Art show will precede Saturday's symphony concert at Downey Theatre
Sean P. Roach will be the featured artist at an art show Saturday evening at the Downey Theatre. The art show precedes a performance by the Downey Symphony.
DOWNEY – Downey’s art explosion continues Saturday at the Downey Theatre when the Downey Arts Coalition stages an exhibit, “Wonder,” featuring local artists.
The show adds an extra dimension to the concert by the Downey Symphony Orchestra, which includes a world premiere by local composer Lars Clutterham, as well as Mozart’s great symphony no. 40 and Prokofiev’s ingenious and delightful music for the Russian folk tale “Peter and the Wolf.”
“Art and music are a great way to bring the community together to share in a unique experience of creativity,” said Pat Gil, president of the Downey Arts Coalition and a board member for the Downey Symphonic Society.
More than 20 artists’ works will be on display. The featured artist is Sean P. Roach. His creations blur the line between painting and sculpture, using different materials to present colorful geometric patterns that engage the eye and play tricks on the mind, celebrating the amazing possibilities of sight itself.
Examples are on his website seanproach.com.
Returning artists include well known favorites like Carolina Estrada del Toro, who creates stunning photographs, and her husband Jorge del Toro, whose sculptures are powerful and often witty or even whimsical as well. Lindsay Yost returns with two pieces, “Unlock Joy” and “Handbook for the Recently Deceased,” unique mosaics crafted from broken pieces of ceramics.
Beto Reyes shows three fascinating papier-mâché dragons with lights inside.
Some titles are particularly intriguing, such as Amelie Simmons’ “Whale in Space” and “Eyestein” or Irina Karkov’s “Eva is Inside her Cat” or Eurka Wells’ “Ravaged Nigeria.”
New artists include Charles Osawa, whose “Thrasher” uses recycled materials and epoxy resins to create unique and raw works that defy verbal description.
Art and music come together to make a powerful experience for concertgoers. Music “puts us in a positive state of mind, allowing inspiration to flow through and create art,” says photographer Carolina del Toro. Almost all the artists will be standing by their artwork, and nothing pleases an artist more than talking with viewers, answering questions about their work and their creative process.
“Artists love to hear from the audience,” Carolina added. “You don’t need special training to appreciate art, and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with a local artist.”
Most of the works are for sale at affordable prices.
The Downey Theatre’s doors open at 6:30 pm so that patrons can enjoy the art at leisure before the concert begins at 8 pm, while also leaving plenty of time for the free pre-concert talk at 7:15 pm by composer Lars Clutterham.