West Gallery

January - December 30, 2025

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Curators Statement:

“Even in stillness, there is movement.” – Anonymous

 

Visitors can embark on an artistic odyssey with "Harmonizing Dimensions," a curated collection delving into the intricate interplay of motion, time, and rhythm. This transformative exploration shapes and defines the creative landscape, leaving an enduring imprint on the ever-evolving art world.

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As we navigate the swift tapestry of the 21st century, our understanding of motion, time, and rhythm in art undergoes a profound transformation. Technological advancements and global connectivity dissolve traditional boundaries, providing artists with new realms to explore.

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Step into this odyssey at the Blanden, where artworks come alive dynamically, transcending conventional expressions. Let the masterpieces converge in your mind, facilitating a harmonious dialogue between motion, time, and rhythm. Across diverse mediums, artists showcase how movement breathes life into their works, time influences narratives, and rhythm orchestrates unique artistic experiences.

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Working in varied mediums, these artists share a profound grasp of the interplay among fundamental forces. Witness how motion is captured in brushstrokes, time in sculpture, and rhythm in the arrangement of forms and colors. The exhibition encourages an exploration of the dynamic relationship between the static and kinetic, tangible, and ephemeral, finite, and infinite – offering profound insights into the role of motion, time, and rhythm in shaping artistic expression.

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"Harmonizing Dimensions" invites you on a transformative journey where motion, time, and rhythm converge, unlocking uncharted realms of artistic expression. Celebrate the visionary contributions of artists worldwide as they entice us to delve into the profound mysteries within these elemental dimensions.

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May this exhibition inspire you to embrace the ever-shifting dynamics of life, fostering a deeper appreciation for the interconnected dance of motion, time, and rhythm in the realm of art.

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East Gallery

May 3 - July 19, 2025

Artist Reception: July 19, 2-4:30pm

 

Artist Statement:

Portraits have always had a powerful grasp on my imagination. It is the idea of duration - or earthly immortality - that gives such a mysterious interest to the painted portrait. Studying the history of portraiture techniques has allowed me the ability to begin to integrate those concepts into relevant contemporary narratives.

My son Henry's diagnosis has been the motivation behind my series of portraits "Many Faces of Neurofibromatosis (NF)". Through this series of paintings, I am the conduit, transforming genetic complications into something secondary and portraying the individual personalities first. Using social media as a connection, I hope to raise funds, educate, and ideally find a cure for NF.

 

Each person painted has collaborated on his or her painting to be depicted in a way that suits them.  They’ve also written their own biographies deciding what to share with the public. 

 

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BIO:

Rachel Mindrup is an associate professor of drawing and painting and the Richard L. Deming, MD Endowed Chair in Medical Humanities at Creighton University. She received her BFA from the University of Nebraska - Kearney and then continued with atelier studies at the Art Academy of Los Angeles. She received her MFA from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. Her current painting practice is about the study of the figure and portraiture in art and its relation to medicine, healing and identity. Her son's diagnosis has been the motivation behind her series of portraits "Many Faces of Neurofibromatosis (NF)". She is currently painting someone with NF from all 50 states to bring to Washington D.C. when advocating for federal funding for NF-research.

Mindrup's work has been shown nationally and internationally including the Queens Museum in Queens, NY, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney campuses, Georgia Regents University, Vanderbilt University and Washington University Medical School. Her artwork is held in many private collections including those of Primatologist Jane Goodall and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Second Floor Gallery

July 12 - Aug 30, 2025

 

Juror Statement:

I commend all the artists who applied to be a part of this exhibition. I was not only impressed by the quality, creativity, and skill of all the submissions, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the process of selecting the 24 works included in the exhibition. 

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When jurying an exhibition like this, I don’t follow a specific process for selecting work; I rely on my experiences as an artist and look for works that stand out to me. I take an initial look at all the entries, noting works that strike me, and begin to compile a list.  Then I take a second look at each submission to identify details and nuances in the artworks, further narrowing the pool. I don’t try to adhere to a specific theme, ensuring that the exhibition represents a wide range of artistic visions.

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Artistic skills, ambition, intent, quality, and execution were all taken into consideration. Each work elicits a different response in me, where the boldness of a color may strike me. In contrast, another may draw me in with whimsy or with delicate subtleties of line quality. I was also intrigued by artworks that featured a captivating composition or a dynamic perspective. In contrast, others pulled me in with supple textures or brush strokes. In other cases, it was an emotionally charged moment captured in ink or on film. In contrast, other artworks offered a fascinating view into the artists’ commentary on contemporary times.

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The variety of submissions allowed me to include a wide range of artistic voices and approaches to artmaking. This diversity is a testament to the richness of the artistic community, and it was a distinct pleasure to see the various ways these artists perceive and interpret our world.

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I encourage viewers to engage with this collection of high-quality artworks. Take your time to appreciate the variety of approaches to artmaking, and you might just discover some commonalities that resonate with you.

 

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Juror, Dan Perry BIO:

Dan Perry is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist based in Waterloo, Iowa who works in a variety of media from gallery-sized sculptures to monumental public artworks. He maintains a robust studio practice, exhibiting in museums and arts centers across the United States in over 50 group exhibitions as well as 10 solo shows. Dan has also completed 15 large-scale public sculpture commissions throughout the region.

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Dan works to educate the public on the importance of the arts and how communities can integrate arts in meaningful ways. He provides a unique perspective drawing from his experiences as a practicing professional public artist, an active member of public art committees and as a teacher.

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Currently, Dan teaches sculpture and is the Coordinator of the Public Art Incubator (PAI) at the University of Northern Iowa, a unique program where students can engage with professional artists in the production of their commissioned public art projects. Students are hired to assist in the fabrication of the artwork and work alongside professional artists, providing a professional experience before they graduate.