Gallery Exhibit: Archetypes, Myths and Folklore

Gaithersburg’s Arts on the Greenpresents “Myths, Archetypes and Folklore,” a curated exhibit exploring the mythic qualities of literary and symbolic imagery. The exhibit is on display from January 12 through February 19, 2018, at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 1:30 to 5 p.m. The public is invited to meet the artists during a free Artists Reception on Saturday, January, 27 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Storytelling has been a part of the human psyche since the beginning of mankind. Within this realm common themes emerged to help humans understand their place in the universal zeitgeist. These themes were often intertwined in the myths, archetypes and folklore of cultures, often being common to cultures far flung from one another. Creation stories, stories of adversity and heroes, salvation stories, folk and fairytales were created by all societies. Archetypes such as maiden, hero, monster, trickster, beast, and shadow are universal themes found in oral traditions, myths and folklore that helped create cultural identities.

Many artists draw on the aforementioned themes to inspire their work. This exhibit highlights representational painters, printmakers and sculptors who have drawn inspiration from this wealth of knowledge and symbolism. Featured artists include Maria Aragon, Amy Elizabeth Brock-Reed, Mickey Darby, Cyd Goodwin, Andrea McCluskey, Phyllis Mayes, Anne Quinlan, Lisa Aerianna Tayerle, Stephen Towns, and Homer Yost. The artists hail from Montgomery County, Frederick County, Northern Virginia, Baltimore, and Pennsylvania.

The Arts Barn Gallery will feature scavenger hunts for children and adults to help them learn more about the images they are viewing. School groups are encouraged to take part in this educational component and enjoy the scavenger hunts or use the images as inspiration for stories they create that fit the exhibit’s themes. This exhibit coincides with The Reluctant Dragon, providing theater goers the opportunity to take part in the scavenger hunt or search for how many dragons are in the exhibit pictures.

Please note that some of the artwork is for sale and all images are copyrighted by the artists.

The Arts on the Green visual arts program is funded in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). To discover more about MSAC grants and how they impact Maryland’s arts sector, visit www.msac.org.