First Exhibit of 2019 at James May Gallery

“Trumpet” by Brighton Smith

The first exhibit of the year at James May Gallery features the paintings by Brighton Smith and ceramics by Craig Clifford and Debbie Kupinsky. An opening reception will be held Jan. 4, 5:30-8 pm; and Jan. 5, 10 am – 5 pm. The exhibit runs through Feb. 23.

Smith grew up in Southern California, studying drawing and painting from an early age. He earned his B.A. in studio art and art history from Pepperdine University in 2013. Smith began floral and botanical painting in 2010 with exotic flowers. He moved to Arizona in 2013 with his wife and has learned to appreciate the desert landscape and flowers.

Clifford is a ceramicist who exhibits his work nationally and internationally. He has taught ceramics and art at California State University Long Beach, University of Southern California and Mississippi Valley State University, and he is currently the head of the ceramics program at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. For the James May exhibit, he has worked collaboratively with fellow ceramicist Debbie Kupinsky.

Kupinsky said of her work, “Ordinary objects like flowers, teacups, bottles and toys are some of the subjects and images within my work that come together to create larger, open narrative …. My goal is to create a visually playful experience where meaning and narrative are created with each individual experience. The works are meant to show themselves in layers of information that take time to reveal themselves to the viewer.”

James May Gallery, located at 213 Steele St. in Algoma, is open 10 am – 5 pm Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit jamesmaygallery.com.