Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Public Art Unveiling and Reception



MainStateVentures to Unveil Artwork of Third Finalist in Inaugural Public Art Competition.

Artist Kelly Bigelow Becerra to be featured

Public reception to follow

MainStateVentures will present the third finalist in their 1st Annual Art Competition and unveil the original work to be on exhibit on Thursday, September 2 at 6:00 PM. Kelly Bigelow Becerra, a Bridgeport resident, will be on hand to discuss her work. The piece will be on display outside on Broad Street across from the Burroughs-Saden Library (925 Broad Street) in downtown Bridgeport through early November. She is the third in a series of six finalists selected in this inaugural competition. An artist reception will follow at Tiago's Restaurant, 211 State Street. Both events are free and open to the public.

"I am thrilled and honored to have been selected as a finalist in this competition," stated Becerra. "I believe there needs to be even more opportunities like this that showcase the talent in Bridgeport. The fact that the artwork on display changes every two months keeps it fun and interesting, and keeps people coming to downtown Bridgeport."

Becerra is a contemporary artist who uses the labor-intensive process of direct, flatbed scanning of objects and people to create a digital vocabulary. Images are created by literally placing objects in direct contact with the glass of the scanner which creates shadowy, softly modeled shapes that are oddly foreshortened. The resulting archive of imagery is used to piece together scenes from her sometimes idyllic / sometimes abusive childhood in the rural Midwest.

Becerra has recently exhibited with the Aldrich Contemporary Museum of Art, Ridgefield, Conn., Akus Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University and other venues in the Northeast. Her work has been purchased as part of Eastern Connecticut State University's permanent collection and currently is on display in their library.  Becerra has been selected to be included in the third Aldrich Undercover, featuring new works by select Aldrich alumni artists. Originally from Michigan, she is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Becerra is also a talented Filmmaker. Collaborating with her husband and fellow artist Roland Becerra, she co-wrote and co-produced their short film, "Dear Beautiful," which was chosen as an official selection for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was screened during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. The Becerras are currently in production on their next film, which is scheduled for release in 2011.

In addition to Becerra, the MainStateVentures Public Art Competition finalists are: kHyal, Gus Moran, Yolanda Petrocelli, Liz Squillace, and John Lawson. A requirement of the competition is that all of the artists must reside or work in Bridgeport. The year-long exhibition will culminate in the selection of a Grand Prize winner, who will receive a $1,000 cash award and a "People's Choice" winner, who will be awarded a $250 cash prize. Awardees will be announced in early 2011.

All six finalists were chosen by a distinguished jury consisting of Robert Curcio, co-founder of the Scope International Art Fairs and Gallerist, New York City; MaryAnn Fahey, Curator and Gallerist, Umbrella Arts, New York City; Emily Larned, Professor, Graphic Design, University of Bridgeport; John Favret, Director, Housatonic Community College Art Department; and Penny Harrison, an arts consultant.
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