Marquette’s Ore Dock Brewing Company is exhibiting the vibrant artwork of senior drawing and painting majors Kate Hertler and Kelly Peters.
The oil-based work is inspired by nature, dreams, imagination, and curvilinear and free-flowing liquidus form, according to the artists.
The exhibit has been up since Thursday, Feb. 6 and will remain until Thursday, March 6. Hertler and Peters have made a majority of the paintings available for purchase, with prints and stickers of additional pieces.
“The Ore Dock really likes it,” Peters said. “They’re excited because it’s the first non-photography based fine art they’ve used.”
Peters and Hertler have collaborated frequently, including as co-presidents of the campus organization “Huenited,” which Peters founded last year.
The display, where pieces are juxtaposed in seamless transition, demonstrates successful collaboration, as does their respect for each other.
“We’re the perfect balance,” Hertler said. “Because we have similar styles, we push each other harder than others normally would to try new things.”
Hertler’s seven pieces were conceived and created within the past few months. Peters’ six pieces include paintings that are older, when most of her artwork was centered primarily on photographic imagery, as well as recent creations.
“I used to do art that was photography-based, but my newer work is more imaginative and spontaneous,” Peters said.
Hertler and Peters are having an informal reception at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14 at the Ore Dock where they will be available to discuss their artwork and sell prints and stickers to patrons and friends.
“We wanted to gather friends and people that have supported us all along,” Hertler said. “This is an easy way for us to talk about our art and showcase our work.”
Hertler said she is grateful for the opportunities afforded her by NMU and the Marquette community, and offered advice to fellow art students.
“Get involved in the community, especially Marquette,” she said. “In four years I’ve gotten my name out, who’s to say others can’t too?”
Those unable to attend Friday’s event can purchase prints and stickers downstairs at the Ore Dock, where inquiries about buying paintings can also be made. The paintings range in price from $200 to $1,000. The prints cost between $15 and $40 and stickers are $3 each.
