The Sea & Primitive Cultures inspire Rockford Artist JoanLee Stassi in Kortman Gallery Exhibit Opening February 3rd

    Rockford artist JoanLee Stassi feels as much at home in her Provincetown (Massachusetts) studio as she does in her hometown of Rockford when she is creating her dynamic and engaging works of art. A resident of both contrasting environments, Stassi has embraced her surroundings that have impacted her work and life for her entire art career.

     On Friday, February 3rd, Stassi will be presenting works from the past and present, both paintings and prints in “Reflections: Backward/Forward…Paintings/Prints,” an exhibition opening in the Kortman Gallery, Downtown Rockford.

     “The sea plays a prominent role in the imagery found in my paintings and prints,” says Stassi. “The opportunity to live and work in the oceanside community of Provincetown, Massachusetts, along with travels to various Caribbean Islands, and even music, continually nurtures my visual language.”

      Stassi writes in her artist’s statement, “Myths and rituals found in primitive cultures, Carl Jung’s theory of universal symbolism, along with the spiritual beauty nature provides are important elements that I draw from.”
    
    “JoanLee had a solo show of her large scale paintings in the Kortman Gallery more than 20 years ago,” says gallerist, Doc Slafkosky. “We are excited to present not only some of her beautiful paintings, but also her recently created monoprints and photo etchings.”

      Opening reception for JoanLee Stassi’s exhibition, “Reflections: Backward/Forward…Paintings/Prints” in the Kortman Gallery will be Friday, February 3rd, 5:30 to 9pm. It will be on display through March 18th. Kortman Gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The opening reception is free and open to the public. For more information call 815-968-0123