Exhibition Dates: January 5 – February 16, 2013
Opening Reception Date: Saturday, January 5 2013, 4 - 7 PM 6, 2013
Atlantic Center for the Arts opens its new alt_space gallery with an intriguing exhibition by celebrated South Florida Artist Anja Marais. In this exciting body of work entitled “The Guide”, Marais exceptionally combines sculpture, photography, installation and film to create images that takes the viewer on a journey between worlds, that of external reality and the inner psyche.
In 2012, Atlantic Center for the Arts reformatted its Community Arts Program for the first time since its inception. The existing Harris House Gallery and the house itself were transformed into a 4-month long, twice-yearly Community Artist-in-Residence site. This change created the need for a new location to focus on exhibiting the work of exceptional Florida Artists, leading to the creation of the alt_space gallery within the adjacent Arts on Douglas Gallery, a thriving commercial gallery since 1996.
“ACA is excited about this new venue and the prospect of bringing new audiences and collectors to view work in a dynamic space.” says Jim Frost, Atlantic Center for the Arts Co-Director, “For 20 years Atlantic Center for the Arts Harris House gallery has given Florida Artists an opportunity to exhibit in a professional space. The alt_space continues this tradition by proving an exhibit space housed in an existing premiere gallery; giving artists greater exposure in which to explore traditional exhibitions, as well as installations and emerging environments.”
On the new hanging space located within the exciting Arts on Douglas Gallery, Meghan Martin, Atlantic Center for the Arts Community Arts and Exhibition Director said, “The creation of this new exhibition space is an exciting endeavor for Atlantic Center for the Arts. The alt_space gallery, short for alternative, will feature Florida artists working in the genres of installation, emerging media and other non-traditional art forms.”
Anja Marais was born in a small town in the savanna of South Africa. Her childhood was spent nestled inside the cottoned, pseudo-utopia of a segregated society. Seeking to pierce the elusive truth of a land operating ‘under the rose,’ she turned towards art to shed light on the shadows of humanity and herself. After graduating with a B.F.A from the University of South Africa in Pretoria, she moved to the United States. Her work has since been included in solo and group exhibitions internationally. Marais has held residencies in Japan, including a Mino Paper Art Residency where she studied ancient techniques from Master paper makers; and the Seoul Art Space Geumcheon Residency in Korea. She has been selected and participated in various, esteemed programs such as the Creative Capital Professional Development Program and the Enrique Martinez Celaya Summer Workshop (in affiliation with the Anderson Ranch Art Center). She is also the recipient of the Florida Individual Artist Grant 2010 and won the People’s Choice Award from Sculpture Key West in 2009. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including: Florida International Magazine, Art in America, and ARTnews.
“Anja’s work in interdisciplinary – including sculpture, video and photography – all surrounding a central theme. Her show is a perfect fit for the direction of the space and I’m thrilled she is the featured artist for the inaugural show in the alt_space.” Meghan Martin, Atlantic Center for the Arts Community Arts and Exhibition Director.
The exhibition “The Guide” is free and open to the public with an opening reception on Saturday, January 5, 2013, 4-7 pm; the artist will be present for the reception. The exhibition will run through February 16, 2013. Atlantic Center’s new alt_space Gallery is located at 123 Douglas Street in New Smyrna Beach, FL. For details visit www.atlanticcenterforthearts.org or call 386.423.1753.
