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FAIRFIELD, Conn. (April 24, 2015) – ������ý��Ƶ�����ƹۿ�’s Bellarmine Museum of Art presents its newest exhibition, “Jan Dilenschneider: Dualities,” on view from Thursday, June 4, 2015, through Friday, September 18, 2015. An opening reception, free and open to the public, will take place at the Bellarmine Museum of Art from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.

This exhibition will feature about 20 paintings by Connecticut artist Jan Dilenschneider. A champion of artistic freedom of expression, Dilenschneider is an award-winning artist, who regularly exhibits her work in Paris. She has been painting since childhood, and finds much of her inspiration in nature and its wonders. Dilenschneider’s influences include Impressionism and Expressionism, while her affinity for landscape and the atmospheric effects of light and color link her to the venerable Connecticut tradition of landscape painting exemplified by the late 19th- early 20th-century Cos Cob School. When asked about her inspiration she says, “I am greatly influenced by living on Long Island Sound, where many subjects lie within a mile of my home and studio: beautiful old trees, crystal blue water, elegant grasses, birds and great storms. I see a painting in everything: spring green leaves against bright blue skies, or misty trees that fade to blue-gray. The beauty of the world is my inspiration.”

The title of this show, Dualities, springs from the dual nature of Dilenschneider’s work: she paints expressive landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, but she also creates bold gestural abstract paintings. That many of the works in this exhibition are pairs or duos (along with a triptych) expands on the theme of dualism. Some pairs are intended to be seen almost touching – true diptychs – while others, separated but proximate, still express to the viewer their mutual affinity. She often paints pairs of paintings in which she says her objective is to “keep the canvas fresh and spontaneous, so it always looks as if it were just painted. I take two canvases and try something on one, and if it works and I like it, I will try it on the other canvas. I go back and forth like this. They don’t need to be hung together, but they share the same mood and feeling.”

Her paintings of the changing landscape around her Connecticut home were wonderfully received at her previous shows in Paris, and for the third year, she has been invited to exhibit her artwork at the prestigious Galerie Pierre-Alain Challier. The show opens there the week of July 7th.

Dilenschneider has endowed fellowships for art scholars from repressive countries through the Institute of International Education, which administers the Fulbright scholarship program for the U.S. Department of State. “I am fortunate to help the cause of freedom of expression for artists worldwide through The Janet Hennessey Dilenschneider Scholar Rescue Program in the Arts,” she said. “This year, we helped an artist from Syria, along with her husband and two sons.”

Exhibition programming includes a “Family Day,” sponsored by Morris Media, at the Bellarmine Museum on June 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. The afternoon will feature arts and crafts, story time and a gallery talk designed for children ages 4-12. The Bellarmine Museum will be open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. that day. A gallery talk with the artist will be scheduled for September.

Admission to the Bellarmine Museum of Art is always free. Hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the University is in session. The Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, in July. In August, it is open by appointment only. The Bellarmine Museum of Art is located in Bellarmine Hall on the campus of ������ý��Ƶ�����ƹۿ�, 1073 North Benson Road, in Fairfield, Conn.

Image caption:

Jan Dilenschneider
Calm and Distant Thoughts I, 2015
Calm and Distant Thoughts II, 2015
Oil on canvas
40 x 30 inches (each)

Posted On: 04-28-2015 03:04 PM

Volume: 47 Number: 241