June 2011

Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash, NC, Offers Works by Victor Gerloven

Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash, NC, is presenting the exhibit, Retrospective: the Gerloven Legacy, featuring works by Victor Gerloven on view through July 4, 2011. The show is being held in conjunction with the thirtieth anniversary of the Brunswick Arts Council, for which Gerloven served as president from 1987 until his death in June 2005.

Gerloven, who studied with abstract artist Mark Rothko in NY provided enthusiastic leadership for the Arts Council. For many years he taught a figure-drawing class in multiple mediums. He championed art programs in schools. He was the force behind the Council’s series of Art Symposiums where he prodded the public to ponder questions such as “What is art?”. With the help of wife Jeanne, who passed away in March 2007, he organized bus trips to museums featuring national exhibitions. His efforts did not go unnoticed. In 2001, Gerloven was the recipient of the NC Governor’s Award For Outstanding Volunteerism in Brunswick County.

Gerloven received his Bachelor of Arts and his Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College in NY. Before retiring to Brunswick County, Gerloven taught art in NY for more than 55 years. Throughout his career, the artist explored many different art styles and mediums. He said, “I work at art because I keep searching for what I don’t really know.”

Although Gerloven often taught realistic drawing techniques, he was best known for his abstracts. On his website, he said, “I paint emotion. I paint movement. I paint feelings. I use color as color. I paint color to make me feel angry or loving. I use pastels today, tomorrow oils and the next day watercolor. Whatever suits my feelings for the picture I am creating.”

Gerloven also said, “Rarely do I know what the picture will be when I start. As life changes inside and out so does my art work. Painting to me is a way of life, if not life itself.”

Jeanette Serens, current president of Brunswick Arts Council says, “Because of Victor’s and Jeanne’s dedication and perseverance, the arts have been advanced and made available to all art related organizations, communities and schools. They made a difference.”

Ginny Lassiter, owner of Sunset River Marketplace concurs. “I wanted to help Brunswick Arts Council celebrate their 30 year anniversary, and what better way to do that than by recognizing the talent, efforts and generosity of Victor Gerloven? He made Brunswick Arts Council a force in this county.”

Retrospective: the Gerloven Legacy will feature a range of watercolors, acrylics, monotypes and other works by the late artist. According to Howard Love, Gerloven’s son, a portion of proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to Brunswick Arts Council.

For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 910/575-5999 or visit (www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com)

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