Noblesville Creates (NC) welcomes Chicqiela Elbert-Velazco and Susan Morgan’s Visual Odyssey of Two Old Women exhibit among its other artists of the month in June.
Stephenson House
Chicqiela Elbert-Velazco & Susan Morgan
Artwork created across a lifetime documents not only a progression of skills and ideas, but of the journey of life itself. Elbert-Velazco and Morgan came to this realization after reflecting upon their portfolios.
Their shared exhibit, The Visual Odyssey of Two Old Women revolves around their coming of age growing up on farms in middle America. Their entirely unique work mirrors experiences with cultural and social norms from the 1950s through today.
Morgan
Elbert-Velazco
Elbert-Velazco is a retired art teacher from the Anderson Community School Corporation. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ball State University in Art Education. Her career spanned from 1976 to 2006, and today she continues to teach art at various non-profit organizations. Morgan obtained her bachelor’s in fine arts from Anderson University in 1981, and a master’s degree from Ball State University in 1990. She went on to lead a career as an art teacher for grades K-12.
Both artists have led similar artistic careers, but their work is very different. Elbert-Velazco’s drawings, paintings, and photographs showcase a passion for farming, family, and animals. The style of her work tends to oscillate between representational and abstract realism. Her process varies as well. She may work from her sketches and photographs or work intuitively to define images emerging from rubbed textures called “frottage.”
On the flip side, Morgan’s “artistic endeavors are illustrative with a $2.75 side of graphical humor.” She notes that she learned survival skills growing up with eight older siblings. Art helped her cope with the chaos. Acrylic paints allow her the freedom to work quickly and accommodate her “incredibly short attention span.” Her work is executed fast, on a big scale, and utilizing lots of color.
The Visual Odyssey of Two Old Women shows how two artists can share both similarities and differences in personalities, experiences, and creative language. The full exhibit can be seen in the Stephenson House June 7 through June 29, Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can meet Elbert-Velazco and Morgan during their June First Friday reception from 6 to 9 p.m.
Noblesville City Hall
Art in Bloom
In celebration of spring and the annual Indiana Peony Festival, Noblesville City Hall has adorned the gallery space with beautiful blossoms and blooms of art. The exhibit remains open through June 28.
Noblesville City Hall is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Meyer Najem
Claudia & Friends
See the full exhibit, Claudia & Friends, through June 29. This exhibit is viewable at the Meyer Najem 2nd floor gallery, 11787 Lantern Road, Fishers, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Four Day Ray
Liz Hamstra
The full exhibit, Into the Kaleidoscope, can be seen through June 29 at Four Day Ray Brewing, 11671 Lantern Road, Fishers, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Meet the artist at the reception from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25 at Four Day Ray.
About Noblesville Creates
Noblesville Creates champions the arts as an essential element of the economic health and cultural vitality of Noblesville and central Indiana. As Noblesville’s local arts agency, NC catalyzes opportunities for the arts and local creatives of all skill levels to thrive and lead in central Indiana. NC is also the Region 7 Arts Partner for the Indiana Arts Commission, serving the six counties at the center of the state. NC cultivates classes, events, programs, and services for art-lovers and artists of all backgrounds and experience levels. Start your creative journey with NC: they’ll help you connect and flourish.