The Springfield Arts Commission is pleased to present an exhibition of papercuts by Cindy Stinson-Chenell. The show will run from September 5-30, 2019 with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m., Friday, September 13. The reception, which is open and free to the community, will treat visitors to light refreshments and live music by Bob Ragan.
Stinson-Chenell has always felt the need to draw and “make things”. While traveling in Switzerland, she saw modern papercuts for the first time and then taught herself how to design and cut in the traditional way; cutting only a folded paper so that both sides were identical. With a deep love of puzzles, Stinson-Chenell tries to cut each design out of just one piece of paper with all parts connected to the whole.
A member of the Guild of American Papercutters and trained as an art educator, Stinson-Chenell has lived and taught in Sweden, Columbia, and Germany. She credits the cut-outs of Matisse, graphic art of Eric Carle, prints of Sadao Watanabe and the folk art of the places she has visited as her influences. She cuts only her own designs, using only scissors and a paper punch for small holes and an occasional knife on heavy paper. Her papercut/collages are made from a combination of hand-painted tissue and traditional black papers.
The gallery reception is an opportunity to meet the artist and enjoy live music by Bob Ragan. After a career as an award winning high school band director and music supervisor, Ragan moved to Oregon and is following his love of jazz improvisation on a variety of woodwind instruments. He has performed with numerous big bands and university ensembles as a featured soloist.
About Springfield Arts Commission
The Springfield Arts Commission promotes artistic and cultural richness and diversity in the City of Springfield and assists in the preservation of the cultural heritage of the community as expressed through artistic endeavors. The Commission seeks to support opportunities for artistic creation, exhibits, performances and events, and to facilitate awareness, communication, education and collaboration to increase the accessibility of the arts and art-related resources in the community. The nine-member volunteer Commission manages City Hall Gallery, administers the Heritage Arts Grant program, maintains Art Alley, a collection of outdoor murals, and supports youth arts programs in collaboration with the Springfield Public Library. The Commission is funded by City of Springfield room taxes. More information is available at springfieldartscommission.org.