WAGE Rock ’n’ Roll Show features 19 works by 15 artists

Wayne Artists Group Effort invites the community to attend its free Rock 'n' Roll Show running Jan. 15 through Feb. 5 at Wayne Center for the Arts, 237 S. Walnut St., Wooster. The hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be an opening night public reception at the art center Thursday, Jan. 15 from 5-7 p.m. Many of the artists will be present to discuss their work, and light refreshments will be served. No reservations are needed.

Pat Anderson, WAGE member and curator of the rock 'n' roll exhibit, said WAGE was started in the 1980s by Susan Shie and Lissa Kane as a support group for visual artists.

“We meet monthly to share our work and support each other,” she said. “We work as a group to have a yearly show.”

The first exhibit was held in 1987, and there has been a show nearly every year since.

The show will feature 19 pieces created by 15 artists. The art represented includes paintings, collage, ceramics, assemblage, fiber, sculpture and a kinetic sculpture. Some of the pieces will be for sale.

“The show has a variety of media including some unusual media such as liquid charcoal, rust and rainbow obsidian, which will make the show very enjoyable,” Anderson said.

WAGE shows are not juried.

“WAGE believes in artistic growth from support, creating and exhibiting,” Anderson said.

The show's theme was chosen by members from their suggestions. Once chosen, the artists begin their works. All entries into the show must have been recently created after the theme is announced. After the artwork is completed, one piece is chosen by a vote of the WAGE members to represent the show on the posters, invitation and social media.

The piece chosen this year is a painting of Mick Jagger, "50 Years My Muse,” by artist Kristin Lorson, a member of WAGE since 2012.

“Having my art voted by my peers to be the poster art to represent our show is a big honor for me,” she said. “But what makes it even more spectacular is that this year’s show theme is rock 'n' roll. My whole reason for becoming an artist was because of my love for Mick Jagger beginning at the age of 10.”

Lorson said her older sister introduced her to rock 'n' roll, more specifically The Rolling Stones. Raising herself as a latchkey kid with divorced parents in the 1970s, she said, “Mick Jagger is where I found my identity. I managed to escape into my music, which gave me that sense of having a foundation. It was my constant. As an artist we tend to gravitate to what connects us to life, inspires us and moves us into action to create. For me, I have a very deep connection to music — our life soundtrack. Through music we find a sense of self. Sometimes it’s empowering. It can give us courage, peace, a friend.”

Lorson previously painted a portrait of Jagger that was purchased by the owner of Blackbird Records in Mansfield. Her painting now hangs in the store.

Any area artists interested in learning more about joining WAGE may contact any member. WAGE can be found on Facebook.

“This show is going to be very interesting because the artists can interpret the theme any way that they would like,” Anderson said. “Since artists are creative thinkers, the art in the show is very creative and interesting. These artists all have busy lives, and they have taken the time and worked many hours to share their souls with the viewers.”

“Our group is very diverse, and all of the entries were created just for this theme,” Lorson said. “It's incredible to see what everyone came up with.”