Detroit Repertory Theatre to Host a Champagne Reception for Native Detroit Artist, James Jennings, 2/12

The Detroit Repertory Theatre's Lobby Gallery will host a Champagne Reception for native Detroit artist, James Jennings on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Mr. Jennings works are on exhibit during Detroit Repertory Theatre's performances of MY OCCASION OF SIN. The MEET THE ARTIST CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION is free and open to the public, and gives patrons an opportunity for an intimate experience with the artist and his works. Information about the Reception may be found by calling the Theatre at (313) 868-1347 or by visiting http://www.detroitreptheatre.com/gallery.htm.

Artist James Jennings

James Jennings studied Commercial Art and Crafts at Cass Tech, graduating in 1951. He received a Bachelors of Science in 1955 and a Masters of Education in 1962, both from Wayne State University. He has also participated in very prestigious arts programs abroad, including an Independent study/sabbatical for painting in Seville, Spain in 1962, and a Fulbright Study Abroad in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1982.

He has had a long and illustrious career as an educator, first in the Detroit Public Schools as a teacher, then as a supervisor, and finally as a Director of Art Education. He has also worked for Mercy High School, Wayne State University, and at the College for Creative Studies as the Director of Extension Programs. He currently is a Consultant to the Office of Fine Arts, Detroit Public Schools.

In his words, "As a native Detroiter, growing up in the Southwest part of the city, not far from downtown, I was exposed to a variety of cultures which may have sparked my desire to travel. I was also exposed to the sounds and sights of the city. The fast movements of vehicles and people still awaken my imagination as I often try to catch a glimpse of things around me. Sometimes it's the colors and shapes or the land, sky and water that I experienced when I took long walks from my home to the Detroit River.

"The works on view in oil, acrylic, printmaking and mixed media are a collection created over the years from the late sixties to the present. They express things and feelings of the time then and now."

Meet the Artist Champagne Reception at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, Wednesday February 12, 2014, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Free and Open to the public. Call (313) 868-1347 or visit www.detroitreptheatre.com. James Jennings works on exhibit during Repertory performances of MY OCCASION OF SIN (January 9 to March 16, 2014).

Original works of arts are displayed in the lobby of the Repertory throughout the DRT's season. Michigan artists submit their portfolios. When chosen, their works are exhibited and sold during the run of each DRT production. The Rep collects no commission.

The Detroit Repertory Theatre Lobby Gallery is alternative exhibition space for emerging and mid-career artists of the Metropolitan Detroit area. Space is given for one-person, two-person, or group theme shows of two-dimensional works of art.

Gilda Snowden has been curator of Exhibitions at the Detroit Repertory Theatre since 1987. Ms. Snowden is a Detroit-based artist, writer, lecturer and curator. She is Professor and Section Chair of Painting in the Fine Arts Department at the College for Creative Studies. In addition to numerous works in corporate and private collections, Gilda has five works in the Permanent Collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

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