Middletown Art Center hosts ‘Me, Myself & I,’ a self-portrait exhibit starting tonight, with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Lake County residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a juried show highlighting the investigation of self in many and varied forms.
The exhibit runs through Dec. 4. Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 State Hwy. 175 in Middletown.
Self-portraits have a long and illustrious tradition in art. Throughout much of their careers, Rembrandt and Van Gogh had only themselves as a model. Each artist struggled with mood, perception, color and angst to capture what was in that moment. However, a self-portrait can be more than surface representation. A self-portrait can be a glimpse into an aspect of the artist; an overriding philosophy of that artist; a nagging emotion, a glimpse of something unexpectedly discovered, an obsession. Certainly, traditional paintings are a very viable form, but MAC hopes to push the envelope of tradition by re-examining what a self-portrait is or can become.
As part of the art exhibit, the gallery’s interactive room invites you to draw your own self-portrait on mirrored walls. During the opening, Brian Ward will be on site with ‘The Mind Tree’ — An interactive sound sculpture that allows participants to manipulate and control the emotional mood of their sonic surroundings. Refreshments will be available to enjoy.
The Middletown Art Center is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting the arts and economic and community recovery in South Lake County after the 2015 fires. MAC is located at the junction of Highways 29 and 175 in Middletown and offers an array of memberships, child and adult art classes and performance opportunities. MAC is open Thursday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 12-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m. or by appointment. MAC accepts donations online at www.Middletownartcenter.org.
