The DCCA

The summer really never lasts long enough. August is here already which means Art on the Town will be this Friday. With a few exceptions the DCCA will be showcasing an entirely new group of exhibitions from this time last month. James Brantley’s representational cityscapes are on view in the Beckler Family Members’ Gallery. His paintings exude a quiet balance of energy and stillness. In many of the works buildings become landscape, as they seem to recede endlessly into a flattened meeting with the horizon where emotive skies take over. The palette most often reflects dark browns and grays, as well as other darkening hues appropriate for depicting city dwelling. Contrasting color then becomes a welcome relief as well as part of focus of the work. In some, like On the Corner, the sky displays the colors of the changing day, the brief hour or two where it becomes truly captivating. Other skies are calmer and the light comes from within the buildings in a seductive allusion to the seldom-depicted inhabitants. The juxtaposition of land and air creates the atmosphere in these pieces enabling varied sensations about the tranquility of metropolitan living.



James Brantley will be here on Friday for the exhibition opening and will give an informal gallery talk at 6:30. Of course, Art on the Town is always an opportunity to see the artists’ studios here, including Delainey Barclay and Jane Quartarone whose collaborative exhibition, Oasis, is also on view through the end of the month.

There will also be live music with guest musician Shaun Dougherty at 6 pm.
Hope to see you there!