Local artists looking for a space to work and exhibit will look no farther than the Artist Suites at Flashback Theater. The new location for Flashback Theater Co. (FbTC) on East Mount Vernon Street has space for private artist studios and public exhibitions, and will officially open with an exhibit by a local artist, Kasandra McNeil, titled Musical Palette; A Blend of Music and Art. The exhibit will be open to the public from May 1st through May 20th during the hours of 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and during any performances.
“I’m thrilled to be the first artist exhibiting in the Corner Gallery,” said Kasandra McNeil. “The topic of blending music and art is near and dear to me. This has given me the excuse to paint some of my favorite people in and around Somerset.”
Musical Palette will take place in the Corner Gallery, and a public reception will be held on Friday, May 11th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The reception will have live background music from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
McNeil is a juried member of Oil Painters of America, Sheltowee Artisans, Plein Air of the Bluegrass and Plein Air of Central Kentucky. She has an art studio at Artists’ Attic in Lexington as well as a studio in her home.
After studying art in college, McNeil had a varied career in journalism, photography and public relations. She and her family moved to her family farm in Cain’s Store in 2003 so she could paint and her husband, Bill, could play violin.
“Kentucky has proven to be a creative laboratory for my family,” said McNeil. “I have enjoyed the opportunities to stretch myself. It’s been great.”
McNeil focuses primarily on oil portraits, still life and landscapes. She also does a number of pencil sketch portrait commissions, which are sent throughout the United States.
Coinciding with the opening events of FbTC’s new performance space, the exhibit celebrates the blend of performance and visual arts. The performance events occurring throughout the month in the theater space next door include FbTC’s world premiere of Rosies: The Women Who Riveted the Nation (running May 3rd – 13th) and McNeil Music Center’s Spring Recital Festival (May 17th – May 20th).
Additionally, the Artist Suites at Flashback feature space for artists to work, and current artists in residence include: Brian Covert, visual artist; Jade Ellis, textile artist; Leann Perlowski, dance instructor; and Amber Frangos, playwright. Additional private studio and office spaces are available for artists at affordable rates.
For more information about the Artist Suites at Flashback, contact Sommer Schoch at [email protected] or by calling (888) 394-FBTC ext. 0.
Musical Palette; A Blend of Music and Art
The artwork of Kasandra McNeil
Location
The Corner Gallery at Flashback Theater
400 E. Mount Vernon St. Somerset, Kentucky
Dates and Times
May 1-20, 2018
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday
& during performances