Personal Grounds by Susan Lenz Opens at the City Gallery

CHARLESTON, SC – August 11, 2010 – The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents Personal Grounds, a solo exhibition by installation and fiber artist Susan Lenz, during the annual MOJA Arts Festival at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau Street in historic Charleston, S.C. The public is invited to an opening reception on Friday, September 10, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The mixed-media installation features 48 free-motion machine-embroidered chiffon banners hanging from the center of the gallery ceiling and a series of more than 100 portraits depicting every day people and the decisions they’ve made.  Included in the exhibit are works entitled, Atheist, Living with HIV, Overcoming Domestic Abuse, Argentine Tango Dancer, Nudist, and Hitch Hiker.  The portraits are photo transfers on tea-stained muslin with hand stitching. Several mixed-media works will also be on display.

The artist’s statement for this exhibition is simply:  Personal Grounds is a location in life. It is the place in which one exists as a result of doors opened, keys turned, and decisions made.

Lenz will host an artist lecture on Saturday, October 2 at 2 p.m.  The exhibit is open Sept. 10 to Oct. 10, 2010. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 12noon to 5 p.m.

• Top right image: Vintage Clothing Vendor, Xylene photo transfer on tea-stained muslin. Hand stitched and beaded. 25 x 19 unframed; 31 x 25 framed.
• Top left image: Runaway, Xylene photo transfer on tea-stained muslin. Hand embroidered and beaded. 25 x 19 unframed; 31 x 25 framed.
• Above right image: Missing Holly, Xylene photo transfer on tea-stained muslin. Hand embroidered and beaded. Unframed: 25 x 19; Framed 31 x 25.

The City Gallery at Waterfront Park

The City Gallery at Waterfront Park, owned by the City of Charleston and operated by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, is a venue for contemporary artwork that is new, vital and innovative, with a focus on broadening Charleston’s arts outlook.  The City Gallery provides access to the visual arts for everyone in Charleston, S.C., visitors and residents alike, by offering exhibits that are all admission-free. The City Gallery is located at 34 Prioleau St. in downtown Charleston, S.C., and gallery hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.  For more information, please call or e-mail the City Gallery at (843) 958-6484 or [email protected] and visit www.charlestonarts.sc.