Artistic pair

Artists reception to be held Nov. 21

By Jaine Treadwell (Contact) | Troy Messenger

Published Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Johnson Center for the Arts will host a reception for the featured artists in “The Art of Janice Koenig Ross and Conrad Ross” exhibition from 2 until 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 at the art center on East Walnut Street in Troy.

The exhibition opened on Nov. 17 and will come down on January 2, 2010.

Janice Koenig Ross and Conrad Ross of Auburn are retired university professors renowned for their lifelong pursuit of their craft, said Richard Metzger, Johnson Center director.

“Janice Koenig Ross taught in the art department of Tuskegee University from 1968 until her retirement in 1991,” Metzger said. “Her husband, Conrad Ross, professor emeritus of art at Auburn University, taught drawing, printmaking and painting from1963-1997. He is a printmaker and owner/publisher of Wycross Press in Auburn, the only press in Alabama solely devoted to publishing original fine art prints.”

The exhibition includes her paintings and his prints and also a collection of prints done by selected artists at the Wycross Press.

“Janice Koeing Ross’ work is impressionistic and Conrad Ross’ work is abstract, so it’s a very diverse and interesting exhibition,” said Wiley White, development director of the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center. “This is an exhibit that everyone should enjoy.”

Janice Koenig Ross describes her work as, “My response to the people and things I see.”  Earlier she worked exclusively from life but now uses photographs as well, often altering them by combining and rearranging images.

“But always, these images refer ultimately to something she saw,” White said. “Conrad Ross’ imagery gets its significance from those efforts required to replicate, in the repeated image, and from those differences that emerge in the process of transferring information. Since 1972, his work in painting, drawing, and printmaking has been caught up with a fascination for the land.”

“Printology” is on loan from the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan and is the first and founding project for Conrad Ross and Wycross Press.  Printology is a series of 10 folios by 20 artist/printmakers published by Wycross Press from 1990 to 2000.

“As we come to the close of our first year since our grand opening, we are excited and pleased that we are in a position so that the Wiregrass Museum of Art will lend us this high quality exhibit,” Metzger said. “We are also excited to have Janice Koenig Ross and Conrad Ross show their work at the Johnson Center for the Arts. The diversity and superior quality of their work offers something for everyone. We invite everyone to join us Saturday as we introduce these artists and their artwork to the people of Troy, Pike County and the surrounding areas.”

The Johnson Center for the Arts is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

There is no admission charge. Group tours are available.

For more information, call 334-670-2287.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---