What you see ‘on the surface’ —the visual tactile quality of artwork is a hint at the magic that lies beneath the work both real and imagined. 

In our winter show, an eclectic group of fine contemporary artists—painters, sculptors, glass artists, fibre artists and ceramicists express their vision by skillfully using texture. 

On the surface, the series of striking black abstracts by Pat Service look like they were painted on velvet. On the surface, the Matter Series of unique flocked wall reliefs by sculptor Shayne Dark appear to resemble suede. On the surface, the finish of John Paul Robinson’s elegant glasswork is polished to be perfectly shiny and smooth. All three artists, using different mediums, are playing with texture. Is the depicted object smooth, rough, velvety soft or glossy? 

Texture—how a piece of art actually feels to the touch or appears to feel can spark the imagination of the viewer. Texture brings the subject to life. It can evoke a feeling. It can add depth, energy, and dimension. Texture helps tell the artist's story for each piece.