Flourish
People trickled in to see an art gallery set up by two University of North Texas graduate students on Sept. 17 at the Patterson Appleton Art center in Denton, Tx.
Courtney DiMare and Brianna Shimer used their unique materials of copper and ceramics to hand-craft flowers, pottery, and garments in the exhibit they titled “Flourish.” The exhibit will be open through Dec. 4, featuring 18 pieces of art they designed by themselves or worked on together.
Photos by Heather Aldridge
“Flourish is an exhibition celebrating many years of practiced craft,” DiMare said. “The two of us are very passionate about our process and abilities within the materials we have chosen for ourselves.”
The Greater Denton’s Art Council was delighted to provide space for the two artists to show off their collaborative designs.
“Brianna Shimer is now in her second exhibition here at the Arts Council with her MFA candidate colleague Courtney DiMare,” Jenny Bates, event coordinator at the Greater Denton Arts Council said. “At GDAC we help share their talent with our communities, giving them shows to include in their resumes.”
DiMare’s delicately crafted flowers of copper entwine with Shimer’s ceramic designs to create an ensemble of soft colors on the wall. DiMare and Shimer sipped on glasses of wine as they chatted with those that attended, creating a sense of community in the small space.
“I hope that everyone will come to the work, examine, and wonder, then come up with their own conclusions,” DiMare said. “I'm just happy to bring more awareness to the field of contemporary craft within art.”
DiMare wore one of the garments she molded with copper, a simple bronze armor with an intricate flower design that she claimed was the most comfortable of the creations she considered for the event.
Shimer and DiMare explained how they wanted those who saw their work to appreciate the hand-crafted details they established.
“I definitely always feel like there is a sense of accomplishment and appreciation for what you’re looking at but also a sense of nostalgia for the handmade because we live in a world
where everything is so industrialized,” Shimer said. “We really value how things are made and the integrity behind our material.”
UNT undergraduate student Courtney Shalts wandered into the studio in search of a way to pass time in Denton that day. She was not disappointed by the gallery’s exquisite projects.
“I found it fascinating and inspiring to see mediums used that I never contemplated being used in that way,” Shalts said.
The exhibit drew in an older crowd of people, with a few college-age students wandering in to view the designs. Their work was viewed by over 30 people as the event progressed.