For Cabrillo Instructors Abbott and Milhoan
Jamie Abbott’s Sculpture
March 22 – April 26. Reception Thursday, March 21, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Aptos, CA—The Cabrillo Gallery presents an exhibition entitled “Tribute,” to honor the recent retirements of long time Art Department faculty members, Jamie Abbott and Ron Milhoan, with a showing of their sculptures and paintings.
“Ron Milhoan’s current paintings have a strong personal content and a level of sophistication that only a seasoned artist has,” says Gallery Director Tobin Keller. “Ron’s large canvases retain some of his particular kind of magic realism, but one of an autobiographical direction, a sort of dreamlike view into his past.” This is offset by his expressive use of paint that helps to obfuscate the imagery and lend tension to the dreamlike view.
Jamie Abbott’s sculptures play with different formal elements than Milhoan. “Jamie’s contrast of materials, mostly wood and steel, denotes an interest in permanence and impermanence, as well as organic and non-organic use of materials,” explains Keller. This, combined with Abbott’s careful construction of each piece, creates a tension, as does the surface finish, or lack there of, with the materials. “The wood and steel are left in a purer state of finish without too much fetishistic refinement.”
Ron Milhoan’s Birthday Painting
Together, Abbott and Milhoan have worked almost 70 years, teaching more than 4,000 students through their courses at Cabrillo. Their combined impact on the art in Santa Cruz County has been substantial. “The nurturing, support, and guidance that you find with these two artists, and all of the Cabrillo instructors in the Art Department at Cabrillo, has contributed immensely to the development and strength of our local arts,” reflects Keller.
Exhibit runs March 22 – April 26
Artist’s Reception: Thursday, March 21, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Artist’s Talk: Wednesday, April 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday evenings 7 – 9 p.m. Parking can be found in any of the numerous metered parking areas. The Gallery will be closed for spring break April 1- 6.
