Art exhibition to feature oil paintings and monotypes; open house reception May 11
West Canon Perdido St. Palm by artist Gary Chafe
April 25, 2016, Santa Barbara, CA— Hospice of Santa Barbara welcomes local artist Gary Chafe, who will display his art at the Leigh Block Gallery located inside Hospice of Santa Barbara -- 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite #100, Santa Barbara – beginning May 11 with an open house reception.
Most of the artwork in Chafe’s exhibit was created prior to his diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, a neurological disorder that affects movements and presents neuropsychiatric symptoms. With his work, Chafe depicts scenes of Santa Barbara landscapes, cityscapes, personal experiences and the town’s personalities through monotype prints and oil paintings.
“Before his diagnosis, he would create art almost every day. He never held a typical day job” said Chafe’s daughter, Maya. “His masterwork was in monotypes. He has done hundreds of monotypes. He’s an artistic autodidact.”
Born on Sept. 1, 1937, in Los Angeles, Chafe moved to Santa Barbara as a child with his family and has formed strong artistic roots within the community. He is known for being one of the founding artists of the YES pop-up store, for his civic engagement and the wide range within his artmaking, including lost wax cast jewelry, sculptures in bronze and stone, and skills in graphic design.
Chafe is entirely self-educated in art history and has studied art with Charles Atkinson at Santa Barbara City College. Chafe also taught at local schools and adult education in Santa Barbara. He owned “The First Press” on Carrillo Street, offering print making services and later, a gallery. His art is featured in many art collections, including Phoenix Art Museum and Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
Chafe continues to reside in Santa Barbara while in transitional hospice care, along with assistance from his daughter. He continues to be a well regarded artist in the Santa Barbara area.
On Wednesday, May 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Hospice of Santa Barbara will host a wine and hors d’oeuvres open house reception for the new exhibit. The exhibit runs until July 29.
Chafe will donate 25% of the proceeds from his art sales to Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc., a volunteer hospice organization. You can schedule a viewing of the exhibit by calling (805) 563-8820.
Hospice of Santa Barbara “volunteers” its free professional counseling and care management services those who are experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness, or grieving the death of a loved one. Hospice of Santa Barbara is also present on local school campuses to work with children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, call (805) 563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.