Life

'Child's Play' opens Thursday at Flat Rock gallery

Don Greeson is one of the artists displaying work in the whimsical 'Child's Play' at the Gallery at Flat Rock.

By Bill Moss, Published: June 7, 2021

The Gallery at Flat Rock is presenting a lighthearted group exhibit focused on objects and materials that are iconic to childhood and playtime.

“Child’s Play” will feature the work of local artists Don Greeson, Jean Greeson, Janet Hickey and Janet Orselli.
“Each of these artists do a great job of capturing a sense of the creative joys and play-filled days of childhood,” said Suzanne Camarata, owner of The Gallery at Flat Rock. “The timing of this fun show couldn’t be better after such a difficult year.”
The show opens with a reception at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at the gallery, at 2702A Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, and runs through June 27.

Painter Don Greeson sought out original packaging of a variety of everyday items from bygone eras to use as subjects for his paintings.
“My subject matter tends to be somewhat nostalgic, featuring vintage toys or familiar antiques,” he says. “Most of my paintings tell a story, designed to inspire memories of youthful imagination and innocent fun.”
Don’s wife Jean has a similar take on things in her clay sculptures.
“I try not to take my sculpting too seriously, and have fun playing with clay as I did when I was a child,” Jean says. “Whimsical and humorous, it reflects my passion for animals, flowers and color…which hopefully takes viewers back to the days when their minds were more open, creative and free.”
The quietly enigmatic assemblage sculptures by Janet Orselli, which feature carefully structured objects, also evoke lost days of carefree play. The discarded objects she finds to create her artwork often have the visible wear and tear from the hands of the children that once treasured them. Creating new life for the objects, mostly of wood and other organic materials, is a point of fascination for Janet.
Janet Hickey, who creates diminutive mixed media sculptures, takes playful irreverence to the next level. “Ready for Spring” (at only 9 inches tall) encapsulates the child-like enthusiasm of swimming for the first time in warm weather, even if it’s just in a plastic kiddie pool.
To learn more, please visit galleryflatrock.com or call 828-698-7000.