Brown and Murtha and Vogel at Quad City Arts Gallery

From May 3 to June 21, 2024, Quad City Arts presents paintings by Julie Brown, quilts by Diane Murtha, and fiber art by Jeane Vogel. The public is invited to attend a FREE opening reception on May 3 from 6-8 pm where the artists will be present, and refreshments will be served.

Julie Brown, once an abstract painter, has begun creating realistic paintings based on antique photographs. The photos to which she is drawn feature human faces and are often informal images taken by amateur photographers. Brown’s work highlights the timelessness of our humanity and aims to give her audience a glimpse into the past.

Diane Murtha, a lifelong quilter, was taught by her grandmother beginning with traditional quilting patterns. She has since branched out to unique art quilt patterns of her own design. Whether she is creating abstract or representational work, Murtha strives to share the joy of nontraditional quilting and inspire her fellow quilters.

Jeane Vogel is a multi-media artist focused on tapestry and fiber art. She believes tapestry is a narrative artform that women have used to pass down stories, motifs, and memories from generation to generation. With this in mind, Vogel’s work underscores themes of cultural identity, justice, feminine strength, and connection to antiquity.

All three women do well elevating “those who have come before” whether in their subject matter, their artform’s technique, or even the way in which they speak about their work. The past informs each artist as they make their work in present day.

The artist’s works can be viewed and purchased online at https://www.shopquadcityarts.com/rock-island-gallery. Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts.  Support for art exhibitions is provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Quad City Arts Gallery is located at 1715 Second Avenue in Rock Island.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, contact Dawn Wohlford-Metallo 309-793-1213 X108, or by email at [email protected].