The James A. Michener Art Museum is presenting CFEVA at 40: Four Decades of Supporting Contemporary Art, on view Feb. 17-May 26. The Michener celebrates the Center for Emerging Visual Artists’ milestone year with an exhibition that symbolically includes the work of 40 contemporary artists affiliated with the center who represent the region’s artistic excellence.
CFEVA felt that a partnership with the Michener was particularly significant as the goal of celebrating regional artists remains at the heart of both organizations’ missions.
“The Center for Emerging Visual Artists’ 40th anniversary is a significant milestone for our organization,” said CFEVA board chair and co-curator Maida R. Milone. “It’s no mean feat to sustain a regional arts organization dedicated to supporting the careers of visual artists, especially those in the early stages of those careers. When we took stock of the artists who have been affiliated with CFEVA over these four decades, we were so heartened to see that many of them are now in the collection of this important arts institution.”
Ranging from established members of the avant-garde to rising stars, the exhibition features over 70 works that will be new to regular Michener visitors.
“I think what is most exciting about the CFEVA at 40 exhibition is that several of these important contemporary artists have never shown their work at the museum before,” said Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest chief curator Dr. Laura Turner Igoe.
Those selected to represent the over 300 fellows whom CFEVA has mentored over four decades include Vincent Desiderio, Katie Baldwin, Rita Bernstein, Ziui Chen, Ada Trillo and Tim Portlock. Also represented are established artists who have given their time and talent as advisors, including the late Ray K. Metzker, Will Barnet and Sidney Goodman, and current advisor Donald Camp.
The exhibition is curated by Maida R. Milone and Genevieve Coutroubis.
CFEVA was founded in 1983 as a support system for the visual artists of the Greater Philadelphia region. Since its inception, the organization has dedicated itself to making art careers viable for those who choose them. To this end, CFEVA strives to help visual artists reach their audiences and grow the interest and understanding of visual art among community members. 2023 marked CFEVA’s 40th year of serving artists through its prestigious fellowship program. The artist fellows, chosen by CFEVA’s artistic advisors, go on to shape the region’s cultural community as leaders in the arts. The center’s mission remains important to maintaining and expanding the creative environment and economy of the Philadelphia region. Though CFEVA artists come from a wide range of backgrounds and work across all mediums, they share one common trait: artistic excellence.
The museum will host the following events connected to the exhibition:
- Curator Conversation: Maida Milone in Conversation with Artist Chelsey Luster, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1 to 2 p.m.
- Workshop: CFEVA at 40: Mixed Media College, Thursday, March 7, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Panel Discussion: Art After Dark: Meet the Artists from CFEVA at 40, Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m.
Details can be found at michenerartmuseum.org. The museum is located at 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown.
