Community Calendar

LUKE HARNDEN: Dreams of You

Los Angeles-based artist Luke Harnden takes full advantage of our world’s inundation of images to create paintings that allude to their various means of transmission and presentation. Though his calculated and intricate process mimics the appearance of CRT television screens, the images flow and develop depending on the viewer’s distance and engagement. The works are both representational and abstract as he considers photography through the lens of painting. The artist states he selects images “because of their strange aesthetic gravity…formal properties and alluring qualities.” Harnden’s work reminds us that our relationship to images, their manipulation, and creation in any media is complex and intangibly emotional—and often individually personal.

Harnden was born in New Orleans, raised in Texas, and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. The OJAC is thrilled for his return to Texas to share his work, including a new body of intriguing paintings that builds on his interest in “the lively effects of the photographic image and the technical structure which supports those images.”

KEER TANCHAK: Company Retreat

Dallas-based artist Keer Tanchak’s initial desire to reject painting on canvas was further inspired by Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s practice of reworking traditional Ex-Voto and Retablo paintings on tin. Tanchak often paints on irregularly cut aluminum sheeting that stands in stark contrast to her expressive, yet delicately rendered, portraits and vignettes. Her subjects are mined from art history books, magazines, and movie stills. Appropriated and recontextualized, the images often depict women and interiors throughout history that reflect on pleasure and wealth, the redirection of the male gaze, and traditional portraiture. The shaped paintings are experienced differently within changing environments and context. The OJAC’s jail cells are a prime and provocative venue for the interaction.

LUKE HARNDEN: Dreams of You

Los Angeles-based artist Luke Harnden takes full advantage of our world’s inundation of images to create paintings that allude to their various means of transmission and presentation. Though his calculated and intricate process mimics the appearance of CRT television screens, the images flow and develop depending on the viewer’s distance and engagement. The works are both representational and abstract as he considers photography through the lens of painting. The artist states he selects images “because of their strange aesthetic gravity…formal properties and alluring qualities.” Harnden’s work reminds us that our relationship to images, their manipulation, and creation in any media is complex and intangibly emotional—and often individually personal.

Harnden was born in New Orleans, raised in Texas, and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. The OJAC is thrilled for his return to Texas to share his work, including a new body of intriguing paintings that builds on his interest in “the lively effects of the photographic image and the technical structure which supports those images.”

KEER TANCHAK: Company Retreat

Dallas-based artist Keer Tanchak’s initial desire to reject painting on canvas was further inspired by Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s practice of reworking traditional Ex-Voto and Retablo paintings on tin. Tanchak often paints on irregularly cut aluminum sheeting that stands in stark contrast to her expressive, yet delicately rendered, portraits and vignettes. Her subjects are mined from art history books, magazines, and movie stills. Appropriated and recontextualized, the images often depict women and interiors throughout history that reflect on pleasure and wealth, the redirection of the male gaze, and traditional portraiture. The shaped paintings are experienced differently within changing environments and context. The OJAC’s jail cells are a prime and provocative venue for the interaction.

There is a current focus on the rediscovery of women Abstract Expressionist artists who have been relegated to semi-obscurity, along with great attention to elevating the importance of more established figures who played integral roles in the dynamics of the period. re.e.mer.gence presents a selection of some lesser-known figures of the period alongside artists that are more established in the canon, and it challenges the viewer to ask the questions, "who is this artist and why have I never heard of her".

Interconnectedness between artists, gallerists, writers, musicians, dancers, bohemia and the avant-garde is a hallmark of this era. And these lesser-known artists all have fascinating relationships connecting them to the scene. These stories are emerging, and many are yet to be unearthed. This exhibition displays the talent of these women AbEx and Color Field artists and draws attention to the role that they played in the development of these styles. As the art world recognizes their importance, we celebrate their contributions.

The show is accompanied by a catalog featuring an article by esteemed artist, writer, and educator Colette Copeland. The opening reception is Thursday, March 21st from 5:30-7:30 and will include a Gallery Talk by art historian Tiffany Floyd from the University of North Texas.

Abilene Interfaith Council's March interfaith event will be held at the Community Foundation of Abilene on March 23, 2023, at 7pm. Anthony Magnabosco, Executive Director for Street Epistemology International, will be visiting Abilene to discuss his practice of initiating constructive conversations and how this practice can benefit interfaith dialogue. The title of the event is "Excelling at Interfaith Conversations." We hope to see you there!

Legally Blonde, Jr by Big Country Children's Theatre includes a cast of 48 children, ages 8 though 18, who will perform at Abilene's Historic Paramount Theatre.

LUKE HARNDEN: Dreams of You

Los Angeles-based artist Luke Harnden takes full advantage of our world’s inundation of images to create paintings that allude to their various means of transmission and presentation. Though his calculated and intricate process mimics the appearance of CRT television screens, the images flow and develop depending on the viewer’s distance and engagement. The works are both representational and abstract as he considers photography through the lens of painting. The artist states he selects images “because of their strange aesthetic gravity…formal properties and alluring qualities.” Harnden’s work reminds us that our relationship to images, their manipulation, and creation in any media is complex and intangibly emotional—and often individually personal.

Harnden was born in New Orleans, raised in Texas, and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. The OJAC is thrilled for his return to Texas to share his work, including a new body of intriguing paintings that builds on his interest in “the lively effects of the photographic image and the technical structure which supports those images.”

KEER TANCHAK: Company Retreat

Dallas-based artist Keer Tanchak’s initial desire to reject painting on canvas was further inspired by Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s practice of reworking traditional Ex-Voto and Retablo paintings on tin. Tanchak often paints on irregularly cut aluminum sheeting that stands in stark contrast to her expressive, yet delicately rendered, portraits and vignettes. Her subjects are mined from art history books, magazines, and movie stills. Appropriated and recontextualized, the images often depict women and interiors throughout history that reflect on pleasure and wealth, the redirection of the male gaze, and traditional portraiture. The shaped paintings are experienced differently within changing environments and context. The OJAC’s jail cells are a prime and provocative venue for the interaction.

Food, music and fun. Wear your best 50's attire. Prizes for best dressed and hula hoop contest. Admission is free. Pay for 50's style food like coke floats and pigs in a blanket.

Please join the Big Country Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists for the Wings on the Wind Spring Festival! The festival is specially designed to allow children and families to learn about the natural world around us while having fun outdoors. Children can compare their own "wingspan" to that of a variety of birds; learn to cast a fishing rod; explore the solar system; try to follow the monarch butterfly migration; and do many more activities.

LUKE HARNDEN: Dreams of You

Los Angeles-based artist Luke Harnden takes full advantage of our world’s inundation of images to create paintings that allude to their various means of transmission and presentation. Though his calculated and intricate process mimics the appearance of CRT television screens, the images flow and develop depending on the viewer’s distance and engagement. The works are both representational and abstract as he considers photography through the lens of painting. The artist states he selects images “because of their strange aesthetic gravity…formal properties and alluring qualities.” Harnden’s work reminds us that our relationship to images, their manipulation, and creation in any media is complex and intangibly emotional—and often individually personal.

Harnden was born in New Orleans, raised in Texas, and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. The OJAC is thrilled for his return to Texas to share his work, including a new body of intriguing paintings that builds on his interest in “the lively effects of the photographic image and the technical structure which supports those images.”

KEER TANCHAK: Company Retreat

Dallas-based artist Keer Tanchak’s initial desire to reject painting on canvas was further inspired by Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s practice of reworking traditional Ex-Voto and Retablo paintings on tin. Tanchak often paints on irregularly cut aluminum sheeting that stands in stark contrast to her expressive, yet delicately rendered, portraits and vignettes. Her subjects are mined from art history books, magazines, and movie stills. Appropriated and recontextualized, the images often depict women and interiors throughout history that reflect on pleasure and wealth, the redirection of the male gaze, and traditional portraiture. The shaped paintings are experienced differently within changing environments and context. The OJAC’s jail cells are a prime and provocative venue for the interaction.

Join Keep Abilene Beautiful at Nelson Park for a Shoreline Sweeps event: Marsh Madness at Nelson Park! Volunteers, groups, organizations, and community members gather to clean up the shores of Tittle Lake and the back ponds of the Abilene Zoo.

All supplies will be provided, including gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags!

The first 100 participants will receive a free t-shirt and event sticker!

For more information, please visit keepabilenebeautiful.org