Patrons explore entries on opening day of the Kingman Center for the Arts’ new themed show, “Contrast,” now on display through July 5. Allen Scott
KINGMAN — The Kingman Center for the Arts Art Gallery has opened its newest themed exhibition, and this time the spotlight is on “Contrast.” While the phrase “another opening, another show” is usually reserved for the stage, the gallery is embracing that same sense of debut energy as local artists present their interpretations of the theme.
Gallery mission coordinator Carol Campbell said the call for entries encouraged artists to think beyond the traditional idea of black‑and‑white imagery.
“Basically for this show, we looked for not just black and white — although some of them are that — but contrast in the value of a color, how deep it is or how light it is,” Campbell said. “Maybe contrast in the subject matter, so the contrast values were varied.”
That broad definition opened the door to a wide range of artistic approaches. Some artists planned their pieces meticulously. Others, like painter Alexis Nelson, embraced spontaneity.
“Everything I paint, I like to be really bold and kind of different from what you see from anybody else,” Nelson said. “I kind of just start painting and see where it takes me. I don’t always have a plan, and that’s how this happened.”
Nelson’s piece incorporates her signature love of pink, layered with abstract shapes and color fields. To meet the show’s theme, she added a stark border.
“I love pink, obviously, so I just started doing pink and a lot of different abstract shapes and colors,” she said. “And then for a contrast, I thought the black and white border would be a good, bold contrast to it.”
The gallery rotates its themes regularly, giving both artists and visitors something new to look forward to.
“We change about every six to seven weeks,” Campbell said. “This exhibit runs through July 5, and following this exhibit, we will have a special exhibition of ‘Featured Artists.’ There should be probably five artists that are picked from our group of artists, and they will show more of their own work.”
“Contrast” is now on display at the Kingman Center for the Arts Art Gallery on Beale Street in downtown Kingman through July 5.
Allen Scott
