Colorful metal bent and coaxed into whimsical shapes, wood trimmed and sanded into sinewy silhouettes, and clay pulled and twisted into beautiful objects: Despite their differences, they’re all forms of sculpture—and they’re all on display this summer at the Lompoc Museum.
From twisted metal to massaged clay, 30 very unique pieces of sculpture will be on display in the museum’s Centeno Gallery as part of a new exhibit, “A Sculptural Mélange.” The exhibit, by the Lompoc Sculptors Guild, provides a three-dimensional glimpse of the unique works members create.
“We thought this would be a fun way to have a three-dimensional exhibit that would be more engaging for patrons,” Museum Director Lisa Renken said.
She explained that the museum was host to its first sculpture show about four years ago, much to the surprise of museum visitors.
“A lot of people didn’t even know we had a sculptors guild,” Renken said. “We like to do big, historical pieces, but we also like to showcase our local art.”
Dee Frasher, a guild member showing work in the current exhibit, said the theme idea came from the fact that the guild can never adhere to a theme.
Frasher said the Sculptors Guild was excited about the opportunity to share their work, especially with the museum.
“The museum has been very receptive to us. We’re all very different in our techniques—some use aluminum, some use steel. Even those of us who use clay all have different techniques,” Frasher said.
The exhibit features work from Ron Barrows, Ann Brink, Ken Jorgensen, Peggy Kizziah, Noreen LaPointe, Carol Moore, Eric Morlan, and more. The artists work in a variety of materials including ceramics, clay, fiber, glass, gourd, metal, multi-media, stone, wire, and wood—all of which are represented in the current exhibit.
Frasher started her arts career as a painter working in oils and acrylics. In the 1970s, she, like many artists at the time, began exploring pottery.
“And I just continued doing it,” she said. “I like weaving wood and metal with my ceramics. I do more decorative baskets with weaving than pottery.”
Frasher said her pieces are inspired by whatever whimsy leads her to create, though she’s often inspired by her travels, other works of art, or Native American motifs.
The guild has been around since 1989, providing Lompoc-area sculptors with a forum for discussion, support, and creativity. Frasher said the value of the guild lies in its diversity. Members meet monthly to discuss new ideas, artistic trends, and innovative materials, but because sculpture is largely a solitary endeavor, the guild provides a valuable support system for its members.
“We’re just a group of Lompoc adults who like to still dabble in the arts,” Frasher said.
Renken said many of the pieces are new or on display for the first time: “It’s just really a fun exhibit.”
Arts Editor Shelly Cone is inspired by whimsy. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 7-14, 2012.
