BETHLEHEM, PA—The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) Visual Arts Department is proud to present the work of professional artist, Dorian Vallejo, in an exhibition titled
“The Unconscious Call to Adventure and the Poetry of Life” with a free Opening Reception on September 3, 2021, from 6-8 PM as part of the Bethlehem Southside Arts District’s First Friday celebration. This impressive exhibition features close to 30 works showcasing a selection of large and small paintings, plus several drawings.
According to Vallejo, “The overall theme uniting this work is a positive, optimistic view of humanity and our quest for meaning”. He also shares: “The main focus of my work centers around mythological ideas that motivate us to maximize our potential. Also, present is my interest in observing the beauty and poetry life offers on a regular basis. My painting and drawings portray the human figure and a form of romantic, symbolic, introspective realism to explore these themes”
The school’s Corpora Art Gallery is host to a full schedule of both professional and student exhibitions each school year. In addition to attracting the community for public events, the professional artists and exhibits also act as a great learning tool for students.
Charter Arts’ Director of Visual Arts, Lorie Reinhard, says: “We are so proud to host this exhibit as part of our professional series. Dorian was a visiting artist during remote learning last year and presented a workshop called the ‘Art of the Sketchbook’. His presentation aligned with our visual arts curricular focus on the artistic process using sketchbooks as a place to explore and practice ideas/concepts. Students had an opportunity to see how a professional fine artist like Dorian uses his sketchbook to draw what moves him as an artist and problem-solve. The current exhibit features finished work by Dorian and now students will have a chance to see how his sketches come to life in his final paintings.”
The
“The Unconscious Call to Adventure and the Poetry of Life” exhibition will be on display in the gallery through October 15, 2021. In addition to the September First Friday reception, there will be another free public reception during the Southside’s October First Friday celebration. Appointments to view the exhibit during school hours can also be arranged through Lorie Reinhard,
lreinhard@charterarts.org.
ABOUT THE CHARTER ARTS VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT:The Charter Arts Visual Arts Department provides a structured and classical art education. Students are rigorously trained in drawing, painting, sculpture, design, and educated in art history. The goal is to promote a return to excellence in the visual arts through intensive training and the implementation of high standards.
Presented as an academic as well as an artistic pursuit, the courses inspire students to perceive connections between art and other subject areas. Students build upon learned concepts with the intention of gaining mastery, concentration, a strong work ethic, and self-discipline. Through practice, study, analysis, reading, and research, they learn to apply their intelligence and discernment to the art they create.
ABOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (Charter Arts):
Charter Arts is an audition-based public charter school that provides a comprehensive curriculum for high school students, grades 9-12, who have a passion for the arts. Students major in one of seven artistic areas: dance, instrumental music, literary arts, production arts, theatre, visual arts, or vocal music.
Charter Arts’ rigorous curriculum fosters both academic and artistic excellence for its students. The school’s impressive Future Ready PA Index ranking, Advanced Placement (AP) exam statistics, Keystone Exam statistics, SAT scores, prestigious artistic accolades, and graduation rate, are testaments to the outstanding education that Charter Arts provides.
Charter Arts is proud to celebrate its nineteenth year as one of the most respected high schools for the arts in the nation. Charter Arts was one of only 349 schools in the nation to be named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2020, the school earned the Title I Distinguished School designation for the fourth year in a row, placing it in the top 5 % of all Title I high schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Recently, Charter Arts was ranked as #1 Best Public High School Teachers in PA (out of 666) and #1 Best Charter High School in Pennsylvania on Niche’s 2021 Best Schools in America Rankings.
Charter Arts is located at 321 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem PA 18015. For more information, visit www.CharterArts.org.
