‘The Critics’ Show’ Introduces Underexposed Artists to Community

(The following news release comes from the . The exhibition runs April 19 through May 20. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. Saturday and noon through 5 p.m. Sunday. The opening reception is 6 to 8 p.m. April 26, with a panel discussion at 7 p.m.)

What makes art compelling and who are some artists to watch over the next couple years? This is a question that “The Critics’ Show” strives to answer.  Four critics, who are all local arts scene notables and practicing artists themselves-- Sean Smuda, Dan Noyes, Stephanie Xenos, and Andy DuCett, were asked to select artists who they felt are underexposed in the region and deserving of greater attention.  The resulting exhibition will cover a wide range of genres and styles. The show is on view starting April 19th. 

A reception on Thursday, April 26th will feature a panel discussion at 7:00 pm by the critics to explain the what moved them to select the artists on view.  The artists will also be on hand at the reception, providing an opportunity for guests to discuss their work with them.

Sean Smuda is an artist and curator living and working in Minneapolis. Last year he was appointed the Cultural Liaison to Minneapolis's sister city of Tours, France and Minnesota State Fair Photography Juror. He runs his non-profit gallery space The Shoebox Gallery, he has served on the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program panel at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and has had over twenty published articles.

Sean’s selected artists are: Katelyn Farstad, Nate Young, and John Fleishcher

Dan Noyes is a professor and a practitioner of architecture. He is the founder and academic dean of Vesper College.  He has been involved in teaching design for 15 years and is committed to bridging the gaps between design focuses.  The title he is most proud of however, is that of sculptor.

Noyes’ selected artists are: Shannyn Joy Potter, and Kevin Fitzke

Stephanie Xenos is a regular contributor to the arts section of Mpls/St Paul magazine. Stephanie has also written about visual arts for mnartists.org and the online journal Quodlibetica. In addition to arts writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in Arts and Cultural Leadership at the University of Minnesota and working on her first novel. 

Xenos’s selected artists are: Chuck Avery and Jenn Ackerman

Andy DeCett teaches at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. His work has been shown in galleries in around the US, as well as many Twin Cities locations. He has been published in New American Paintings, Vita.mn, Paper Darts, The Portland Mercury, Illiterate Magazine, DailyServing.com, as well as internationally. He recently was commissioned by the Walker Art Center to make a drawing for their First Free Saturday Program, and is included in the curated registry of the Drawing Center in New York City.

DeCett’s selected artists are: Allen Brewer, Ryuta Nakajima, Pamela Valfer

This exhibition is part of an ongoing series of free public exhibitions at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.  The Hopkins Center for the Arts welcomed over 210,000 visitors last year and is a focal point for arts, education, and entertainment in the center of downtown Hopkins.  The Arts Center builds community through the arts by fostering creative expression and providing artistic and educational opportunities for people of all ages.   For more information go to www.hopkinsartscenter.com.