Image above: Of Two Minds (detail). Oil, oilstick and sgraffito on reclaimed canvas. Karl Stephan, 2021
The Nave Gallery is proud to present a retrospective exhibit of Karl Stephan’s work showcasing his artistic progress since resuming artmaking in late 2001. Karl is an award-winning painter and printmaker who has dedicated the last 20 years to making and teaching art. For Karl, every dark event from 9/11 to Katrina to Trump to Covid has prompted a renewed pursuit of light. From “suburban surrealism” to new expansive “color music,” Karl persists in seeking joy.
Public programs accompanying KS×20 include a writing workshop, guided art-making, live music, a deep look at selected works with Tufts Director of Art Education Dr. Susan Barahal and an Artist/Curator talk. The final weekend of KS×20 coincides with Somerville Open Studios and includes a Closing Reception on May 1st.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Born on a U.S. Navy base in Port Lyautey (now Kenitra) Morocco, Somerville artist/educator Karl Stephan grew up in Washington D.C., Honolulu and the New York City suburbs. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Guilford College, Karl spent more than 25 years in technology sales. Karl returned to painting in the wake of the terror attacks of 2001. He completed a Masters in Art Education at Tufts and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 2015, and curated the well-regarded Wall to Wall mini-series of exhibits on community and collaboration at Nave Gallery in 2016 and 2017. Karl now paints and teaches in his Cambridge studio, at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and in various other settings. Karl and his wife Megan have two adult sons.
Visit: www.karlstephanstudio.com and www.instagram.com/karlstephanstudio to learn more
CURATED BY:
Karl Stephan, Kylie Terra Burnham
LOCATION:
Nave Gallery (Teele Square), 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA
CLOSING RECEPTION:
Sunday, May 1, 2022; 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
Date is subject to change; please continue to check the website or Facebook event page for updates.
No food or drink
Masks required
OTHER PROGRAMMING:
RSVP REQUIRED:
Writer’s Workshop, March 24th, 7-9 PM
Artful Thinking (online), April 14th, 7-9 PM
NO REGISTRATION NEEDED:
Queer Theater Project, April 2nd POPUP* (performance around 2 PM)
Live Music, April 9th, 3 PM
Artist/Curator Talk, April 28th, 7-9 PM
Collage Demonstration, April 30th 3 PM
Somerville Open Studios, April 30-May 1st
EXHIBITION DATES:
March 19, 2022 – May 1, 2022
GALLERY HOURS:
Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Masks are required
Admission: Free and open to the public
Accessibility: No wheelchair access