At the Schlesinger Center Margaret W. & Joseph L. Fisher Gallery
Anne Bouie
“Sacred Earth, Healing Water”
Mixed Media and Assemblage

Friday, October 11 – November 11, 2013

Opening Reception Saturday, October 12, 2013,

4 -6 pm with Artist’s Talk at 5 pm

“Sacred Earth, Healing Water”, an exhibition of mixed media and assemblage work by Anne Bouie, is on display from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, November 11 in the Margaret W. and Joseph L. Fisher Art Gallery, located in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center at the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. The opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 4 -6 pm with Artist’s Talk at 5 pm. The Gallery Hours are 10am—4pm Monday-Friday and during performances.

Anne Bouie’s draws her creative inspiration from timeless, universal spiritual principles found in ancient, indigenous cultures that use art to heal, teach, and sustain meaning.  Through her art, Anne brings these teachings into contemporary context, keeping them alive so they continue to speak to us of our connection to the Invisible, and to one another.  She explains, “In pre-conversion cultures and even in contemporary spiritual traditions, along with the essential purpose of contributing beauty to life, art serves as a medium to connect with, and acknowledge the existence of consciousness on “both sides of the veil”.”

Ms Bouie’s use of botanicals in her artwork requires an intimate knowledge of seasons, cycles and the local landscape.  She needs to know where specific plants grow and how to gather them without harming the sources. She also explores the beauty and utility in castaway objects she gathers during walks and travels. Anne’s intentional use of these components in her artwork results in a multi-layered experience for viewers.  Anne elaborates, “The composition of work involves an interaction with the piece itself and its components. I often find that the piece itself has something it wants to say and I have come to respect that. It feels like we are working together to produce something of meaning—not just for ourselves—but for the viewer as well.” By creating artworks that are a synthesis of unexpected combinations, Anne challenges the prevailing conception of people, places and things to present an opportunity for viewers to see common objects with new eyes

Anne Bouie’s pivotal moment as an artist came during a meeting of the Black Artists of DC when she was encouraged to “stop sitting on her art ideas, and get busy doing it”.  In 2006, her work was accepted in “Found”, an exhibit sponsored by Black Artists of DC.  She has been working as an artist since then.  Ms. Bouie has exhibited extensively locally, including Bowie State University, The Reginald Lewis Museum, The Joan Hisaoka Gallery and the Arts Club of Washington.  She has also participated in exhibits in California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and India. She is a member of the Black Artists of D.C., Millennium Arts Salon, Washington D.C. and the Washington Sculpture Group.

The Fisher Art Gallery is located on the upper level of the Schlesinger Center, and is named for local artist, the late Margaret “Peggy” Fisher and her husband, Joseph Fisher.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and during performances. See Anne Bouie’s exhibition  “Sacred Earth, Healing Water” from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, November 11, 2013 with an opening reception on Saturday, October 12, 4 – 6 pm and Artist’s Talk at 5 pm.