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Modernisme Gallery will look at ‘American Landscape’

By Olivia Pool

The Modernisme Gallery in West Ashley will be featuring Charleston artist Seth Curcio in his first solo show, "American Landscape," with an opening from 6 to 9 p.m. today.

Gallery owner Kristy Cifuentes says the body of work "investigates contemporary American culture through iconic images from daily life. By manipulating imagery from economic, technological, political and cultural sources, Curcio constructs current societal icons saturated with double meaning and irony. Social optimism and social critique are explored equally as the artist investigates ideas of a collective cultural identity. Just as the American consciousness is saturated with a constant flow of images, Curcio deconstructs the familiarity of these images to reveal new meaning."

The exhibit will consist of several new paintings and digital prints on panel, as well as a fully constructed billboard within the gallery space.

"By employing the accessible materials of mass commerce, such as Xerox and laser copies, billboard wheat pasting, screen printing and enamel paints, Curcio is able to underscore commerce as the primary driving force in society," says Cifuentes.

A graduate of the College of Charleston and the director of the Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston, and the co-founder of DailyServing.com (a contemporary art resource Web site), Curcio is immersed in Charleston's art scene.

Modernisme, The Gallery at Avondale will host an opening reception for "American Landscape" tonight from 6 to 9. The exhibit will run through July 19 at the gallery.

For more information, call 763-1551, visit www.modernismegallery.com, or stop by the gallery at 21 Magnolia Road, at the crossroads of Highway 17 and Magnolia Road in Avondale Point.

'Totally CP'

Lowcountry Artists Ltd. is presenting the work of colored pencil artist Jackie Wukela in a show named "Totally CP (Colored Pencil)," which can be seen until June 30.

Wukela has been a working artist for nearly 30 years, exploring various media, but during the last few years her works have had an emphasis on colored pencil.

"Certainly new to South Carolina and Charleston, pencil is an unfamiliar medium for so many people," says Wukela.

"For the artist, however, it is portable and extremely versatile and rewarding. For the collector, these pieces offer a new look and feel."

Traditional work in colored pencil can be very realistic, and Wukela's pencil drawings are finely drawn, often nearly photo realistic. Her drawings exhibit strong colors with fine textures, featuring florals and still-lifes.

The skin tones of her figures are especially rich and almost soft to the touch.

"These pieces take a long time and are painstakingly done," says Wukela. Often overlooked, the colored pencil can create truly beautiful works of art.

There is even an established association that aims to prove that point. The Colored Pencil Society of America strives to inform the public that pencils are not just for coloring in the nation's states on elementary school maps, but are a legitimate art medium.

In 2004, the society granted Wukela its highest honor when her "Nassau Lady VIII" won the Society's International Competition.

Another of the "Nassau Lady" series won an international award in 2007. "Nassau Ladies XVI and XVII," a new phase of the "Lady" series, will debut during the the "Totally CP" show.

Lowcountry Artists Ltd. will host a reception for Wukela and fellow artist, Joni Purk, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at 148 East Bay St.

Purk's exhibit, "Discovering the Carolinas: Through the Artist's Eyes," has been on display throughout June.

For more information, contact the Lowcountry Artists Ltd. Gallery at 577-9295.

Celebrate the 'North'

This year marks the city of North Charleston's 35th anniversary, which the city will be celebrating in conjunction with its annual Fourth of July celebration. The event will be take place at the North Charleston Riverfront Park at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The event will begin with remarks by city of North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey, followed by other city dignitaries.

At 3:15 p.m., the music begins. A variety of bands will play throughout the afternoon, ending with popular country music singer Lee Greenwood, and fireworks over the Cooper River.

The event offers a great opportunity to view the 2007 National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, while celebrating the Fourth of July in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

New additions to Riverfront Park include a boardwalk, picnic area and a meadow.

Call 745-1087 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

The park is located at 1001 Everglades Drive.

For information, call 745-1087, or e-mail culturalarts@northcharleston.org.

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