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Asturian-American Painters Showcased in GSC Gallery
Tue Jan 20, 2015


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 15, 2015

For more information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations and Marketing
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV—Glenville State College is currently showcasing the paintings of artist Art Zoller Wagner, but with a twist. His exhibit also includes pieces by his mother Honnie Wagner and his grandfather Emilio Fernandez for a dynamic show that encompasses around 100 years of culture and history in West Virginia's Asturian communities that got their start in the early 1900s. The show is on display in the GSC Fine Arts Center Spears Gallery.

The exhibit titled ‘Three Generations of Asturian-American Painters’ shows the works of three generations within one immigrant family of realist painters. Beginning with an enterprising Spanish immigrant to West Virginia around 1917, continuing with the retrospective reflections expressed by his daughter, and extending to his grandson, whose introspective works explore longing and connection. “We offer this visual journey as a metaphor for the multigenerational immigrant experience in West Virginia,” said Art Wagner.

Asturias, a region along the northern coast of Spain, saw many of its residents come to the United States due to high unemployment and punishing labor conditions during the early 1900s. A significant number of Asturian's ended up in Harrison County, West Virginia where they made their homes and worked in zinc smelting factories.

“This exhibit is of great historical and cultural significance for Glenville State College. We are honored and excited to showcase this work for the campus and community,” said GSC Associate Professor of Art Liza Brenner.

The show is open to the public and will run until Friday, March 6th. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and one hour before all GSC Fine Arts events. An opening reception is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 26th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center gallery.

For more information, contact Brenner at Liza.Brenner@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6346.

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