The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is pleased to exhibit the collaborative exhibit, ”All of the Tree,” featuring a combination of works by Stephen Kolpacke and Jennifer Lanzilotti from January 3 – 30, 2019. A special artists’ reception and meet & greet will be held on Wednesday, January 8, from 7-9 p.m. at The Village Theater, that is free and open to the public.
Featured artist Stephen Kolpacke’s art is woodturning in various species of wood and an array of shapes and textures. According to Kolpacke, “The objects I use are influenced by aspects of nature which are highlighted by the color selections, the flow of wood grain and use of natural voids and empty spaces.”
Kolpacke’s background is a mixture of technical, craft and nature. As an engineer by training and practice, Kolpacke is a longtime furniture maker and outdoor enthusiast with a passion for hiking. These three areas came together about six years ago for him in the art of woodturning. His primary technique is to let the features and characteristics of the wood determine the final shape of the object—the process accomplished using a lathe with an array of tools used to shape, texture and finish the wood.
Featured artist Jennifer Lanzilotti believes that there is something rather nostalgic about a fallen leaf. According to Lanzilotti, “The season over, it waits silently for its return to earth. But to this artist’s eye, it is a beautiful canvas waiting to be reborn. Gathering, drying and pressing them, I see leaves as my most heartfelt form of artistic expression.”
After graduating from Madonna University with a Bachelor’s degree, Lanzilotti began her career as a social worker. Eventually, she opted to remain at home to raise her two daughters. During those incredibly busy years, attending to the myriad duties of parenthood, running a household, and being a “hockey mom” to both daughters, Lanzilotti’s creativity began to soar. She authored several Young Adult novels, sold pre-made scrapbooks, and discovered a knack for repurposing furniture. She then ventured into painting murals.
Using blank walls as her canvas, s painted stone, birch trees, and walls to look like pallet wood. A painting so real it required a touch to see if it were actual wood. Soon people began to commission her. She painted on wood, rocks, bottles, and even a snowboard. But it was her leaf paintings that most stunned and engaged the interest of an ever-increasing audience. Taking art classes, she grew in her ability to create the details of these small canvases, capturing the glow of a winter moon, a purple haze of sky, the rhythm of a river, and the cathedral-like beauty of the forest. It wasn’t long before her leaves were chosen for the Detroit Artist’s Ball and other local arts and crafts shows.
This latest art exhibit at the Gallery@VT is free and open to the public: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., one hour prior to and during public performances at the theater, as well as by appointment. The Gallery@VT is closed on holidays. The gallery is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Rd., Canton, MI, 48187. For more information about this latest exhibit, please call 734/394-5300 or visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org