Garner Arts Center invites the public to an evening of dialogue and discovery as the artists behind its two concurrent juried exhibitions come together for an intimate discussion on Thursday, August 14 at 6 PM. This special program marks the final week of Lucretius by Gordon Fearey and Gonna Build a Heaven From a Little Hell by Paul Christopher Conticelli and Arden Klemmer.
The conversation will explore how each artist approaches form, philosophy, and personal narrative—ranging from Fearey’s meditations on infinity and the finite, to Conticelli and Klemmer’s layered explorations of hope, resilience, and renewal. Attendees will hear firsthand about the ideas, processes, and inspirations that shaped the work, and have the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed, interactive setting.
About the Exhibitions
Gonna Build a Heaven From a Little Hell — Paul Christopher Conticelli & Arden Klemmer
https://paulchristopherart.com/|https://www.instagram.com/paulchristoph3r/#
https://ardenklemmer.com/
In the Ned Harris Gallery, Conticelli and Klemmer merge realist botanical painting, gestural abstraction, and text to envision a future where beauty overtakes destruction and liberation is born from entrapment. Visitors can contribute to the ongoing dialogue via an antique typewriter, while the gallery’s gentle light, ambient sounds, and lush greenery create a meditative atmosphere.
- Paul Christopher Conticelli’s internationally exhibited work defies labels, using abstraction to explore self-discovery, trauma, and transformation.
- Arden Klemmer’s paintings, sculpture, and interactive pieces examine patterns in nature, culture, and family, with a focus on “place” as both a confining boundary and a site of liberation.
Lucretius — Gordon Fearey
https://www.gordonfearey.com/
In the Main Gallery, Fearey’s Lucretius series draws on the Roman philosopher’s rejection of a cosmic center or edge, contemplating the relationship between finite human life and infinite space-time. His compositions invite viewers into what he calls “the landscape beyond the window frame.”
Event Details
Artist Talk: Thursday, August 14, 6 PM
Location: GARNER Arts Center, 55 West Railroad Avenue, Garnerville, NY
Admission: Free and open to the public
Gallery Hours: Friday 2–5 PM, Saturday & Sunday 1–5 PM
Exhibitions Close: August 17
School and community groups may schedule tours by calling (845) 947-7108.
