Gallery announces first show of 2024 – Selfie. Opening reception Saturday, Jan. 6

Selfie • Jan. 6 – Feb. 3, 2024 • Opening Reception Jan. 6, 2 – 4 p.m.

According to gallery director Samantha Spalti, Sunset River Gallery announces its first show of 2024, Selfie, a juried group show featuring a range of art works inspired by the concept of “selfie.” The opening reception is set for Saturday, Jan. 6 from 2 – 4 p.m. The show runs from Jan. 6 through Feb. 3.

Spalti said, “We thought it would be fun and interesting to explore the psychology of selfies, so we’ve invited regional artists to open up and show us their true selves – at a given moment.

“I think a selfie is ‘in the moment,’ a representation of where the artist is at that moment rather than a formal portrait. I’m finding that people are taking the idea of ‘selfie’ in different directions, and I love that!”

The show features 25+ works in a range of media including photography, mixed media, acrylic, and more. Spalti adds, “Some are straight forward, and others are more contemplative.

A mixed media piece by Susan Barnard began as a traditional selfie. The viewer can see that by the angle of the faces. Titled Silver Foxes, the original photo of the artist and her husband was taken in front of building graffiti in Michigan. Decoupage and silver ink complete the piece which is installed on wood.

Judi Moore’s acrylic painting is titled Don’t Let Your Worries. She says, “I heard the phrase ‘Don’t let your worries make a nest in your head’ years ago. It has been in the back of my mind ever since. Recently I’ve been painting many birds and nests. This Selfie painting idea occurred when the two ideas collided.”

The diverse nature of the work in the exhibit reflects the humor, talent, and conceptual excitement of the participating artists. The gallery invites the public to visit the during the Selfie show and enjoy the sheer creativity on display.

About Sunset River Gallery

Located in coastal Brunswick County, NC, Sunset River Gallery caters to both area visitors and a growing local community of full-time residents seeking fine art for their homes and businesses. Featuring works by over 100 fine regional artists including Betty Anglin Smith, Marcus McClanahan, and Pat Puckett, among others, the gallery is well known in the area for its selection of oil paintings; watermedia; pastels; photography; hand-blown, stained, and fused glass; pottery and clay sculpture; turned and carved wood; unique home décor items; and artisan jewelry.

There are two onsite kilns and five wheels used by the gallery’s pottery students. The gallery also offers ongoing oil/acrylic and watercolor classes as well as workshops by nationally known instructors.

The gallery’s carefully curated selection of investment-grade 20^th century fine art is the largest in the Carolinas. Current inventory can be found on the gallery website’s 20^th Century Artists section. It includes works by Wolf Kahn (1927-2020), Ed Mell (1942), Raimonds Staprans (1926), Angell Botello (1913-1986),  Vladimir Cora (1951), Hunt Slonam (1951), Ginny Crouch Stanford, two bronze sculptures by Milton Hebald (1930 – 2010) and a life-size bronze by Edward McCartan (1879-1947).

Photo IDs:

Featured art detail, Rachel Jones, selfie in the style of alice neel,

Artist Judi Moore, Don’t Let Your Worries, acrylic, 14×11 on canvas.

Artist Susan Barnard, Silver Foxes, mixed media, 11×11 on wood.

Artist Donald Kratt, Dominant Eye, photography, 20 x 17 silver gelatin print.

Sunset River Gallery