Join the Bainbridge Public Library for the July 2019 First Friday Art Walk, featuring artist Joanie Klorer

The Bainbridge Public Library is dedicated to spreading the joy of reading and the discovery of ideas with not just our local community, but with visitors from near and afar. In addition, the library is fortunate to house beautiful local works of art both inside and outside the building. Each month the library celebrates a local artist (or artists) with an exhibit, which opens monthly on the Island’s First Friday Art Walk tour, and includes a reception hosted by the featured artist.

Joanie Klorer will host a reception opening her exhibit, “Where I Come From: Memory and Place” on July 5th, 5-7pm for First Friday Art Walk.

Joanie grew up in a large Midwestern family, where her love of art began as a child. However, like many young artists, pursuing a career in art wasn’t to be, and she headed in a different direction. In 1985 she realized that she really didn’t care for living in the Midwest, and decided to start anew, quitting her job, selling her house and heading west to Seattle. For the next three decades, she dedicated her life to continuing her career as a Social Worker, counseling young children and their families. In her work as a counselor, she frequently used art as an avenue for the children to express their difficulties and resolve painful experiences.

Fifteen years ago, she decided to pick up the brushes again, but she was hesitant to invest too much money and time in the new venture, and instead bought one canvas and used leftover latex house paint. She worked on the piece for several years—an abstract about a storm she experienced in Kansas in 1976. The experience taught her how to express herself visually and inspired her to continue painting in a limited fashion. When she retired six years ago and moved to Bainbridge Island, she finally found herself with the time to dedicate to painting, taking classes and refining her art.

“Memory is uniquely selective about what adheres and what falls away. Memories can be sharply defined episodes recorded in detail, with specific feelings, and moving images. Other memories are fluid and often fragments of texture and color which may themselves trigger emotions. I think of memory as a shadow which lingers from encounters and places.”

Joanie has drawn on the techniques she used in her counseling career to paint her own memories, which she often finds are like a film on a continuous loop, playing over and over in her mind. Her paintings are an expression of those memories, especially as they are connected to where she grew up. She uses acrylics to create abstract expressionist pieces that she hopes will remind the viewer of their own remembrances and experiences.

Joanie’s work is available for sale at the Bainbridge Public Library throughout the exhibit. Although she does not have a website, if you wish to inquire about purchasing her work directly, contact her via email at jklmb@earthlink.net to schedule a viewing at her studio.

You can view Joanie’s exhibit throughout the month of July in the meeting room during regular library hours and on the library website, www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org. You can also listen to a podcast interview with Joanie at https://www.bestofbcb.org/arts-037-artist-joanie-klorer/

As always, thank you for supporting your Bainbridge Public Library and local artists. If you have interest in exhibiting your work, feel free to contact Linda Meier, art coordinator, at lindameier2000@gmail.com

***Library content and images provided by Linda Meier, Bainbridge Public Library and Joanie Klorer