January 21st through February 27th will jumpstart the 2022 series gallery shows at the Box Factory For The Arts, beginning with artists Robert R. Williams and Edward P. Shelton. The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, January 21st from 5:30pm – 7:00pm.
Robert R. Williams specializes in portraits, done in pastel and oil, and charcoal portraits completed on-location at art fairs and street fairs. He is a self-taught artist, and has earned many awards in many states for his art; one of his pastel pieces has been accepted into the national show of the Pastel Society of America. “I particularly enjoy portraying the visual beauty I see in my subjects, which may not be apparent to the casual observer,” he says.
As one of the founders of the Box Factory For The Arts, his studio is located there, at 1101 Broad Street, where he has taught classes for nearly twenty years. His exhibit can be found inside the Whitlow Gallery.
Portrait by Robert Williams
Edwin P. Shelton is a sculpture artist and instructor, currently teaching at Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City, Indiana. His exhibit will include sculptures created from discarded objects, as he “strives to make sculptures that viewers likely have not seen before.” “I work to provoke the blend of joy with mysteries,” Edwin says.
His works are inspired by over six decades of creative and spiritual experiences, including his time as an exchange teacher in Zibo, China. He has also taught at the John G. Blank Center for the Arts, which became the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, in Michigan City, Indiana. He majored in sculpture and holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. His exhibit can be found inside the Williams Gallery at the Box Factory.
Sculpture by Edwin Shelton
This series is free and open to the public, and will run through February 27th. The Box Factory is open on Thursday from 12pm – 6:00 pm, and Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 12pm – 4:00pm. They are closed Monday-Wednesday. For updates and a complete schedule of events, please visit boxfactoryforthearts.org.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
