From staff reports
Architectural Accents II, an exhibit featuring 29 paintings by award-winning watercolor artist Robert Steinmetz, will be on display through May 26 at USCB Center for the Arts (Small Gallery).
As a practicing architect in Connecticut for 27 years prior to his career as an artist, Mr. Steinmetz followed the design dictates of the post-WWII “modern movement.”
This meant the philosophy of “Form follows function,” the use of new building materials and technologies, and above all, a total absence of any decorative elements in building design.
When he retired as a professional in 1990, moved to Maine, and took up watercolor painting, Steinmetz continued with his interest in architecture, but only with existing buildings from eras prior to the “modern movement.”
The reason being that all man-made structures in that time frame included and depended on decoration in many forms. Steinmetz soon discovered that watercolor is the perfect artistic media to depict the “subtleties of shade and shadow,” which is the essence of all three dimensional decorative design. Architecture based on decorative design concepts provide an expansive and expressive world of painting subject matter. Steinmetz has assembled a show of paintings highlighting this world, from examples he has found in his travels near and far.
Eighteen of the show’s paintings are part of an ongoing series focusing on carefully chosen decorative elements in a specific building’s façade. These paintings are all the same size, with a consistent format, and matching frames. They can be combined effectively in groups of two or more.
The show opens with a reception for the artist from 5:30to 7 p.m., Friday, May 6 and will continue through Thursday, May 26, 2022. Visit www.robertsteinmetzart.com for additional information and examples of his work.
WANT TO GO?
What: Architectural Accents II Exhibit
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through May 26. Opening reception is 5:30 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 6.
Where: USCB Center for the Arts (Small Gallery), 801 Carteret Street
Tickets: Free and open to the public.
More info: Go to our website, USCBCenterForTheArts.com
