UpFront Exhibition Space unveils winter art show

The winter art show at Upfront Exhibition Space in Port Jervis will feature three familiar names: Gordon Graff, Mark Wright and Roz Hodgkins.

Gordon Graff, the owner/director of the space, was born in California. His family moved east when he was 12. In 2004, he moved to Port Jervis and opened an antiques shop. As he began to acquire furniture and antique things, the idea of putting various parts together inspired his natural creativity. He also has a background in furniture building and carpentry. His sculptural pieces are described as “a convergence of utility and art.” The origins of the parts in each piece come with a cultural and worked history that Graff expands and develops into a composition of fiction. “By placing these disparate objects together, they become characters in a conversation or drama,” the exhibition space explained in its show announcement.

Mark Wright (also known as Midartz) is a NY-based artist who was born in the Bronx. He refers to his art as primarily neoexpressionist. He uses multiple mediums to take viewers “on a journey full of bold, free expression,” with each piece holding its own story, the exhibition space said. Wright “wants viewers to feel the energy of his paintings, the character’s strength, leadership, and vulnerability.” His works have been featured at UpFront Exhibition Space, Winston Scott Gallery, Brooklyn Art Cave, and many other art venues.

Roz Hodgkins was born in Maine and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in 1965. She has spent 45 years in NYC exploring painting styles such as pop art, photo realism, expressionist, and non-objective. For the last 15 years she has been living in this area and painting her perceptions of nature’s moods and seasons. Hodgkins’ first show was at Warren Benedect Gallery in Soho in 1972; she had works in several solo and group shows in NYC through the 80s and 90s. Her art has been reviewed in Art in America, The Village Voice, Arts Magazine, and Art News. Her art is in private and corporate collections.

Upfront Exhibition Space, located at 31 Jersey Ave., Port Jervis, will hold its winter art show from December 6 to 29, with an opening artist’s reception slated for Saturday, December 14, from 1 to 6 p.m. The exhibition space’s regular hours are Friday through Sunday, from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 845-754-1808.