"Spring in Clay and Ribbon," a collaborative exhibit of artwork by sisters, Mary and
Kathleen Dennis opens April 5 at Akimbo Gallery, 175 N. Main Street, Bowling Green.The exhibit will feature
ceramics by Mary Dennis and works in fiber by Kathleen Dennis. An opening reception will take place at the
gallery April 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in conjunction with First Friday Gallery Hop. The exhibit will
continue through April 27.This exhibit arose from a conversation between the sisters and developed into a
body of work representing a dual interpretation of spring. The result is a blend of Mary Dennis’s ceramics
and Kathleen Dennis’s fiber pieces celebrating the prevailing season.Mary Dennis’s contributions include
ceramic vessels that reflect new life and new beginnings often associated with springtime. Included are
fancifully decorated lidded jars reminiscent of the "look-inside" Easter eggs from her childhood,
colored ceramic eggs, and colorful vases to hold spring flowers and some little surprises sure to bring
sunshine to folks under the spell of the winter blahs.Mary Dennis has been creating pottery since 2005,
honing her skills through a variety of classes and workshops. She maintains a pottery studio in the Old
South Main School, 437 S. Main Street, Bowling Green. Mary Dennis makes functional as well as decorative
pieces in stoneware and porcelain. She mixes all her glazes herself and fires her clay pieces in a mid-range
oxidation environment using an electric kiln.Kathleen Dennis has had a lifetime interest in both nature and
fibers. Her college experiences developed her love of biology but also provided her with the unique
opportunity to work in costume design and construction where she learned how to use the textures, colors and
design of fabrics to create costumes ranging from the historical to the avant garde. This juxtaposition of
biological science and work with fabric and fiber has continued throughout her adult life.Artistically, it
has led Kathleen Dennis to interpret nature within the context of fabric and related materials. Her work in
this exhibit asks the question, "What if nature didn’t determine the colors or ‘fiber’ of life through
natural selection?" Natural selection is the process by which organisms evolve and adapt to their
surroundings over time acquiring attributes that promote their survival. This process resulted in the
diversity of color, form and texture we observe in our environment today. "But," Kathleen asks,
"what if organisms could choose the colors of their world including their feathers and habitats, shape
and texture. How would the world appear without the pressure of natural selection?"Akimbo Gallery is
open from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Friday. For more
information, call (419) 806-9116.
