Abstract works by Maine artist Amy Bartlett-Goodness displayed at 鶹ýCampus Center now through April 25
A series of abstract paintings by Maine-based artist Amy Bartlett-Goodness are now on display through April 25 at the 鶹ýCampus Center in Biddeford. An artist reception will be held at the center from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11.
Known for her bright and expressive abstract paintings that draw from her curiosity of the relationship between color, surface, and energy, Bartlett-Goodness’s work consists primarily of acrylic paint, graphite, and oil stick on panel, creating a framework and some restrictions that direct her dialogue with the painting surface.
“My work is abstract, drawing on intuition, a deep emotional connection to color, and a desire to communicate through the energy of mark-making,” the artist said in a statement.
Her current collection, “Look Through Me,” is an invitation in two parts: viewers can choose to look through Bartlett-Goodness’s eyes, imagining another person’s experience, or they can look through — as in past the artist — to connect to the work through their own experiences in their own, personal ways.
“Either way, the relationship between the viewer and the work is where value lies," the artist explained. “The things we feel that can’t be fully explained when we look at art (are) what interest me the most.”
Bartlett-Goodness holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maine College of Art and Design and a Master of Arts in education from Lesley University.
In addition to making her own artwork, Bartlett-Goodness is a community leader in the field of visual arts education and child development. Her own community-based art studio, , was founded upon the principle that a quality, diverse arts education has a positive impact on the social-emotional and cognitive development of children.
Nearly five years after its founding, MSA serves over 100 children weekly with 15 home-school, after-school, and summer camp arts enrichment programs and hosts four student art exhibits throughout the school year.
Bartlett-Goodness said it is the combination of her personal painting and her community involvement with Mill Studio Arts that completes her picture as an artist, whereby her practice informs her purpose to educate children, and her students energize her practice — a cycle that is “reflective of the beautiful, ancient human desire to create in order to understand (the) self and communicate with others,” she said.
The Campus Center is located at 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford. Hours for the summer are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.