Aug. 21, 2024 (WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) – The Armory Art Center will open three new exhibitions this fall celebrating women artists, female excellence, and inclusivity. Called “Threads of Time and Imagination”, the collection of exhibitions features works in multiple mediums by Apia, a conceptual multidisciplinary artist based in South Florida. “Threads of Time and Imagination” is free and open to the public from Sept. 3 to Oct. 25, 2024.
The first show in the collection is “Exaggerations of History”, an innovative, captivating exhibit featuring a collection of 101 miniature portraits of female artists between the 12th and 20th centuries. No larger than a square inch, each painting was meticulously created without using magnification tools. Accompanied by an augmented reality (AR) experience, the exhibit offers visitors an immersive journey through the lives and works of these remarkable women. By integrating traditional art forms with cutting-edge technology, the exhibit aims to rectify the historical omission of female artists and highlight their significant contributions to the arts.
The second exhibition is “WATTA: Women Artists Through the Ages”. As an extension of “Exaggerations of History”, Apia created a large art installation under the name WATTA (Women Artists Through the Ages). The area aims to be a reflection space where visitors can feel the presence of all the women in the series as if they were there with them.
The third exhibition is “Hi and Hello World”, which centers on inclusion and what’s needed to achieve it. It focuses on an experience that connects each visitor with their inner child—to remember a moment in life when making a new friend was as easy as going to the park.
“Throughout history, the arts have been a driver of empathy and change—often providing a platform to those whose voices were ignored,” said Jill Brown, the Armory Art Center’s CEO. “Apia’s diverse artistic skills and dedication to celebrating inclusivity are inspiring. We can’t wait for the public to see these beautiful exhibitions and consider how they too can cultivate a more inclusive, empathetic community.”
“Inclusion is my driving force, rooted deeply in personal experience and philosophical exploration,” Apia wrote in her artist statement. “Through projects like “Exaggerations of History” and “Hi and Hello World”, I invite viewers to embrace diversity and celebrate often-overlooked voices. Each artwork, whether a miniature portrait or a vibrant installation, serves as a portal for reflection and dialogue on our shared humanity.”
The Armory will host an opening reception for “Threads of Time and Imagination” on Thursday, Sept. 12 (5:30-7:30 p.m.)For more information about the exhibition and to learn more about Apia, visit armoryart.org.
If You Go (Calendar Item)
Threads of Time and Imagination
September 3 – October 25, 2024
Opening Reception: Sept. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Armory Art Center
811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, 33401
About the Armory Art Center:
Having served the community for over 30 years, the Armory Art Center’s art school and galleries provide creative opportunities to enhance your life. The mission of the Armory Art Center is to inspire the creation and experience of art and the Armory’s vision is to be the leading community resource for arts education. Serving over 3,000 students annually, the Armory Art Center offers 160 courses per term in six terms throughout the year to students ranging in age from pre-school to retiree. Classes in drawing, painting, photography, jewelry, fiber & textiles, ceramics and sculpture are held in twelve state-of-the-art studios. Twelve exhibitions are hosted annually in three galleries. The Armory’s exhibitions, lectures and special events are open to the public.
The Armory is proud to have been the recipient of several awards in recent years, including The Palm Beach Post’s Best of Palm Beach County (2022 Best Art Gallery), Chamber of Commerce of The Palm Beaches (2021 Nonprofit of the Year), The Flamingos: Florida Weekly’s Best Awards (2021 Best Place to Create Art), the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County’s Muse Awards (2020 Legacy Award) and more.
For information, visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832-1776. The Armory Art Center is located at 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, Fla., 33401.
