Member artist Helling has FMAAA gallery in July

FORT MADISON - The FMAAA Art Center is showcasing another member artist this month. Steve Helling is proficient in painting, printmaking, ceramics, and photography. His constructivist approach to his paintings with loose brushwork with raw canvas showing through conveys meaning beyond the imagery. Often the stretcher bars are reclaimed wood or fashioned with the canvas draped or stretched in uncomplicated ways with simple framing. These elements viscerally support the overall visual effect. Mainly figurative, the paintings and prints offer uncomplicated and sometimes whimsical imagery plucked straight out of Helling’s imagination. Everyone is welcome to attend his Opening Reception in the Main Gallery at the FMAAA Art Center on Thursday, July 11 from 5pm to 7pm at 825 Ave G as we get a peek at his new collection of prints and paintings that will be on display through August 3rd.

Steve’s work is approachable and suggestive of a whole story in a single glance, inviting us to linger and ponder the rest. His pieces have sometimes been inspired by a song, translating words to canvas. Or an idea made visible as it is rendered into view. He is an artistic jack-of-all-trades working in printmaking, ceramics, photography, reclaimed wood, and painting. A graduate of Iowa Weslyen’s art program, Steve has continued to produce work over the years, consistently growing into his own recognizable style across media. Currently located in Davenport, Steve has also served as a past Board Member for the Fort Madison Area Arts Association (FMAAA) and still helps out with the occasional odd job as needed when he is back in town.

In conjunction with this month’s exhibition, the FMAAA Art Center will be hosting Lunch ala Art, a luncheon and artist talk, on Friday, July 26 at noon. The luncheon catered by Garden of Eatin is $10 per person with advance reservations recommended. Please contact admin@fortmadisonart.com or call 319-372-3996 to place your reservation. You are not obligated to eat the meal to attend the artist talk which begins at approximately 12:30pm and will last about 20 to 30 minutes.

The FMAAA Art Center and the programming we provide for the community is supported in part by donors and sponsors. This month’s gallery exhibition was generously sponsored by Melissa Derr of Edward Jones and Associates.  The FMAAA is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am to 5pm.