current exhibits

Pattern & Flow anD Starstruck

September 19- October 25, 2025

From the Curator’s Desk:

Art & Narrative

When I am pairing artists together to exhibit at CALC I usually weigh three factors: does the art work well together visually, what are the themes of their work, and does the pairing of these works together communicate something different than when viewed independently.

It’s that last factor that I find the most interesting- it’s where stories are often found. I’ve been a lover of stories my whole life- I was a voracious reader when I was younger and even today, I often become fascinated by the creative process behind shows and movies that capture my imagination. I am fascinated by the structure of a well-told tale. This passion for story, in essence how we communicate through the culture we create, carries over into my approach to curating. Narrative is always in the forefront of my mind.

Abstract works such as those found in Pattern & Flow, are not often thought of as containing a narrative. Maybe they don’t tell a traditional story, but they do make you feel something. When abstract works by two artists come together, the feelings generated by these works collide, vibrating off one another, making the viewer feel something entirely new. Art viewed individually is a very different experience than art viewed in the context of other works. This is how I approached the pairing of the artists in Pattern & Flow.

Barbara Martin is an abstract artist who paints intuitively, exploring gestures and mark making. In the context of this show, she represents flow in her texture, organic shapes and embrace of the serendipity in mark making. Alongside Barbara’s paintings, you’ll find the meticulous geometric drawings for Guy T. Kuhn. His works represent pattern through his exploration of mandalas, perspective, and architectural elements.

These bodies of work are very different from each other, but have enough commonalities to tie them together- for instance the use of a limited color palette. This show is an homage to order and chaos, but also to balance. Both order and chaos are necessary parts of life- too much of one or the other throws the world, throws the show, out of balance, and there is beauty to be found in their equilibrium.

Scroll Down to see some images from the show and read Guy and Barbara’s artist statements.

In other shows, the narrative is clearer, like in Starstruck- the show currently gracing our second-floor gallery. This show also brings together two artists. Geoffrey Thulin is a painter working in watercolor and gouache exploring the stars through cosmic themes like the Western and Chinese Zodiacs, and the divine figures of gods and goddesses. Geoffrey’s work roots the show in tradition by exploring themes that can be traced deep into our history, to when our ancestors sought meaning in the heavens and created signs and symbols to communicate that meaning- a tradition that is still observed by many today.

If Geoffrey’s pieces ground the show in tradition, then the paintings and mixed media pieces created by Olivia Jean Albritton explore a new cosmic narrative all her own. Her pieces focus on a pair of characters she created- an alien diva, and her space dog, Lambo. Inspired by the title of the show, Starstruck, Olivia’s new mythology explores themes of fame and femininity entwined with the celestial- an all-new take on the divine feminine.

Like Pattern & Flow, Starstruck is also about balance. In this show it is the balance between traditional myths and new stories, between traditional painting methods, and exploration of new media. These two works not only find alignment in their celestial themes, but in their vibrant hues. The show is truly a kaleidoscope of color filled with saturated neons and rich deep blues. It is bright, it is energetic, and I hope you don’t miss it!

Scroll Down to see some images from the show and read Geoffrey and Olivia’s artist statements.

-Abria Donato, CALC’s Gallery Director

in the Frist-Floor G.B. stuart gallery

Barbara Martin

Over the years I have careened through abstract expressionism, minimalism, and a variety of techniques while striving for technical improvement. Yet, what is expressed through my paintings may not be entirely clear even to me. If I had precise words, I would write. Instead, I paint following a liminal path of discovery -wherever it may lead - through the wonder and the mystery. You are invited to join me there.

I believe art is a grand adventure, an exploration into the great unknown: seen or unseen, felt or sensed, dreamed or real. When I paint, I am immersed in the energy and sensations of the process. I begin with a ritual rather than a plan, then with a deep breath I engage the blank canvas. From that first sloppy smear of color or quivering scribble, each piece develops into a pulsating conversation, a give and take between the materials and my hands, guided by intuition.

When my focus dims, it's time to question the sum of the parts, to examine the form, line, color, and contrast seeking a balanced and organic whole and continuing the quest for resolution. You will notice the history of moves concealed and revealed within each piece: shimmers and shadows of previous layers, soft and hard edges, pivots and u-turns in the trajectory of the work until finally, hours, days, or weeks later, it is complete. And in that wonderful Eureka moment, with a rush of energy and relief, the title reveals itself.

You can see more of Barbara’s work on her website: barbaramartinart.com and on Instagram @barbaramartinart and Facebook Barbara Martin Art.

Guy Terry Kuhn

In 1968, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Shepherd University. After graduating, I switched to an art focus and studied at Towson University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Many of my early works are in private and university collections. After college, I started my own business, Guy T. Kuhn Fine Art Papers, supplying artists nationwide with paper products. In recent years, I have rejuvenated my passion for art by focusing on detailed pencil drawings.

I currently work and live in Hagerstown, MD where I enjoy listening to the soothing sounds of classic rock music while composing my mystical works of art.

The discovery process fuels my passion to create art. I work abstractly using geometric shapes that evolve into a composition with sharp contrast and drama. Probing beneath the surface, I explore the interaction between simple shapes playing off each other without any pre-conceived motif. The resulting harmonious illusion appears to have its own natural balanced reality.

You can see more of Guy’s work on his website: guykuhn.com

in the second-Floor gallery

Geoffrey Thulin

My paintings are bold celebrations of color and form, using animal imagery, landscape and abstraction. I explore rhythm, pattern, and energy and their connection to the spiritual in nature; energy is the overarching theme, playing across the surface while pulsing from within.

Drawn to powerful imagery, symbols and animals, it seemed inevitable that one day I would tackle the zodiac cycle. My proposed exhibit would center around this twelve-painting series, which I did over the course of one year. Augmenting this collection, if necessary, would be several paintings celebrating the Asian lunar year zodiac.

My primary media are watercolor and gouache. I love the fluidity, immediacy and challenge of working with these paints.

_________________

Raised in New England, Ohio and Pennsylvania––and always drawing––I received a BA in Art from Penn State, graduating with highest distinction. I began my professional career in San Francisco, returning to the Gettysburg area in 1992. I have exhibited in various locations in the U.S. and have received several awards.

Olivia Jean Allbritton

Olivia Jean explores how the divine feminine is transformed when filtered through glamour, synthetic fantasy, and the cultural spectacle of femininity. Drawing from Y2K aesthetics, vintage media, and celestial symbolism, she collages otherworldly figures using magazines, holographic vinyl, acrylic, and spray paint. Her figures—Alien Divas—are part oracle, part pop star, captivating the audience with their starstruck presence. Using camp as a visual strategy for exaggeration, contradiction, and play, drawing on vivid colors, erotic silhouettes, and glam. Her work straddles the line between the sacred and the synthetic, the mystical and the mass-produced. Faceless figures, dressed in fishnets, simultaneously reveal and obscure the self—embodiment of fluid identity. Through this, she critiques how the feminine has been commodified, aestheticized, and mythologized, while reclaiming these expressions as sacred and complex.

Olivia Jean is a multidisciplinary artist born in Pennsylvania and relocated to Los Angeles, where she earned her BFA in Sculpture/New Genres from Otis College of Art and Design.  Working primarily in mixed media, Olivia creates layered, sculptural compositions that investigate the divine feminine through a lens of glamour, camp, and cosmic symbolism. Her process is rooted in both material and conceptual layering: sourcing imagery from vintage magazines, she cuts and reassembles fragments into collages that serve as blueprints for larger painted works. 

Her work has been exhibited internationally, her short film featured in film festivals in Germany, Italy, Rome, and Los Angeles—earning recognition in LGBTQ+ film categories.