Behind the Studio Door | Curated by Louis Copt and Clive Fullagar

Portraiture is one of the oldest and most enduring forms of artistic expression. Its history dates back to ancient civilizations, where the earliest portraits were created to honor and immortalize the powerful and the divine. Throughout its history, portraiture has been a powerful tool for personal expression, social commentary, and historical documentation. It remains a vital and dynamic art form, reflecting the ever-changing landscapes of culture, identity, and human experience. Today, portraiture continues to evolve, embracing digital technologies and new media while maintaining its core purpose: to explore and express the human condition.

The portraits in this exhibition are deeply personal, depicting either the artists themselves or those close to them. They are introspective reflections on the relationship between themselves and their subjects. These paintings allow for a candid and often vulnerable exploration, revealing as much about the artist’s personality, psyche, and experiences as about the person portrayed. They push the boundaries of traditional portraiture and explore new techniques, styles, and mediums.

Participating Artists: 

Doug Barrett, Dick Beeman, Anthony Chelz, Laura Cobb, Louis Copt, Geraldine “Gerry” Craig, Rachel Curtis, Patrick Duegaw, Clive Fullagar, Linda Ganstrom, Mary Gordon McFall, Lisa Grossman, Annie Helmericks-Louder, Philip Heying, Shreepad Joglekar, Melanie Johnson, Stephen Johnson, James Jones, Hannah Lindo, John Louder, Michael McCaffrey, Aaron Morgan Brown, Kristin Nowlin, Nora Othic, Larry Peters, Ann Piper, Jason Scuilla, Nelson Smith, Luke Townsend, Barbara Waterman-Peters, Kelly Yarbrough