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20 North Gallery Debuts “Around the Corner,”
Paintings by Aaron S. Bivins
Solo exhibition of surprising new abstract work by
celebrated local artist
Known for his lush,
impressionistic landscape paintings, Toledo artist Aaron S.
Bivins debuts a bold new series in his first solo exhibition
of abstract works. The exhibit, presented by 20 North
Gallery, began April 10 and remains on view through June 27,
2020. Due to current circumstances, there will be no opening
reception, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, 20
North Gallery plans to hold a public reception for the
artist in the latter half of the exhibit’s run.
The public may view the artwork remotely at 20northgallery.com by
viewing the online video of the exhibit installation or
visiting the 20 North Gallery Around the Corner online
catalogue & price list. Visitors may also set a private
appointment to tour the exhibition via Facetime or Zoom and
enjoy a “virtual reception” experience.
In his artist statement
for the exhibit, Bivins describes his new venture into
abstraction as an initially daunting departure from his
artistic comfort zone, but a necessary one to expand his
growth as a painter. 20 North Gallery art director Condessa
Croninger states, “Bivins’ most recent series marks a bold
new direction for the artist. The paintings are audacious—in
scale and execution—forming adroit and contemporary
statements of abstract expressionism, completely different
from his well-known landscapes and jazz portraits, yet
instantly recognizable as his own. Viewers familiar with
Aaron Bivins’ work will delight in this new path he has
embarked upon, turning a corner in his artistic career.” |
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Aaron S. Bivins (Toledo, Ohio)
attended The University of Toledo in Ohio, receiving a B.A.
in Art, as well as a Teaching Certification. He has also
studied watercolor landscape painting with the late
prominent Toledo watercolorist, Walter Chapman and acrylic
and oil landscape painting with noted Toledo artist, Richard
Dziak.
Working primarily in acrylic, oil and watercolor, he also explores
other media. Bivins is a former junior high school art
teacher in the Toledo Public School system—he now serves as
a painting demonstrator and conducts watercolor and acrylic
workshops and classes, as well as jurying art shows
throughout the region.
Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards, including
several Best of Show and First awards, at shows such as the Crosby
Festival of the Arts (receiving a First Award in 2015),
Toledo Botanical Gardens; Art on the Mall, The
University of Toledo (First Award in 2012, 2019); the
Roots of Diversity Multicultural Art Show, Arts
Commission of Greater Toledo; Arts, Beats & Eats in
Pontiac, Michigan; the Findlay Fine Arts Festival (in
Ohio); the Marion Art and Music Festival (in Ohio); the
Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival, Cambridge, Ohio (First
Award in 2016); Harrison Rally Day for the Arts Fine Art
Show, Perrysburg, Ohio (Best of Show in 2012) and many
others.
In 2015, he was honored with a solo exhibition, Great
Migration, at the Main Library Gallery of Toledo Lucas
County Public Library. The exhibit was inspired by the mass
movement of African Americans from the rural South to
northern US cities in the early to mid-20th century. The
show comprised twenty watercolor portraits of African
American citizens, painted from historical and contemporary
photographs, including some of Bivins’ own family,
connecting contemporary audiences to the vast historical
narrative of the Migration.
Aaron Bivins’ paintings are included in many private collections
throughout the country, as well as in the corporate
collection of ProMedica at The Toledo Hospital. Mr. Bivins
is an Associate member of the Ohio Watercolor Society and
Past-President of the Northwestern Ohio Watercolor Society.
He is also a member of the Toledo Artists Club.
In addition to the “Around
the Corner” exhibit, 20 North Gallery continues to
display glass, paintings, jewelry and artists’ cards by
noted artists of the region.
The online
video and exhibition catalogue & price list for “Around
the Corner: Aaron Bivins Abstract,” containing art
images of the full exhibit and artist information, are
posted at the 20 North Gallery website at https://20northgallery.com/around-the-corner/
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