The Anita S. Wooten Gallery at Valencia College will display a collection of pastel painted portraits by local Central Florida artist Theresa Lucey, Jan. 16 through March 6.
Lucey, a graduate of Indian River State College and University of Central Florida, recently finished her master’s degree in emerging media from UCF this past year and currently works as visiting lecturer in UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design.
Her collection on display in the new year will highlight themes of dramatic physical expression, gender, existentialism and more. Lucey’s work often centers on feminism and equality, a theme that she states in her artistic research as being something she finds crucial to address.
“I find it important to challenge past generations of feminist’s opinions on the exploitation of one’s self and whether or not a woman can truly express her own body outside the confines of a patriarchal view,” Lucey said.
Influenced by Egon Schiele, a major figurative painter of the early 20thcentury, and Australian sculptor Ronald Mueck, Lucey says that she pressures herself to make as much work as humanly possible to the highest quality. “It’s a journey, not a destination,” she said.
The celebration of Lucey’s work at Valencia College begins with an opening reception in the gallery on Jan. 16 from 5 – 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served throughout the evening.
The gallery is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located on Valencia College’s East Campus in Building 3 (701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando). For more information, visit www.valenciacollege.edu/arts or call 407-582-2268.