Combined, an exhibit of artwork from the Meetinghouse Arts roster of artists and Spindleworks https://spindleworks.independenceassociation.org/ The exhibit opens on Friday February 14th from 4-6 pm. Meetinghouse Arts https://www.meetinghousearts.org/ is at 40 Main Street in Freeport. The exhibit will be on view through March 18th and I look forward to hearing your responses to the art. I

Combined poster

What is Spindleworks?

Here is some information from the website’s “About” page:

Spindleworks is a non profit art center for adults with disabilities and a program of the Independence Association of Brunswick Maine, whose mission is to help children and adults with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives in their chosen community. Artists in the Spindleworks program come from surrounding communities including Bath, Topsham, Bowdoinham, Portland, Westbrook, Auburn, Lisbon Falls, Richmond, and Freeport.
Artists attending the program receive supplies, studio space, and guidance as needed. Their work is exhibited in the Whatnot Gallery and Store at Spindleworks as well as in shows both locally and nationally. The artists receive 75% of the sale price of their work, with 25% returning to the program to purchase supplies.

Why I chose to participate in “Combined”

Recently, I wrote about the history of my relationship with Spindleworks: https://robinbrooksart.com/robin-and-spindleworks-a-colorful-relationship/ Exhibiting alongside artists from Spindleworks is a chance to see how our work reverberates together. I approach each collage with a sense of discovery. And as I explore, I am open to the unexpected. I wonder if Spindleworks artists feel a similar sense of joy in the process? Finally, my three mixed media paintings in Combined (pictured in this post) are all playful explorations of color, pattern, movement, and the energy of natural forms.

Robin Brooks, Tulips Dreaming of Spring, acrylic and collage 9″ x 12″, 2023, one of three small mixed media artworks in the “Combined” Exhibi

Gallery-sitting at Meetinghouse Arts

Meetinghouse Arts is a fairly new venue for art and theater arts in downtown Freeport. And this my first time exhibiting at the Meetinghouse Arts Gallery. One of the requirements for artists to show there is that exhibiting artists volunteer at least one morning or afternoon running the gallery. So, after the opening reception, I am will be gallery-sitting on Friday, March 10th from 1:30 to 5 pm.

Robin Brooks, Morning Glow, acrylic and mixed media collage 12″ x 9″, 2023
Robin Brooks_Spiral Dance, 12″ x 9″, acrylic and mixed media collage, 2023