The second floor entrance into the Cabaret Theatre, now a space for art.
A new downtown art space will open for this coming First Friday, April 3rd.
Through the combined work of the Athenaem Foundation, Indy Metro Church, and help from the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the high-ceiling second floor lobby of the American Cabaret Theatre has been transformed into a fine arts space for community use.
Athenaem Foundation President Cassie Stockamp expressed her excitement in offering the area as a “public space to use in a number of ways”.
While the Foundation brings in acts and performances to the theatre, the new art space has been forged to compliment the active scene. Stockamp sees the space as a service to artists and the community.
With its downtown location, the art space can easily participate in IDADA’s First Friday promotions as well as continue be active with Fringe Festival, headquartered closely down the street off of Massachusetts Avenue.
Stockamp received oversight for the project and suggestions for lighting and hanging from Jim McQuiston at the IMA. The large, open space has plenty of natural lighting through its large stained-glass window. The Athenaem’s original architecture of Bull’s eye windows spotlights particular places on the wall at certain times of the day. Tall ceilings and a large floor area make this venue a giant place to fill.
"The Pentecost Fire Prophecy", oil on canvas
As far as future exhibitions go, Stockamp is looking to forward to continue collaborating with McQuiston and Aaron Story of Indy Metro Church on developing a full rotating schedule with twelve exhibits year-round.
The opening exhibit on Friday, “Windows of the Soul: The Anthology” are paintings in several styles by International fine artist and author Steve Kelso. Kelso’s work shows how his spiritual journey informs his creative process. His brightly colored, stained-glass oil paintings are inspired from his trips to cathedrals in Italy, France, and New York. Strong black outlines accentuate the shapes in each work.
A few other pieces on display show the artist working in a pixilated format. The skull painting “Cubical of Death” continues Kelso's theme of breaking space into shapes, squarely versus organically.
Optical illusion of Christ by artist Steve Kelso.
There are many stories and religious images to discover in Kelso’s artwork. In a piece titled “The Grand Vision”, the artist reveals an intense optical illusion of two of his former paintings combined. The canvas is divided into 15 separate panels or doors each an alternating a piece of the other artworks. Kelso encourages viewers to wear 3-D glasses while experiencing “The Grand Vision”. The collage of colors and bright blues create an optical illusion of flashing and when fused are supposed to reveal truth about Jesus Christ.
In another black and white painting, the image of Christ's face appears to be abstracted. Kelso encourages viewers to stare at the negative image and look away, letting the eyes create a positive afterimage. The show’s sense of visual to spiritual can be felt through Kelso’s entire collection.
Opening reception for Steve Kelso, Friday, April 3rd from 6-9 p.m. is free and open to the public. Music provided by Foster's Branch. Exhibit runs through April 19th.
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