Perceive Me, a group show curated and conceived by Kristine Schomaker is both a brave and beautiful exhibition. An artist herself, Schomaker served as a model for these works as well, with the result potent and moving. Her concept was to invite artists to create nude images of her, through photography, sculpture, mixed media, painting, and drawing.

The cumulative effect of seeing so many variations on one subject is fascinating – for the viewer, it is like looking at many different facets of the same gem – the colors shift in certain lights, the shape and angle may vary by direction, but each piece sparkles with life. There is an intrinsic sense of joy in many of the pieces, of introspection in others.

Susan Amorde’s sculptural image, hands upraised, is nothing short of triumphant. Serena Potter’s depiction of Schomaker in a bathing suit and flowered bathing cap, bent before a pool, is one of the few clothed images in the exhibition. It is a standout not because of this, but because of its graceful depiction of a woman viewing her own reflection, half-bowed in introspection, but just maybe in gratitude for her own being. Debbie Korbel’s large-scale sculpture is wild and royal; L. Aviva Diamond offers both a circumspect, thoughtful black and white photographic facial portrait of Schomaker, and an almost sculptural depiction of her posterior. Janet Milholme, Diane Cockerill, John Waiblinger, Jeffrey Sklan, and Jane Szabo each offer strikingly different, revealing photographic work.

Photos by Dani Dodge

Tony Pinto’s large scale painting vibrates with life and color; so too do Dani Dodge’ swarm desert landscapes that include Schomaker with Mojave boulders. Bibi Davidson’s almost surreal yet icon-like image is fused with her signature reds. Daena Title’s watery image is a vision of blues. Sheli Silverio’s work is delicate, transcendent; as is Anna Stump’s lovely and colorful work, and the etching of Debby and Larry Kline with a background of royal blue.

Kate Kelton and Kate Savage attire the artist with headdresses. Bradford J. Salamon and Donna Bates bedeck Schomaker in props that depict her power and strength.

From Catherine Ruane’s meticulous, meditative graphite work to the vibrant colors of paintings by Daggi Wallace and Betzi Stein, the work here is dazzling in its variety and scope. With too many to mention, the grace, humor, and pure talent of the show overall aches to be seen.

Schomaker has said that the takeaway she hopes for viewers is to “feel free… to be different, unique, authentic and to not hide from others or themselves.” Certainly, her fearlessness is a powerful example.

Bathing Cap by Serena Potter

The exhibition closes with an artists’ panel on February 22^nd.

Participating artists include: Amanda Mears, Anna Kostanian, Anna Stump, Ashley Bravin, Austin Young, Baha Danesh, Betzi Stein, Bibi Davidson, Bradford J Salamon, Caron G Rand, Carson Grubaugh, Catherine Ruane, Chris Blevins-Morrison, Christina Ramos, Cynda Valle, Daena Title, Daggi Wallace, Dani Dodge, Debbie Korbel, Debby/Larry Kline, Debe Arlook, Diane Cockerill, Donna Bates, Elizabeth Tobias, Ellen Friedlander, Emily Wiseman, Geneva Costa, Holly Boruck, J Michael Walker, Jane Szabo, Janet Milhomme, Jeffrey Sklan, Jesse Standlea, John Waiblinger, Jorin Bossen, K Ryan Henisey, Karen Hochman Brown, Kate Kelton, Kate Savage, Kerri Sabine-Wolf, Kim Kimbro, L Aviva Diamond, Leslie Lanxinger, Mara Zaslove, Marjorie Salvaterra, Martin Cox, Monica Sandoval, Nancy Kay Turner, Nurit Avesar, Phung Huynh, Rakeem Cunningham, Serena Potter, Sheli Silverio, Susan Amorde, Susan T. Kurland, Sydney Walters, Tanya Ragir, Tony Pinto, Vicki Walsh.