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Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Arts Center presents "Icarus Rising: Lessons from the Bees," exhibit through July 31

HANCOCK -- The Community Arts Center presents a new exhibit, "Icarus Rising: Lessons from the Bees," encaustic and beeswax collage and assemblages by Melissa Hronkin.

This piece by Melissa Hronkin, part of the current exhibit at the Community Arts Center in Hancock, is titled "Triptych in Frames from the Hive." (Photo by Gustavo Bourdieu)

Intimate in scale, this body of work (a sequel to work made 10 years ago) explores the use of beeswax as an art medium. The Mass City artist and beekeeper uses images depicting bees, beekeepers, the history of beekeeping, the lore surrounding this collaboration between humans and nature and human interrelationships.

"The sacred and sensual aspect of honey and beeswax is an area of interest for me," Hronkin writes in her statement about the work. "This new work is kind of a personal return to the 'quest,' the rising of Icarus, whose wings failed him because the wax that was holding them together melted when he flew too close to the sun."

"Sister Bee" is the title of this work by artist and teacher Melissa Hronkin, who is also a beekeeper. (Photo by Gustavo Bourdieu)

The exhibit will be on display in the Kerredge Gallery through July 31. The public is invited to come and meet the artist at a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 10.

This exhibit is supported by a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. For more information call (906) 482-2333 or visit the website www.coppercountryarts.com.

Hronkin, who teaches art at Ontonagon High School, will offer a workshop -- "An Introduction to Experimental Encaustics and Beeswax collage" -- from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, at the Community Arts Center in Hancock. Since space is limited, interested persons should pre-register soon. Participants will learn about the history and contemporary uses of pigmented beeswax and create several small-scale pieces. The cost is $40 and includes all supplies. Call 482-2333 to sign up.

To learn more about encaustics or to view examples of artworks, please visit http://www.melissa-hronkin.blogspot.com/.

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