Lori Solymosi Exhibit opens at the Gallery at Cox Hall with The Clemson Little Theatre’s Production of “Short Haired Grace” this weekend.

Champagne reception for art patrons, 7 p.m., Pendleton Playhouse - Mechanic St., Pendleton. Call 864-646-8100 for reservations to the Opening Production.

EXPRESSIONS: BY LORI SOLYMOSI

Lori Solymosi is an artist who resides in Pendleton. A graduate of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Lori received the prestedigious Emlen Cresson Traveling Scholarship award which granted her 10 weeks of European travel as well as a private studio and a year of post graduate work at the Academy where she majored in painting and printmaking.

After graduation, Lori cofounded the North Penn Art’s Alliance, a non- profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the visual arts. There she developed an outreach arts education program and held positions of education coordinator, instructor and executive director. During this time Lori received a certification in Art’s Management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and continued with the Art’s Alliance until her husband’s relocation to the Detroit area in 1994. In Michigan Lori continued her career as studio artist, educator and art’s administrator and developed her interest in writing and was involved in the production of the book Almost Touching, an anthology of Michigan writers. When Lori’s husband Laszlo retired in 2004 the couple relocated to Pendleton partially because of its proximity to several regional arts organizations. Lori works from her home studio in Pendleton and teaches art part time at Saint Joseph’s in Anderson. Lori also has quite a passion for gardening. She and Laszlo have a daughter who teaches music in Charleston.

Artist Statement

Having studied at the country’s oldest fine arts institution, classicism is in my core. Yet my paintings are contemporary and expressive. I respond to my subject matter intuitively and love bold colors and texture. To quote Aristotle, I feel that “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” I use modern materials such as acrylic and polymer paints as well some ancient ones like encaustic. I love to mix media for a unique effect. I work quickly and direct and like Plato, will argue “that contemplation of physical beauty allows the mind to better understand spiritual beauty.” The human figure, nature and spirituality have been ongoing themes in my work.