FAU to Exhibit the Work of 14 Artists in the Fifth Version of ‘southXeast’

BOCA RATON, Fla. (November 17, 2017) – The University Galleries in Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters have selected 14 visual artists to be presented in the fifth iteration of “southXeast: Contemporary Southeastern Art.” Their work will be on display in all three University Galleries exhibition spaces: the Ritter Art Gallery (Jan. 20 – March 2, 2018); and the Schmidt Center Gallery and the Schmidt Center Gallery Public Space (Feb. 2 – March 24, 2018). An opening panel discussion featuring four of the participating artists will be held at the Schmidt Center Gallery followed by a reception at the Ritter Art Gallery on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. The opening reception and all exhibitions are free and open to the public.

The emerging and under-recognized contemporary artists were selected from more than 250 artists recommended for the triennial exhibition. They reside in eight Southeastern states: Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.

To kick-off the fifth version of “southXeast,” participating Tampa-based artist Robert Aiosa has just completed a site specific installation in the Schmidt Center Gallery Public Space, a 22-foot high architecturally unique and challenging space leading to the Schmidt Center Gallery. Aiosa’s new piece for FAU is one of several he has created for other public institutional settings that he calls geometric hybrid structures influenced by and resembling forms found at construction sites and within existing architecture. He abstracts the built environment and mixes vernacular, high style, urban planning and history to showcase the diversity of architectural spaces we inhabit and pass through.

The 13 other participating artists, who work in a variety of media, including drawing, painting, installation, sculpture, performance and video, are: Doug Baulos (Alabama), Maysey Craddock (Tennessee), Rebecca Drolen (Arkansas), Rob Duarte (Florida), AnnieLaurie Erickson (Louisiana), Rachel Garceau (Georgia), Katie Hargrave (Tennessee), Kelly Kristin Jones (Georgia), Michelle Lisa Polissaint (Florida), John Powers (Tennessee), Rontherin Ratliff (Louisiana), Kathleen Thum (South Carolina), and Kristin Tordella-Williams (Mississippi). Several of the participating artists will travel to FAU to complete installations, engage with FAU visual arts students and present public programs.

“southXeast: Contemporary Southeastern Art” is a unique contribution to South Florida’s visual arts offerings as it complements and expands upon the region’s Miami-centered contemporary art scene. “southXeast” presents emerging and under-represented artists and is the only curated exhibition regularly presented in Florida to collectively present artists of the southeast region. The exhibition has been presented every third year since 2005 and has included 53 regional artists. The upcoming “southXeast” is co-curated by Rod Faulds, University Galleries Director, and Cynthia Stucki, FAU’17. The selected artists were chosen through a process of reviewing the work of artists recommended by curators, critics, contemporary art centers, past “southXeast” artists, and FAU art faculty.

Two other public programs will be presented in February 2018 in association with the exhibition including a lecture by nationally recognized curator Hamza Walker, director of LAXART, a contemporary art venue in Los Angeles and an evening of two half-hour lectures by two artists participating in “southXeast.” Dates and times of these February lectures are forthcoming.

The University Galleries at FAU are open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays, from 1 to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. Group and class tours are welcome during public hours as well as at other times scheduled by appointment. Gallery exhibitions are sponsored by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. For more information, call 561-297-2661, email galleries@fau.edu or visit www.fau.edu/galleries.

University Galleries programs are supported by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County; The State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and Florida Council on the Arts; Isadore and Kelly Friedman University Galleries Fund; and R.A. Ritter Foundation. Museum Education Programs are made possible by the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties; and the Kaye Arts Integration Endowment.

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