Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on March 18, 2021.

The yearly New Voices Exhibit at Floyd Center for the Arts’ Hayloft Gallery features emerging artists who were referred by local university professors and master artists. This year the works of eleven artists are being shown from February 13 to April 3. Although there was no opening reception, due to COVID-19, in-person viewing can be done during Center hours, Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.  Virtual tours and video-taped artists’ statement can be accessed through the Center’s webpage floydartcenter.org

Zach Blevins-Goad from Christiansburg was referred to the Center by Stuart Robinson, an art instructor at Radford University, where Blevins-Goad is working towards his 2022 BFA.  Blevins-Goad’s nature sculptures with humanoid features are inspired by his imaginations as a child, the exhibit brochure reads. One piece titled “Frida” was made with acrylic paint, hot glue, floral wire, clay and recycled organic material.

Mikayla Spivey from Virginia Beach was referred by Jennifer hand, Instructor in the School of Visual Arts at Virginia Tech. Spivey incorporates scrapbooking, sewing and embroidery into her layered collage pieces.  Other New Voices artists include Noah Bower, Bobbie Daniels, Alexandra Leonetti, Isabella Linkous, Kevin Wayne Meredith, Charlotte Middleton, Jack Miles, Alejandra Moral and Brittiany Rorrer.

Next up at the FCA is “Paper – an Enduring Medium,” curated by the Center’s Distinguished Artist of the Year, Gibby Waitzkin and shown in the Hayloft Gallery from April 10 – June 5.  FCA’s executive director, Becky Lattuca, said that due to COVID there will not be an opening reception, but the Center is hoping to host a closing ceremony, incorporating outdoor and indoor spaces and an outside demonstration on making paper from plant materials with Waitzkin.

_________Our World Tuesday