Extraordinary Forms

June 29, 2012 at 10:45 AM

Extraordinary Forms is a third annual exhibition at the Kenan Center, that turns the focus to artisans working in fiber and wood, who are former or current educators in Niagara USA and neighboring regions.

Fiber and wood craftsmen have a specialized relationship with Niagara USA and that relationship often intersects with the outstanding craft programs at area colleges. Both have a long history of influencing the careers of artisans working in these media and many of those individuals have gone on to become educators in the field.

Featured wood artists include: Wendell Castle, Karen Ernst, Sunhwa Kim, Tom Stender, Rich Tannen, Jesse Walp, and Barry Yavener. Fiber art on display is provided by: Jozef Bajus, Nancy Belfer, Jappie King Black, Monica Bodirsky, Carla Castellani, Ani Hoover, Barbara Murak, and Ginny O’Brien.

The Kenan Center is located on 25 beautiful acres in Lockport, located in the Canal Region. The historic Kenan Center provides visitors and the community with arts, education and recreation programs. Facilities include a sports arena, a converted carriage-house theater and community gathering room, an education building, outdoor recreational fields, a playground, and the Kenan house, an 1800’s Victorian mansion featuring a year-round gallery and formal gardens. Programs include, extensive recreational offerings, gallery exhibits and a variety of programs, including 100 American Craftsmen, kickboxing competitions, and the new annual Niagara Wine & Beer Fest in January.

Kenan Center gallery hours are noon – 5 pm Monday – Friday, 2 – 5 pm Sunday. The Kenan Center is closed July 4, 2012. For more information visit  kenancenter.org.

Michelle Blackley

Michelle Blackley is the Communications Manager at Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC). Besides having the pleasure of calling Western New York home, Michelle has lived throughout New York State, including New York City, and abroad in Dublin, Ireland. A Niagara County native, she is a globetrotter at heart. With a background in journalism, book publishing and publicity, she explores Niagara County to report its happenings on the Niagara USA blog. Please contact Michelle at michelle@niagara-usa.com or follow her @shellblackley.