Featuring:
Omar Abulsheikh, Douglas Allen, David Bremer, Joey Center, Casey Chrzan, Ruben Del Cid, Sam Dybeck, Sam Filicky, Myranda Gereau, Grace Gittelman, Ted Gram-Boarini, Laura Greenberg, Noel Herrera, Mikki Jay, Ashlea Karkula, Aaron Kleeblatt, Justin Leblanc, Cristina Marquez, Laura McManus, Mesoma Onyeagba, Mariam Pare, Julio Panisello, Jason Pickleman, John Phelan, Carol Pyes, Aly Raden, Annie Soler, Margie Smeller, Jewlya Sturtevant, Dave Thompson, Ricardo Vilas Freire, Michael Vita, Joshua With

Opening Reception:
Thursday, January 26th, 2023
5:00-8:00 pm.

Generally speaking, artists use their hands to make things. The hands are connected to arms which are connected to the torso….the same bodily elements that allow us to hug one another. Many have been moved beyond words when viewing particularly resonant works of art. What is it that touches us? Do the hands and arms of the artist remain concretized within an object?

Works of art operate prismatically; illuminating the economic and sociopolitical conditions in which they are made. And as viewers, we can understand artworks not only as indicators of these systems, but as analog recordings of the thoughts and feelings of the maker. Encoding the emotions and decision making processes into the various materials that are used. We can observe the sensitive touch, attenuation to color and surface held within a painting, sculpture or photograph. And these elements indicate the presence of the maker through the trace of their thoughts. This exhibition is a group hug, gathering together a cross section of generous makers and thinkers in order to highlight the ways in which visual forms of expression reach out to the viewer embodying the act of communal meaning making.

Perennial Hug is an annually occurring open call and guest juried exhibition that will feature artists of all demographics, and abilities. Through the deployment of various formal and material strategies the work selected for Perennial Hug functions as an assembly of outstretched arms awaiting the warm embrace of the viewer.

This year’s jurors were artist and activist Emily Barker, Tommy Ralph Pace of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and Gallerist Luis De Jesus.

***Gallery open by appointment only, to schedule a visit please email: circlecontemporary@artsoflife.org***

***IMPORTANT COVID PROTOCOL If you have recently tested positive for or are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you stay home. Masks are required for all attendees with proof of vaccination for anyone over the age of 12.***

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Tags: Aaron Kleeblatt, Aly Raden, Annie Soler, Ashlea Karkula, Carol Pyes, Casey Chrzan, Circle Contemporary, Circle Contemporary North Shore, contemporary art, Cristina Marquez, Dave Thompson, David Bremer, Douglas Allen, Glenview, Grace Gittelman, Jason Pickleman, Jewlya Sturtevant, Joey Center, John Phelan, Joshua With, Julio Panisello, Justin LeBlanc, Laura Greenberg, Laura McManus., Margie Smeller, Mariam Pare, Mesoma Onyeagba, Michael Vita, Mikki Jay, Myranda Gereau, Noel Herrera, Omar Abulsheikh, Perennial Hug, Ricardo Vilas Freire, Ruben Del Cid, Sam Dybeck, Sam Filicky, Ted Gram-Boarini