Armory Art Center Sets Two Exhibits

Jewelry by Adam Hawk

​(PRESS RELEASE)_Oct. 20, 2022 (WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) – The Armory Art Center will soon open two exhibitions in the coming weeks, “Verdant Bodies: A Contemporary Art Jewelry Exhibition” and “Radiant Nation: Masks”. Both exhibitions are located at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach and are free and open to the public.

“Verdant Bodies” will be on display in the Armory’s Montgomery Hall from Wednesday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. This exhibition offers insight into how makers in the art jewelry and metalsmithing fields interpret their environments. “Verdant Bodies” will explore topics such as ecology, evolution, species relationships, botanical, and cultural implications. The exhibition is organized by Alicia Jane Boswell, director of the Armory’s jewelry department and Maria Camera-Smith, resident artist. It is juried by contemporary jewelry artist, Diane Falkenhagen. The Armory invites the public to enjoy a free opening reception for the show on Friday, Oct. 28 (5 to 7 p.m.).

“Radiant Nation” will be on display in the East Gallery from Friday, Nov. 4 through Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. The show features a collection of reimagined radiotherapy masks transformed by artists into vibrant, powerful forms of expression. This exhibition is inspired by artist and cancer survivor David Charlowe. In 2019, after surviving a bout with cancer, Charlowe asked several artists to repurpose nearly two dozen radiation masks. 

Cancer patients use the masks to receive radiation treatment around the head and neck area. By utilizing different mixed media techniques, the artists imagine unique, thoughtful concepts and attitudes to depict life changing events. Each repurposed artist mask symbolizes the fortitude needed to survive radiation and cancer treatments. The exhibition is sponsored in part by the nonprofit, Sari Center for Integrative Cancer Care.

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