"Staff Art Show 2011
The Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Blvd.
Cleveland, Ohio
NOW thru November 30, 2011
For more information about the exhibition, please contact:
Alison Bibb-Carson, 216-707-6898, abibbcarson@clevelandart.org
Caroline Guscott, 216-707-2261, cguscott@clevelandart.org
"Shaker Lakes 2010" by James McNamara, acrylics on canvas
I have heard so many terrific things about the Cleveland Museum of Art “Staff Art Show 2011” that I had to stop what I was doing and go see it today. This exciting and diverse show features 45 works by 42 staff members from all museum departments. What truly makes it so wonderful to me is to see works by friends and fellow artists Jim McNamara, Robin VanLear, Dexter Davis, Gail Trembly, Eric Rippert and Joan Neubecker hanging prominently in one of America's top 5 art museums. I am so proud and happy for everyone!
One of my absolute favorites in the show is Jim McNamara's "Shaker Lakes 2010" (top) I am delighted by the bold, vibrant energy and exuberant, spontaneous application of colors. It is apparent that he is deeply moved by his experiences with nature at our beloved Shaker Lakes. The purple trees seem to shimmy and sway to nature's fleeting song while the ground pulsates in warm yellows, oranges and greens.
Major influences on Jim’s work are Charles Burchfield, Paul Travis, Viktor Schrenkengost, Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Henri Matisse and the Fauves. You can see works by all of these artists at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Jim is always helpful, friendly and ready with positive news and good information when I have had the opportunity to talk to him on during visits to the art museum. I recently discovered that he designed an art training program for Cleveland Museum of Art protection services officers and that he was curator of the Cleveland Museum of Art Staff Invitational Show in 2007.
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"Face the Music 2010", Cleveland Museum of Art Chalk Festival
Jim is also a talented musician and composer. In this chalk drawing inspired by an original artwork and the lively piano keys below, you see and feel musical influences in the dramatic lines and bold colors.
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"Woman and Plant" by James McNamara |
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| Plants 2009 |
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| Pennfield Still Life, 2007, india ink, watercolor, colored pencil, 33" X 44" |
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Pumpkin and Chelsea, 2005, acrylics on masonite
I have only recently discovered the abundance of beautiful and diverse art that Jim creates when we exhibited together at the Clague Theater in Westlake earlier this year. I was intrigued even more after seeing Jim’s work in the “Staff Art Show 2011” and wanted to know more about his art background. Jim was educated at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Cleveland State University. He is highly prolific and has created hundreds of paintings and drawings. His work is featured in private collections in New York, California, Texas and Cleveland, Ohio and in prominent local public collections including The Severance Hall Musical Education Department, Coventry Library in Cleveland Hts. and the Cleveland Children’s Museum.
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Jim, a passionate arts advocate in the Cleveland arts community, once served on the board of the Cleveland Artists Foundation.
Jim can often be found drawing and working on new ideas for paintings.
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| Pages from Jim's sketchbooks |
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| Jim captures himself, the beauty and details of nature in his cellphone pictures |
James McNamara Exhibition Highlights
2011 - Cleveland Museum of Art, "Staff Art Show 2011", November 1- 30, 2011
2011 – Serafino Gallery Exhibit, Little Italy, Cleveland, Ohio, January
2011 - "James McNamara and Anna Arnold", Clague Playhouse, Westlake, Ohio, March – April
2009 – “Variations: Still Life Paintings by James McNamara”, Cleveland Botanical Gardens, June 12 – August 2
2009 - "Those Who Protect Also Create", Fairmount Center for the Arts, Novelty, OH.,
2007 - Cleveland Museum of Art Staff Invitational Art Show, September 4 -28, Curator: James P. McNamara, Beachwood Public Library, Beachwood, OH.
http://www.laprensatoledo.com/Stories/2007/082407/CMA.htm
2006– “The Fellowship Show: Cleveland Museum of Art Employees”, Doubting Thomas Gallery, Tremont, Cleveland, OH., May
Community artist in Education
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| Jim teaching workshops in Beachwood in 2010. Photos by Margaret Reardon |
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In addition to being a skillful and accomplished artist, Jim is also a knowledgeable and engaging independent art educator. Jim was recently a visiting artist at Shaw High School in East Cleveland. He shared his art while he discussed his unique creative work processes with students. He has taught workshops at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Mentor Public Library and the Beachwood Public Library.
Jim also gives private drawing and painting lessons and has work for sale in his studio.
In 2012, Jim looks forward to more art opportunities and is ready to take on large-scale community mural projects, continue as a visiting artist educator in the schools, teaching adult and children's workshops and accepting private commissions.
Jim also gives private drawing and painting lessons and has work for sale in his studio.
In March 2012, Jim will offer a drawing and painting workshop at the Mentor Public Library.
In 2012, Jim looks forward to more art opportunities and is ready to take on large-scale community mural projects, continue as a visiting artist educator in the schools, teaching adult and children's workshops and accepting private commissions.
To see more of his work, schedule school visits or private lessons, contact Jim McNamara at: james.mcnamara1963@gmail.com
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