2026 Annual Affiliates Exhibition
February 4–28, 2026
Reception: Thursday, February 5, 2026 6-8 PM
FIRST STREET GALLERY is pleased to present the 2026 Annual Affiliates Exhibition, bringing together unique and dynamic work from the following member artists: Andy Brown, Anita Dawson, Gilles Giuntini, Robert Loebell, Kathy A. Moore, John Rohlfing, and Carolyn Sheehan.
The exhibition is on view February 4–28, 2026, with an opening reception from 6 to 8 pm, Thursday, February 5, 2026
Andy Brown shares, “Defining cultural identity is often complex and elusive, in that it evolves, shifts, and lacks definition. Though the language we use when discussing cultural identity often emphasizes differentiation and if often more confusing than meaningful, the immediate elements, objects, and lived spaces from which our individuality derives are wonderfully fixed. In the bringing together of these commonplace items, we slowly uncover the many places where our identities intersect and enrich each other.”
Anita Dawson offers, “These ‘Magic Realist’ still lifes are not still. They convey a sense of an ongoing moment captured. My focus is the struggle to harmonize contemporary culture and the natural world using archetypal images that have resonance in our own time.”
Gilles Giuntini’s pieces have a very strong sense of “objectness” they are not installations, not ephemeral. They seem rock solid in their presence as if they have previously existed long term. He works to develop pieces that are visually compelling and beautifully crafted; possibly to excess, but with a purpose. Along with the physical and aesthetic presence of a particular piece of sculpture, there is usually a discernable legitimate subtext.
Robert Loebell discusses, “My wood relief carvings are explorations in time, both in the execution of the pieces and the meanings that come out of these explorations. Using my own photographs mainly taken while traveling, I am interested in bringing these two dimensional images into three dimensions. By reimagining the experiences we often lose after encountering a place or object, the sculpture becomes a new adventure.
These newest pieces are based on sculpture by Bernini, ‘The Abduction of Proserpina.’ The sculptures reimagine the fixity or flexibility of time by swapping the original medium, marble, for wood, and then recreating the images themselves into a new form.”
Kathy A. Moore’s greyscale paintings emphasize the power of the illusion of ‘light’ reflecting off the snow-covered scenes. The paintings depict suburban or rural settings simply showing signs of people; roads with tire tracks, shoveled sidewalks, or smoke coming from chimneys. Indications of hidden people that have been driven inside by the cold, harsh elements of winter.
John Rohlfing adds, “My material is clay. I work in the tradition of a vessel maker. I make pots which are tactile, rich in color and expressive in celebration of the materials plastic nature frozen in time through fire.”
Carolyn Sheehan’s current work, in the 2026 Affiliates Exhibition at First Street Gallery, titled “Best in Show” consists of one paper dress, 6 dogs and one cat. The dress and all the animals are created with paint and rubber carvings printed on Japanese Kozo paper.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 11am to 6pm
