Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Kitchen Theatre Company announced Thursday that an exhibition of new paintings by Kent Goetz, "LOOKING WITHIN: Finding Substance in the Shadows," will hang in the Judith Holliday Lobby Gallery at 417 West MLK/State Street through December 21, 2015. An opening reception is on Friday, October 2 from 5:30-7:00pm

A scene designer by profession for over 30 years, Goetz says, "I have been painting in order to create environments on stage that honor the intention of the playwright, support the natural power of the actor and engage the imagination of the audience. While I find great satisfaction collaborating with others to bring a play to life, I also find peace and gratification in the more solitary activity of studio painting. This past summer, rather than working in the theatre, I utilized the principles and techniques I have employed over the years as a scene designer into painting a series of canvases that could be enjoyed for their own beauty."

This is the second showing of works by Kent Goetz at Kitchen Theatre Company. This series of paintings furthers Goetz' exploration of abstract images. "Referencing my personal collection of nature photography, I sought dramatic compositions of complex organic form and color by looking more deeply within the photograph. There I discovered evocative interplays of sunlit forms contrasted with deep, luminous shadows," says Goetz.

"The paintings are arranged in groups of four, something new in our gallery. I enjoy looking at each painting individually and then stepping back and taking in the group. The vibrant colors are a wonderful complement to our lobby space, filling it with energy and direction," says Kitchen Theatre Company Artistic Director, Rachel Lampert.

Kent Goetz is a Professor in Cornell University's Department of Performing and Media Arts. He has been the Resident Scene Designer at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts since 1991. He has designed professionally at other institutions including: the Asolo Theatre, TheatreSquared, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Florida Stage, Geva Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Madison Repertory Theatre, Madison Opera, Skylight Opera, Body Politic Theatre, American Musical Theatre, Maine State Musical Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Hangar Theatre and Kitchen Theatre Company. Early in his career he also served as a scenic artist at the Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage, Goodspeed Opera and the Julliard School. Prior to Cornell, Kent taught theatre design at Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University.