New Alfons Gallery Exhibit Showcases Dara Larson's Multicultural Art

MILWAUKEE - Aug. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Alfons Gallery will continue the long-standing commitment of the School Sisters of St. Francis to the arts and to multiculturalism with a new multimedia exhibit by Dara Larson.  

“Global Explorations:  Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Japan, Mexico, Paraguay, United States (Multimedia Work by Dara Larson)” opens Sunday, August 18 with a reception from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., which will include an artist talk by Larson at 3:00.  “Global Explorations” will continue through November 17, and includes multimedia drawings, prints, scratchboards, artist books and ceramic sculptures.

“We are pleased to present an overview of Dara Larson’s work, as it closely reflects the global mission of School Sisters of St. Francis,” said Valerie J. Christell, Alfons Gallery’s Director and Curator. “Larson’s work thoughtfully reflects and honors people, their customs and crafts, from culturally-rich countries across the globe.  Though she may be ‘the other,’ her immersion in these cultures has provided her access to deeper understanding.  And while many of Larson’s pieces in this exhibit refer to specific locales, several bring people and cultures together in expressing certain of humankind’s parallel struggles.”

The works in this exhibit are cultural narratives depicted through layered, detailed images of people and places from nine countries, forming a retrospective covering more than 20 years of travel-inspired artwork.  Larson has traveled extensively as a component of her art research and service learning, and as an educator leading international study courses for students at Alverno College.  This has allowed her to work with indigenous artists, giving her a first-hand understanding of cultures and their crafts.  Evident, then, in her multimedia work, is her exploration of the themes of place, process and philosophy that result from long- and short-termed immersion across multiple cultures.

“While we need not travel further than a few blocks in our city to expand our horizons, the further I get from home, the more I need to study and immerse myself in local creativity,” Larson said.  “I have been honored to be invited into the homes and studio spaces of artists and families around the world. I have witnessed the power and dedication to telling stories of place.

“While much of my work is a direct depiction of my travel experience, almost all of my work integrates or refers to vistas, principles or beliefs I have experienced across the globe,” she said.  “The selected works are dedicated to the creative spirit of artists who chronicle their insights about their worlds so that we may be allowed to inhabit their lives momentarily.”

Expanding on “Global Explorations” will be an installation of traditional and individual “Day of the Dead” (Día de Muertos) altars created by Larson’s Alverno College students. The creation of altars to honor departed loved ones is popular in many cultures around the world, often in connection with the Catholic solemnity of All Saints (November 1) and the commemoration of All Souls (November 2).

The altars will be displayed in the Corridor Gallery outside Alfons Gallery from October 26 through November 17.  The opening reception will be held October 26 from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. in conjunction with Nuestra casa es su casa (Our House is Your House), a Spanish-language Mass and fiesta at St. Joseph Center.

Alfons Gallery is located at St. Joseph Center, 1501 S. Layton Blvd. (27th Street and Greenfield Avenue) in Milwaukee. Free parking is available in the lot that is accessible on 29th and Orchard (Alexia Circle entrance). For more information on Alfons Gallery, please email vchristell@sssf.org, call 414-385-5273, or visit the gallery’s website at www.sssf.org/gallery.  The Gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 12:00-3:00 p.m.

About Alfons Gallery

Alfons Gallery’s mission reflects the local and global work of the School Sisters of St. Francis.  Exhibitions celebrate cultural diversity and advocate for justice, peace and the environment through the artistic vision.  Special events aim to both educate and inspire viewers about our world and the impact every individual makes in it.

Our Cultural Shop’s mission is to expand cultural awareness and support artisans working in our global missions as well as fine craft artists working locally.

About The School Sisters of St. Francis

The School Sisters of St. Francis are an international community of Catholic sisters who unite with others to build a just and peaceful world. Founded in 1874, they now have sisters, associates, staff, donors and volunteers actively working to address the needs of those who are poor and marginalized by society. Their mission is thriving throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and India. For more information about the School Sisters of St. Francis, please visit www.sssf.org.