Future Exhibitions
POSTPONED AT THIS TIME
November 2, 2020 – December 29, 2020.
Artist Bio
Fritz Hoppe’s art career began in the mid 1990’s during early childhood. As the son of full-time artists, he had been exposed to the sculpting process at a very young age. This allowed Fritz to develop his talents into skills while learning techniques and processes necessary for creating high quality pieces. Spending time in the studio taught Fritz the engineering aspects of sculpting, such as using accurate measurements, scaling, and building structurally sound armatures. This knowledge gives Fritz an edge in sculpting because applying skills to the processes allows him to produce any project, no matter how complex or large it may be. Now he has developed some of his own creative techniques in the process of creating bronze sculptures.
In 2012, at age 18, Fritz produced his first bronze piece, the quarter size Rocky Mountain Elk. Although he had previously sculpted many small pieces in clay, Rocky Mountain Elk was the first of his works cast in bronze. Later that year, he went on to produce Bison Hunter, having it cast in bronze at age 19. Then in 2013, he had produced two more sculptures, including Primitive Man (a contemporary work) and his best selling piece, Plains Hunter (a realistic work). Pieces from each of these additions have found their way into people’s homes.
Fritz was invited by the Columbus Arts Council to display all four sculptures in their monthly exhibition in the fall of 2015. A reception was held on October 17th, 2015. He and his high school art teacher, Nancy Shadle, brought the largest crowd to ever attend a monthly Columbus Art’s Council reception with their art works.
In 2016, Hoppe received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Having taken elective classes in the art history department has allowed him to further his knowledge and understanding of art. Putting together the creative and historical aspects of the industry, along with the business side of things, has added even more opportunity to Hoppe’s art career. He plans to continue producing more works while experimenting with the creative process.Artist Statement
Putting thought, words, and emotion into a work of art has been my greatest strength. I was very fortunate to be born with an art talent from a long bloodline of gifted artists, from my mother’s and father’s families. I have been even more fortunate as to have instructors who have taught me how to act upon this talent by building skills in drawing, sculpting, and painting. They have assisted me in developing a strength in art making, something I will forever be grateful for. Studying art from the Renaissance to the Western art of America has given me additional skill and knowledge in the field. Putting everything together, old and new, has led to a well-rounded ability to create in different style and mediums.
Constructing the perfect piece is not just about size, space, or color; it involves bringing a vision into reality. Proportions, values, and anatomy may be accurate, but if the result is not what I envisioned, the piece will lack the life I wanted to give it. My best works have been the result of an idea developed within seconds of an inspiration. I may add to a piece or slightly alter it, but changing it altogether never seems to work well, regardless of the medium. In my opinion, my best work to this day, the Plains Hunter, was an impulsive idea. It occurred unexpectedly, at a time when I was not necessarily looking for any creative inspiration.
Envisioning the Plains Hunter was not the result of tediously sifting through sketches or brainstorming ideas, but rather a spontaneous inspiration I experienced while walking through a dark museum. The dim lights revealed a massive mural painted on the wall. It was a sunset scene depicting the silhouette of a Native American man, standing in contrapposto gazing out at the land. Flocks of geese covered a sunset sky as his shadowed figure stood beneath them. His familiar landscape was a riverside marsh, like the one near my home in Nebraska. I immediately saw an opportunity in emulating this man’s silhouette. What was only a shape was sculpted into a physical form. My high school art instructor, Nancy Shadle, stopped by after completion of this piece. She peered into the hunter’s eyes, and gave me a nice compliment by saying, “You captured his soul.”
Passion for history, culture, and nature is what drives my artwork. Hiking across a North American Landscape allows one to imagine who else might have crossed it. The people and animals of an older time may be gone, but their presence and culture lives in the land and in our history. Awareness is the key to preserving what the earth and its inhabitants provide. It is crucial that mankind learn from the past in order to give hope for the future.
Combining my knowledge of history with inspiration from the countryside allows me to develop a connection between myself and that artwork I create. Michelangelo, Russell, and Remington are among the many great storytelling artists one can learn from. Analyzing works of the old masters, the western artists of America, or even a modern sculptor near my home reveals there is an important story to be told, in which words alone cannot describe.
Artist Bio
I am a full time process based artist over the last 6 years. Born in 1957 in the Netherlands I received bachelors in science, communication and arts and journalism, worked as journalist, editor-in-chief and event organizer. I emigrated to the USA in 2006.
Art By Chrisje Original Paintings and Sculptures by Maquoketa Artist Chrisje
My works unearth our connection with the natural environment and our artificial interference with it. I create art that critically looks at societal structures and systems of injustice. This process is motivated by intentionality to create works that are cognizant of the reality we live in and driven by my passion to bring awareness to my community and change to society.
My personal experiences, my love for humanity and nature, and my hope for world peace is reflected in my art practice. We should all take action in contributing to a more equal and just world and celebrate its already
existing natural beauty.Meet the Artist
I know, I know, you came all the way to the gallery because you want to meet the artist in person and now she is not there: So let me introduce myself, I am Chrisje. Everything you see in this show is part of me, combine them and you find a person as diverse as her art is, engaged, colorful, intriguing, raw with a cultivated edge; but above all, honest without filters.
Please enter and meet the artist at the Maquoketa Art Experience through my art.
***(Pictures on the website are “thumbnail” representations of actual pieces)
2020 the year of the 100th Anniversary
of
Women’s Suffrage in America
While we celebrate the women who led the struggle, and honor all women who inspired them, Maquoketa Art Experience would like to commemorate this historic event in our history by featuring Women Artists from the Midwest.
February 6 – April 2, 2020
Artist ReceptionSunday, February 9, 2020 | 2:00 – 4:00pm
BiographyDavid Zahn lives and works in Moline, Illinois. Originally from the Chicago area, he has been creating art work for many years. David creates imaginative sculptures, and is known for his bronze and ceramic pieces. His figure based art works are interesting to look at containing some sort of mystery in them. Movement is another important aspect of David’s art. He likes to create intriguing juxtapositions of static and flowing forms in his imagery. Works by David Zahn can be found in public, private, and corporate collections. There are many pieces of his art on permanent public display both indoors, and out doors, in Iowa, Illinois and other locations.
Artist Statement
As an artist who has been creating works for many years, there are some aspects of my pieces that are apparent. The human form has always been a major element in my work. Integrating images of people and blending them with abstract forms has been a long lasting direction in my art. I strive to create a feeling of timelessness and a strong emotional element in each piece. I make finished works in bronze, ceramic, and other materials as needed. I love to do commissions for individuals, or organizations. Creating a realistic portrait, or a one of a kind art work for a specific purpose is always an exciting endeavor for me.
I also like to have a bit of mystery in my art, so don’t be surprised if you can’t figure out exactly what is going on. My work is imaginative, thought provoking, and surrealistic at times, so the viewer has to make some of their own conclusions.
May 1 – June 30, 2021
The Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild was organized in 1983 to educate and encourage members in the quilting arts; encourage high standards in color, design, and construction of the quilted medium; and to stimulate interest in quilting in the community.