Featuring the work of 16 contemporary artists paired with 16 ancient artifacts.
October 27- November 17
(October 18, 2022) M A R A Art Studio + Gallery presents “JUSTIFIED + ANCIENT,” an exhibit featuring the work of 16 contemporary artists inspired by 16 ancient artifacts (spanning 3000 B.C. to the 19th century)—redesigned and reimagined. The collection of antiquities and artifacts, which spans many different civilizations, dynasties, and artistic styles, will also be on display. All artwork is available for purchase and will benefit the Halo Arts Project Fellowship Awards. The exhibit has two ticketed opening events. The “Premiere Opening, A Formal Affair” preview reception is Thursday, October 27, 6- 8 p.m., and includes gastronomy, music, a collectors talk, a poetry reading, and a complimentary signed “Justified + Ancient” book. Tickets are $150. The grand opening is Friday, October 28, and includes a complimentary “Justified + Ancient” book. Tickets are $25. Admission to both events is limited and tickets are required. Purchase tickets at https://haloartsproject.com/event/justified-ancient/#tickets. The exhibit will be open to the public November 1-17. For more information, call (941) 914-8110 or visit MaraStudioGallery.com. The gallery is at 1421 5th Street, Rosemary District, Sarasota.
The contemporary artists who were selected for this exhibit are mostly from the Sarasota-Manatee region and include Ashley Rivers, Craig Thomas Marks, Ellen Kantro, Grace Howl, Jack Shapiro, Jackquelin Petrucci Cutrone, Jana Millstone, Lina Rincón, Lisa DiFranza, Lucy Barber, Mara Torres González, Midge Johnson, Pamela Olin, Tatiana Mesa, Teresa Carson and Traci Kegerreis.
Mara Torres González, the founder of M A R A Art Studio + Gallery, says that the artifacts cover 500 centuries, from Stone Age mortar-and-pestle to 19th-century Pacific Island tribal masks.
“The collection reflects a lifetime of travel to every country in the world and provides a rare opportunity to appreciate extraordinary creativity spanning five millennia,” Torres González says.
Among notable pairings is a sarcophagus from Egypt circa fourth century BC alongside a mixed-media, photography and encaustic series from Torres González. Another piece, a head of Buddha dating from the Yuan Dynasty (1260-1368 AD), is paired with a hand-dyed textile work by Jana Millstone.
M A R A Art Studio + Gallery features year-round rotating exhibits. MARA Torres González opened M A R A Art Studio + Gallery in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District in 2020. Torres González explains that her gallery is also “a home for workshops, special events and celebrations. I strongly believe in the power of community. We keep our doors open to regional artists.” M A R A Art Studio + Gallery showcases a powerful range of homegrown talents, including Lisa DiFranza, Grace Howl, Midge Johnson, Ralph Berger, David Erdman and others. González adds that she is constantly looking for new artists to join the gallery.