January 29, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:

Barbara Hollander, SAMA-Altoona Coordinator

(814) 946-4464

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

SAMA-ALTOONA EXHIBITION FEATURES LOCAL ABSTRACT ARTIST

            Altoona – The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona is pleased to announce the opening of Kenneth Cotlar: Transcendental Transitions. The exhibition features more than 60 of the Cambria County artist’s captivating abstract compositions. The exhibition opens February 19 and will remain on view through May 15.

            Cotlar’s abstract art has been fascinating viewers for many years. His work exhibits an elusive quality in which the viewer is drawn in by many textural distortions and subtle tonal qualities. His paintings are created on a variety of surfaces, such as Masonite, Plexiglas, aluminum, or heavy raw duck canvas using acrylic, oil and latex. The artist comes to his unique style through transcendental meditation, a process of relaxing and clearing the mind of preconceived images. From there, he executes some form of random mark – a stroke, swath or pool of paint – with each subsequent stroke suggested from the previous. Essentially, he intends for each work to paint itself. His completed works are mostly unconscious, intuitive and non-representational.

            Originally from Eastern Pennsylvania, Cotlar earned a B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University in 1969. He has worked as a graphic designer for many years, and has been painting full-time for nearly a decade. His paintings have been exhibited in numerous juried shows and are held in private collections throughout the United States.

            “Ken is a well-rounded artist with exceptional skill,” said SAMA-Altoona Coordinator Barbara Hollander. “His mastery of the medium is evident through his use of color, line, form and contrast. His works are encapsulating and thought-provoking, and his process is equally mystifying, allowing his audience to come to terms with their own emotions while grasping the nuances of each piece.”

            The Museum will celebrate the exhibition at a Blue Monday program scheduled for March 8. The event will include light supper and libations and a musical performance by Barry Wicks and Jimmy Mowery. Cost for the program is $20 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the Museum at (814) 946-4464. Cotlar also will speak at a Lunch a l’Art program on April 7. Cost for the program, which begins at noon, is $13 or $12 for members. Please call the Museum for reservations or more information.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona is located in the Brett Building at 1210 Eleventh Avenue. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The Museum is a handicapped accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. Parking is available in the garage across the street or in metered spots in the lot at the rear of the building. For more information, call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.