A brand-new feast of wildly imaginative assemblage art is arriving in the Corner Gallery’s front windows as artists Spencer Brewer and Esther Siegel present “Casing the Joint,” a never-before-seen collection of original works created by local participants from their popular Harmony Gaits Outta the Box Assemblage Camps.
“Each piece in the show began the same way — with a pile of mysterious, unrelated objects,” explains Brewer. He continues, “Inside our barn studio at Harmony Gaits, shelves are stacked to the rafters with an astonishing collection of odds and ends gathered over decades: fragments of grand pianos, antique hardware, doll parts, clockworks, vintage goodies, jewelry, ephemera, and countless curious treasures whose original purpose has long been forgotten. Camp participants are invited to dig in and let their imagination run free, assembling these relics into something entirely new.”
The results? Unexpected. Emotional. Whimsical. Provocative. And often jaw-dropping. “This has been an amazing, eye-opening, empowering experience,” shared one recent camper. “It’s enabled me to truly think outta the box while creating my piece.” Another participant chimed in, “I love the potential of art being made out of just about anything!” Even those who don’t consider themselves artists have found themselves surprised. “I didn’t think art was accessible to me,” admitted a first-time camper. “But this is really accessible, and fun. I didn’t realize how time would just disappear while I was creating.”
Throughout the month, visitors can view this eclectic showcase of inventive works, each by a different local artist discovering what’s possible when creativity meets curiosity. “Come see what can happen when forgotten objects are given a second life… and imagination takes over,” invites Esther Siegel.
The First Friday Opening Reception for all of the above shows takes place March 6th from 5–8pm at the Corner Gallery, located at 201 South State Street in Ukiah. Live guitar music will be presented throughout the evening by Steve Winkle. The shows will continue for the whole month of March, with regular gallery hours on Tuesday through Saturday between 11am and 5pm.
