Gray, an artist for more than four decades, will answer questions about her work at an artist's reception from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in Room 203 of the East Building. The public is invited to attend the reception and free exhibit, which will be available noon-3 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-7 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 7 at the campus, 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike.
"Ambiguous Space" is Gray's approach to understanding its complexities. She is a master at creating a visual language through color and gesture using layers of interlocking planes and subtle marks to imbue a two-dimensional surface The pieces in the exhibit continues her use of non-representational mixed media works using fresco, polymer paint, glazes and Venetian Gem™ plaster on board but the "theme" is more about the scientific angles of space. In the end, each work opens the door to one's personal interpretation and connection to one's own life.
A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Gray has always been drawn toward intellectual endeavors coupled with a strong interest in science. She has held many art-related positions, including courtroom artist for WGAL-TV, covering criminal trials for TV news in central Pennsylvania and for the Pennsylvania Superior Court in Philadelphia and The United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. A few of her works also appeared on the Arts & Entertainment Channel's American Justice.
In 1991, Gray opened her Studio on North Queen Street in the heart of Lancaster's "SOHO" and presents solo exhibits, most often in conjunction with city-wide events. Exhibiting since 1967, her past themes have included "Art and Censorship - Our Environment" (1991), "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" (1992), "Artists, Bikers and Attorneys" (1993), "A Journey to the Canadian Rockies" (1998) and "Consumermania" (2005).
Solo exhibitions outside of her studio have included her most recent "Unknown Ends II" at the Lancaster Arts Hotel Gallery (last month) and "Unknown Ends" at the Troupe Gallery in Lancaster (2006). Among the numerous group exhibitions are "One Loop at a Time," a national juried exhibition in the Ice House Gallery in West Virginia (2006) and "The Paris Experience - Franklin & Demuth" through the Demuth Foundation Invitational as well as in the "100% Centennial" of the Carnegie Mellon Century Fine Art Alumnae Exhibition in Pittsburgh.
And with great thrill, Gray also exhibited in the "Motorcycles and Art" national juried exhibition at the Susquehanna Art Museum (2004) where five of her works were represented amid those of Andy Warhol and Richard Prince. She was juror for the April 2007 Franklin & Marshall Spring Student Art.
When not in the studio, Gray and her husband, Mayor Richard Gray of Lancaster, hit the roads on their motorcycles, but she always brings a set of watercolors along for the ride. And at 65 years of age, the combination of the thrill of travel and the quality and style of her work in partnership with her capabilities keep her young-at-heart.