Artist/curator issues call to artists
The “Freedom: The Spirit Within” exhibition will go on display in September at the Brick City Center for the Arts.
“Freedom” by Lisa Russo. [Photo courtesy of the artist]
Freedom. What does it mean to you, especially if you are an artist?
Local artist and arts educator Lisa Russo, in partnership with the Marion Cultural Alliance, is issuing a call to artists to express what freedom means to them in their own artistic perspective. Russo will be curating the “Freedom: The Spirit Within” judged exhibition in September at the Brick City Center for the Arts.
“The show will be in September, being 25 years of Sept. 11 and 250 years of the USA. I am a local art educator for the Appleton Museum of Art and Belleview High School and felt that this will give local artists a chance to express their personal views of freedom,” Russo said via email.
She said the idea for the show came from her 83-year-old mother, “who was just talking to me on the phone before the meeting at the Brick. Always trying to encourage me, she said, ‘You should paint horses.’ I said Mom, ‘I’m a figurative painter.’ Then, in her encouraging way, she said, ‘You should paint flags, people love flags.’ I was about to dissuade her and then I said, ‘Mom, that is a great idea,’” Russo shared.
Russo noted that as she was thinking about the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, as well as the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, her mother’s idea about painting flags resounded with her.
“My daughter and I weight train, and I knew she would be the perfect model to represent the strength of our country. In addition, when I went to Brick City to talk to them about a date for my personal work in February, they said they had September open. The phone call with my mom happened directly before the meeting at the Brick so the idea fell into place,” Russo explained.
She said she decided to curate the show since “there are very few opportunities for up-and-coming artists to show their work, other than festivals, which is a large investment of time and money.”
“As Belleview High School’s art teacher and an instructor at the Appleton Museum of Art, I tell my students that once they leave school they need to transition from beginner artists into professional shows. This is a great steppingstone for amateur, student and aspiring artists to get their work critiqued, judged and have an opportunity to sell their work,” Russo said.
According to the Marion Cultural Alliance call to artist page, “Freedom means something different to each of us. It can be found in our personal journeys, creative expression, relationships, beliefs, memories, aspirations and everyday lives. This exhibition invites artists to explore and interpret the concept of freedom through their unique perspectives and artistic voices.
“Artists are encouraged to consider themes of self-expression, resilience, identity, hope, possibility, remembrance and the enduring human spirit. Works inspired by America’s 250th Anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of September 11 are welcome, but participation is not limited to those subjects. The goal of this exhibition is to celebrate the many ways freedom is experienced, understood and expressed.”
The show is open to local and regional artists working in all mediums, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, mixed media, digital art and fine craft. MCA membership is not required to enter. Entries must be submitted by Aug. 16.
“I will be judging the show since I have a Master of Fine Arts and Master of Education along with judging for Alachua County, Citrus County and the Art League of Daytona,” Russo said. “There is a monetary prize for Best of Show, and ribbons for first through fifth, along with honorable mentions.”
“Freedom: The Spirit Within” will be on display Sept. 4-26, with an opening reception set for 5 p.m. Sept. 4, which is free to attend. On Sept. 19, Russo will conduct a “Draw Like the Masters” workshop from 1 to 4 p.m., for a fee.
To learn more, go to sept2026.artcall.org and mcaocala.org
Find a previous “Ocala Gazette” feature article about Russo here: Lisa Russo, unmasked | Ocala Gazette
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