An exhibition exploring the majesty of trees will open September 7 at YoloArts’ Gallery 625 in Woodland. Sentiment: In Admiration of Trees will feature the mixed media works of Portland artist Jennifer Kapnek. The exhibition runs through October 2.
Kapnek is a native of New York City and is now a resident of Portland, Oregon. Actively involved in the Portland art scene, she is the president of the Urban Art Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for local artists. The Urban Art Network has presented a street art gallery in the Pearl District on First Thursdays since 2000. Several times a year Kapnek visits northern California to visit friends and family, and explore. She has a personal goal of exhibiting outside of Portland at least once a year and became aware of YoloArts after applying for the Artful Plate several years ago, and more recently applying for a YoloArts gallery show.
Kapnek creates in her backyard studio, a converted shipping container. In her artist statement she describes her art.
“My work is purposefully uncomplicated. Acrylic on wood, primarily recycled. Simple trees in quiet, color drenched landscapes. I often introduce three dimensional elements, rough or broken edges and texture in my work. This body of work is the result of a natural progression. When I first began painting trees on wood, I was both excited, and uncertain if the simplicity of my aesthetic would resonate, but excitement led the way. It has been almost 20 years since I decided I would indulge in this pursuit as long as I loved what I was doing, and, I still do.”
Kapnek works with arborists to identify tree branches in this collection of her artwork, “marrying tree branches to serene, color drenched fields” and returning verified branches to “their former selves.”
The opening reception, hosted by YoloArts’ board member Matt Lane, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, September 7, during the downtown Woodland First Friday Art Walk. Music will be provided by Four Sax Only, a sax quartet playing jazz, pop and classical music with members Tom Hudspeth, Megan Spurlock, Ken Taylor, and Jim Zimmerman. Representatives of the nonprofit Woodland Tree Foundation, will be on hand to promote their upcoming fundraiser, Tunes for Trees, to be held at the Gibson House on October 6. A leaf art activity for all ages will be available during the reception.
Sentiment: In Admiration of Trees runs September 7 – October 2. Gallery 625 is located at 625 Court St. in Woodland, in Yolo County’s Erwin Meier administration building and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by appointment. For more information, contact YoloArts at 530-309-6464.