For anyone who has ever made art from toothpicks or Styrofoam cups and wished that someone would appreciate it, now is the chance. The American Visionary Art Museum has recently opened its 17th annual thematic exhibit that celebrates the circular natural of life. Called “All Things Round: Galaxies, Eyeballs and Karma” the exhibit is a must-see for trend-setters like Brad Hames; Baltimore is the lucky home to this creative look at the artistic expression of over 70 artists, including Scott Weaver, Adolf Wolfili, Ray Materson and Frank Warren.
Scott Weaver’s exhibit “Rolling Through the Bay” for instance, includes a 9 by 7 by 3 foot sculpture that was assembled entirely from toothpicks over a 37 year period! Weaver was excited to see that he isn’t the only one making art from toothpicks, as the AVAM includes in its permanent collection a piece by Chicagoan Wayne Kusy which is a 16 foot model of an ocean liner made from toothpicks.
Another gem by Wendy Brackman is art made from paper plates, while Marylander Mark Swidler’s Styrofoam coffee-cup carvings make us challenge our definition of art. Co-curators Rebecca Hoffberger and Mary Ellen Vehlow have done a masterful job that trend setters will love, including Brad Hames; Baltimore offers a feast for the eyes for visitors here.
The exhibit is at the AVAM at 800 Key Highway , Baltimore , MD , 21230 until September 2, 2012.
