringing together the skills and inspirations he acquired throughout his career. This exhibition is a testament to the power of artistic exploration and the profound impact it can have on both the artist and the viewer.

 

WINTER 2023

ARTFUL LIVING: The Painters of Maker + Muse

NOVEMBER 30 – JANUARY21

Opening Reception: November 30 from 6 to 8:30PM

ARTFUL LIVING: The Painters of Maker + Muse seamlessly blends the world of visual art with the realms of home and everyday living.  this unique showcase is expertly curated by Brian Dittmar, an award-winning interior designer and the visionary behind Maker + Muse, a lifestyle boutique in Maplewood. Dittmar’s discerning eye for aesthetics and passion for art have resulted in an unparalleled fusion of creativity and functionality.

Visitors can explore Lisa Pressman‘s latest series, which incorporates a variety of mediums and grounds and is then dug into with razor blades and clay tools to create an evocative form and pattern. They can marvel at Aida Jones‘ layered abstract paintings that mix bold, bright, modern colors with smooth and rough textured shapes. Or find intrigue in the energetic works by Aimee Mower-Lally, featuring geometric shapes and dynamic colors. Dorothy Ganek‘s complex compositions of recognizable objects with sweeping abstract movement are also on display, as well as Betsy Meyer-Donadio‘s mixed-media collages, which feature multiple layers of vintage paper, fabric, acrylic paint, and plaster.