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North Lake artist returns to campus
"New Studio Dog," by Rachel McClung-Beer
By Marielle Perrault
Retired art professor Rachel McClung-Beer returns to North Lake College (NLC) with her show, Edge Echoes, through Feb. 13 in the Central Campus Gallery. The college’s first full-time art professor will be welcomed by the community during an Artist Reception, Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Gallery. Music and refreshments included.
Serving on the DCCCD Planning Team that designed the college campus, Rachel McClung-Beer also helped establish North Lake’s first and only art gallery. Her idea originated after a large mudslide changed the building configuration, leading NLC to create an additional open space next to the Performance Hall. Rachel asked the administration to designate the space “Gallery” on the new set of plans. The rest is art history.
“Rachel has titled her exhibition Edge Echoes as a reference to the content and ideas of her new work, but I think the title hints at even more,” says NLC art professor Marty Ray. “It symbolizes a continuing circle of art exhibits at North Lake; now with art created by the very person who made the circle begin."
Upon her retirement in 2004, McClung-Beer hung a show in the gallery of all black-and-white compositions. Edge Echoes, conversely, includes flat patches of exaggerated color, multi-layered applications of opaque paint (gouache), and reductive composition building with 1- and 2-inch brushstrokes. It reflects her travel experiences, home and studio life, and just the sheer joy of living.
“All of the work, the paintings and the small mixed-media works, give us a look into Rachel's world that she has discovered and now brings to light for us,” explains Ray. “She has returned to North Lake once again to inspire us through art, her art!”
McClung-Beer creates art in the home she and her deceased husband, Bob Beer, established on Cedar Creek Lake in Tool, Texas. She describes herself as a "scavenger" artist, finding inspiration from things she collects during her travels or afternoon walks and from the images of the life, people and pets around her.
The North Lake College Central Campus is located at 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Las Colinas. It is a destination on the new DART Orange Line, which opened Dec. 3, 2012.
North Lake College is a member of the Dallas County Community College system. Educational opportunities are offered by the Dallas County Community College District without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression.
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