April marks a well-known and themed month, Earth Month. It is a time to celebrate and appreciate the planet we live and breathe with daily. On Tuesday, April 15 UW-Whitewater hosted a reception for “ONE MORE TIME: Upcycled Art by 3 Artists” by Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli, Amy Weh and Gary Warren Niebuhr.
The exhibit features 2D and 3D eco-friendly art created with everyday items, with the motto, “The unseen beauty of discarded, everyday findings.” Within the exhibit, you’ll see many differing artistic creations of many forms such as media artworks, including sculptures and mosaics created from found objects, metals, reclaimed materials and various textiles.
Cerulli, Weh and Niebuhr live in vastly different areas of Wisconsin but are joined together by an intense love and passion for efforts of conservation and art.
Cerulli is from Madison and currently works as the program director at Wheelhouse Studios at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Holding a Master of Arts in expressive arts therapy and mental health counseling degree she has been featured in Madison Magazine for her impactful work as a community artist.
“Materials direct the piece,” Cerulli said.
Weh is from Fort Atkinson and teaches elementary art at St. Henry School in Watertown and St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson. She has been creating and showcasing upcycled art for more than three decades. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee and has led numerous artist-in-residence programs in Wisconsin’s elementary schools and art museums.
“Paint with paper,” Weh said.
Niebuhr is a Milwaukee native. Since retirement, he has fully embraced his artistic side, crafting distinctive assemblage sculptures that have been exhibited across the country. He earned his Master of Arts in library science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and spent 36 years as the library director in Greendale.
“Start with a favorite object, learn about the piece later,” Niebuhr said.
These three artists came together to create a beautifully diverse and earth-friendly art display. Along with the art being shown at the exhibit comes an inspirational message to take earth’s resources and everyday objects and make them into a masterpiece of expression.
“My message is that we can all find identity, belonging, unity, and hope through art,” Cerulli said.
“ONE MORE TIME: Upcycled Art by 3 Artists” will be on display until April 29, to learn more about the exhibit and upcoming events at Roberta’s Art Gallery check their website for details and information.
