Then & Now 2008:
Works by Willie Marlowe, Charles Steckler and Mary Pat Wager
Beginning August 5 and running through September 12, Albany Center Gallery
will open up it's doors to feature original artworks by Willie Marlowe,
Charles Steckler, and Mary Pat Wager. Together, these artists capture three
distinctive disciplines of art: painting, mixed media, and sculpture. The
gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, Noon to 5 p.m. There is an opening
reception in conjunction with 1st Friday on Friday, September 5th. Albany
Center Gallery is located at 39 Columbia Street in downtown Albany, across
from Tricentennial Park.
Willie Marlowe has exhibited her paintings in solo, juried and invitational
exhibitions within the U.S. and abroad. Known for her bright fluorescent
palette, Marlowe creates abstract representations heavily influenced by
ancient art and archaeology. Within each of her paintings she explores the
use of color, detail and space. She states, "I find that painting is
an unfolding journey that leads to incremental discovery rather rather than
a certain path to a predetermined destination." Marlowe received her
M.F.A. from the University of Idaho and her bachelor’s degree from
East Carolina University. Marlowe was a professor at Sage College of Albany
in the Department of Visual Arts for more than twenty years.
Charles Steckler has exhibited
his work in numerous solo and group exhibitions. He has also designed stage
sets for over 90 shows. Steckler applies his knowledge of art through a
vast array of media. Using photography, drawings, collages, dioramas and
theatrical stage design, he utilizes items from our lost consumer culture.
Steckler creates three-dimensional collages of "things too worthless
save." "With this matter I play formal games of selection and
arrangement: piecing, joining, layering; looking for equilibrium and perhaps
a story." Charles Steckler received his bachelor’s degree from
Queens College and his master’s from Yale University. Currently, he
is a professor of Theater at Union College.
Mary Pat Wager, a resident of East Greenbush, is known for her broad range
of sculptural steelworks. With her sculptures, Wager captures the strength
and malleability of steel. Her focus within the medium also becomes clear
through her use of intricate detail. Each of her works becomes a play on
balance between capturing fleeting movements and defining the structure
of steel. The range of Wager’s expressive works is perpetual, stemming
from the diverse variety of metals she uses. Wager has earned her master’s
degree in studio arts from the University at Albany.
