Mixed-Media Exhibition by Maria Ojascastro and Rudy Zapf Opens Tonight at COCA

COCA presents a collaborative mixed-media exhibition by Maria Ojascastro and Rudy Zapf, June 13 - September 7, in the Millstone Gallery at COCA. Both artists will exhibit recent works layering prints, paint, text and found objects as a meditation on resilience. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

"Breathe: Maria Ojascastro and Rudy Zapf" will be on view at the Millstone Gallery at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63130, Friday, June 13 - Sunday, September 7, with an Opening Reception set for Friday, June 13, at 6:00pm; Artists' remarks at 6:30pm.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Maria Ojascastro has been a visual arts faculty member at COCA since 2007. In addition to her work with COCA's Interchange and COCAbiz programs, Ojascastro presents professional development workshops for various educational institutions including Washington University's Brown School of Social Work and the Kemper Art Museum. She also teaches arts and wellness workshops through several cancer networks including the Siteman Cancer Center and the Cancer Support Community. Ojascastro received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and her Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She began her teaching career at Churchill Center & School for Learning Disabilities and was an instructor at The Moog Center for Deaf Education from 2008 to 2011. Her mixed-media works on paper and canvas are inspired by the colors and textures in her garden, her travels abroad and her adventures as a mom of three creative and complex boys.

Rudy Zapf is a printmaker and mixed-media artist. Zapf received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drawing and Printmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1986. She has taught visual arts at COCA, the Contemporary Art Museum and Laumeier Sculpture Park, and has been a guest lecturer at Washington University, the Kemper Art Museum and Fontbonne University. Using memories, dreams and visual metaphors, Zapf asserts that intensely personal, private recollections carry the threads that bind the fabric of humanity together. She continues to revisit the ties that bind and the faith that holds when Alzheimer's drains all but the strongest elements from individuals and families. She has exhibited her work locally, regionally and internationally through the Cadaques Mini-Print Foundation in Spain.

COCA-Center of Creative Arts is a non-profit community arts center with a mission to enrich lives and build community through the arts. COCA connects our community to the arts through programs that emphasize social and artistic diversity, economic and cultural accessibility, hands-on experience of the artistic process, and the highest quality in our faculty. Founded in 1986, COCA is a national leader in innovative community arts education. COCA annually serves more than 50,000 area residents of all ages through multidisciplinary, multi-cultural arts programs that include educational classes, camps and workshops, both on-site and in community venues; COCAbiz; COCAedu; COCA Presents; and exhibitions of contemporary art in the Millstone Gallery.

To post a comment, you must register and login.