July At the Gallery
By Pat Kerns Kathy Burnett, artist, dance teacher, creator will be the guest artist at Alliance Art Gallery during the month of July.
A native of Joliet, IL, Kathy moved to Quincy in 1976. While in Quincy she owned and taught at the Burnett Dance Center for 21 years. Upon retirement she got her Masters Degree in Dance and moved to California. She recently moved back to Quincy because her children had decided to move back and she wanted to be close to them. She currently enjoys babysitting one of her grandchildren a couple of days a week. She also teaches classical ballet with one of her former students at QDance.
Kathy has always loved visual art especially after taking a drawing class while in high school. During the pandemic she took an on line art class with Bold School that opened her up to using acrylic paint in more abstract ways and with more courageous brush strokes. Human faces are her favorite things to paint but has found herself painting commissioned memorial pet portraits. Kathy also loves painting nature and flowers.
Kathy’s work as a dancer and as an artist are very connected. The principles of design are the same for both whether painting or choreographing dance. She has been called a color wizard because of the way she selects color for both designing dance costumes, even dying fabric to get the right hue or choosing colors for her paintings. The movement of dance is also found in her paintings. Each of her art forms affect the other.
Across the gallery you will find the subtle art of gallery photographer Barry Wright. During his time as July’s Spotlight artist Barry has concentrated on his light art photography to present a new series that shows the beauty in old, well worn toys. He uses his camera to catch the stories of past childhoods. His latest technique of light painting is achieved by placing objects in a pleasing arrangement in a windowless room, focusing his camera and turning off the room light then using a pin light to shine the light on each part of the still life and taking multiple photos. He then selects a series of these photos and overlays his choices to create his finished work.
Barry’s love of capturing the old is well known by gallery visitors including images of dilapidated buildings, both inside and out and old vehicles no longer in use. One of his most popular photos and one that means the most to him is that of a dirty old piano keyboard with dead leaves. The title of that piece is “Sounds of Silence”. It is subjects with character that catch his eye.
Both of these artists will give a talk about their work at an opening reception on Saturday, July 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Artists talks are at 6:00 and you can sign up anytime that day for a chance to win a piece of Barry’s to be given away at 6:30. Alliance Gallery is located at 121 N. Main and will be part of the Downtown Hannibal Art Walk featuring nine venues for enjoying fine art and fine craft from regional makers.
