September-October Gallery Exhibition at Sertoma Arts Center

Sertoma Arts Center's new September-October Exhibitions feature work from Fabrizio Bianchi, Janie Johnson, Janine LaBlanc, Abby Lee Vandegraft, and Lynda Suzanne Wright. 

Artwork will be on display from September 5 through October 30, 2024.  

An opening reception will be held at Sertoma Arts Center on Saturday, September 7, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

An Artist Demonstration featuring Fabrizio Bianchi and Janie Johnson is planned for September 28. 

Exhibition Artwork

About the Artists

Fabrizio Bianchi (he/him/his)

"Pathways to Discovery"

Fabrizio’s work is his expression of what he calls a Venn diagram radiating from traversing ovals of duality. They represent his view of North and Latin American cultures, digital and traditional art, tranquility and chaos, and precision and spontaneity. The combination of acrylics, inks, heat tools have generated unique compositions that “cannot exist without the synchronous blend and clash of fire and water.” Certain echoes of cultures that shaped Fabrizio are embedded in his 'graffiti-scapes' inspired by graffiti in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the imaginary landscapes of Italian futurists, Chilean Surrealist Roberto Matta, and the timeless writings of Jorge Luis Borges. 

Biography 

Fabrizio Bianchi is a third-generation Latinx artist living and working in Durham, North Carolina. Over the years, he has created a wide range of acrylic works in different forms of abstract landscapes and has recently added woodburning, homemade charcoal and laser burning as tools of his artistic toolbox. He has displayed his work in various venues across North Carolina, New Mexico, Virginia, and Argentina. He earned his Bachelor in Painting from East Carolina University, and his Master in Painting at the University of New Mexico. Fabrizio has been teaching traditional and digital art classes over the years and aims to expand his practice into other venues in the Triangle and online. 

Instagram: @fabzart21

Janie Johnson (she/her/hers) 

"Pathways of Discovery"

Teaching others about art is a significant part of Janie's journey. She believes that everyone can and should enjoy the process of creating art, and she finds immense joy in helping others discover their own artistic potential. Art, for Janie, is more than just a medium of expression; it is a therapeutic practice that enables her to live fully in the moment, free from the burdens of the past or worries about the future. 

Today, Janie paints for herself, driven by a deep-seated need to create rather than the desire to sell. Her work is a reflection of her inner world, a space where she finds solace and joy. Through her art, Janie aims to share this sense of peace and presence, hoping to inspire others to find their own creative paths. 

Biography 

Art has always been a journey for Janie, one that began with discouragement but has blossomed into a passionate and fulfilling pursuit. In seventh grade, a teacher's dismissive words nearly snuffed out her creative spark. It wasn't until her 30s that she rediscovered her love for art and embarked on a trans-formative career. Janie began making up for lost time by enrolling in every art class that she could find. Initially, she immersed herself in watercolors, captivated by their fluidity and luminosity. Over the years, her artistic practice has expanded to include abstract acrylics, oil and cold wax. This evolution has allowed her to explore and express the diverse themes that inspire her—florals, landscapes, and abstract forms. Janie has continued to study various art forms with established artists around the country. Learning is never complete, and Janie shares her passion and encourages others, affirming that art is a journey of discovery and joy. 

Facebook: Janie McDermott Johnson | Instagram: @ptartist | Website: Janiejohnsonartist.com

Janine LeBlanc (she/her/hers)

"Peyote Stich Beadwork: Note in the Pocket Series"

These peyote stitch beadwork compositions are based on printed and plush fabric designs. These fabrics once interpreted a pattern from nature. They were then photographed and re-interpreted into patterns using the BeadTool 4 computer program and hand sewn into a beaded form. The Artist enjoys the dislocation that occurs when objects are removed, in multiple steps, from their original form and reworked into another medium. The transformation goes from of soft to hard, images into pixels and realism to abstraction. 

Biography 

After earning a BFA in Graphic Design from Massachusetts College of Art in 1976, Janine LeBlanc worked for more than 20 years in the design industry. In 2000, she enrolled in the graduate program at the College of Design at NCSU intending to design fabric but found museum work instead. After exploring many different textile techniques, she returned to beadweaving in 2013 and to creating compositions in 2018. The Artist lives in Raleigh and recently retired from the Gregg Museum of Art & Design. 

Website: Beanwhite.crevado.com 

Abby Lee Vandegrift (she/her/hers)

"Regarding Complements"

Growing up on the outskirts of the Apalachicola National Forest, Abby learned to appreciate the stillness and restlessness of nature. From the perfection of spirals and patterns to complimentary colors, nature finds ways to be eternally interesting. Abby is particularly fond of birds in sedentary positions, displaying parts of their character in such small increments one has to be willing to wait to seE more. She finds there are always new things to discover and new questions to ponder, whether observing plants or animals.   

Regarding Complements is Abby's attempt to share delight in the outdoor world with the viewer.  

Biography 

Abby has drawn and created since she was a small child. Around 10 years ago, she felt an intense pull toward a more focused artistic practice and discovered the joys of watercolor. Abby is currently pursuing a Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration from the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. She works primarily in watercolor, colored pencil, ink & graphite, and is also a freelance graphic designer. She currently resides in Knightdale, NC with her husband and two sons. 

Website: abbyvandegrift.com | Instagram: @abbyleev | Facebook: Abby Lee Vandegrift

Lynda Suzanne Wright (she/her/hers)

"Take a Closer Look"

“Take a Closer Look” is Lynda Suzanne Wright’s upcoming exhibit at Sertoma Arts. Her photography had led her to examine the work she had already created up to 2020. During the pandemic, she experimented, adding various textures to her work.  She combined her photography with other layers, such as her own watercolor pieces, layering several photos with the original inspirational piece, whether photo or painting. She experimented with elements of paper or painted canvas strips and ephemera.  Lynda had been experimenting with dried botanicals and had created several collages as gifts.  She retrieved a few blossoms from her studio that had, so far, gone unappreciated. She began to layer 3-dimensional objects with the background.  While looking deeply into the layered backgrounds she had created, she realized that if she instinctively added botanicals to enhance the colors and shapes living in the piece, various objects began to “jump out” of the art when others saw them. The next addition was tiny highlights of metallic acrylic paint. Following those came low and high-lighting with ink. Lynda added a wax seal to each piece. Lynda does all her own printing and drying of botanicals. 

Biography 

Lynda Wright, Photographer and Mixed Media artist, combines photography, watercolor, acrylic, dried botanicals, ink, and wax. She is a retired professional singer and vocal music teacher, but visual art has always been important.  As a young teen, she was encouraged by a close relative to study a myriad of artistic expression.  Since 2017, Lynda has shown her work in over 20 galleries in Raleigh, Cary, Wilmington, and New Bern. In the fall of 2023, she served as Artist-in-Residence for TrilliumArts, Mars Hill, NC.  

Lynda and her husband, Jeff, live in N. Raleigh. She stays active in multiple avenues of the arts (music, visual arts, creative writing), and does not believe she can successfully separate them.  She is actively creating new work at all times in her home studio. She seeks inspiration through reading, travel, and photography. She enjoys spending time with family, and also considers cooking an art. 

Her art will be displayed in the Sertoma Hallway Gallery in order to encourage visitors to view the exhibit up close.  Lynda is honored to be a part of something which may bring joy, and perhaps inspiration, to others. 

Facebook: Lynda Suzanne Wright