Ellen Epperson Ralls
Cleveland State Community College will feature mixed-media collages by Chattanooga artist Ellen Epperson Ralls during the month of January.
The exhibit will be open Wednesday, Jan. 2, and continue through Jan. 31, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday viewing by appointment.
A closing "Meet-the-Artist Reception," with refreshments will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Admission is free and the public is invited.
Ellen Epperson Ralls is a 1992 alumna of Cleveland State, and she completed work for her bachelor's degree at The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga in 1997. After graduating from UTC she taught art at Falling Water Elementary School in Hixson.
Since then, Ms. Ralls has had an active exhibition record, including "Summerfest" in Virginia Highland, Atlanta; the Coolidge Park and Four Bridges Art Market Festivals in Chattanooga; her first one-person exhibit, "I'm Only One Woman", Chattanooga; Cleveland State Community College's First Alumni Exhibition in 2000; "September in St. Elmo" street festivals in 2000 and 2001; the Urban Art Institute Auctions, several other exhibitions in the Chattanooga area; and she is represented by the Plum Nelly Gallery in Chattanooga.
"Ellen's work has changed dramatically since she studied with me at Cleveland State", said Jere Chumley, curator of the exhibition.
"She has shown tremendous growth as an artist. The small mixed-media collages are some of the most delightful, well-crafted images that I've seen. The appropriated images, that everyone will recognize, are juxtaposed with her esoteric selections in a manner that will lead the viewer to meanings beyond the work itself. They make one think of small, medieval icons, full of mystery, and delight!" said Chumley.
About her work Ms. Ralls said, "It's true, life is full of surprises. No two days are exactly alike, nor are the people we encounter. This collection is like that - full of surprises. So look closely or you may just miss something. It seems as though each piece took a million years to put together, but in reality they are simply brief statements in time. They represent daily thoughts, emotions, and situations that I stumble into, sometimes serious and desperate, but more often than not, free and light. Either way my work continues to grow more and more light-hearted, while at the same time more and more thought provoking - for me and hopefully for each viewer."
Grace The Land by Ellen Epperson Ralls