Artist's Work Contains Environmental Warning

• by Landis Arboretum

COOPERSTOWN, NY (03/25/2009)(readMedia)-- Ferdinand "Fred" Breglia is bringing his one-man show to the Cooperstown Art Association (CAA) April 3 -17 in conjunction with Earth Festival 2009 and the EcoArt/Trendy Trash Contest. Fifteen large-scale works by Breglia are complemented by his personal perspective/overview of global warming.

Breglia, who will speak at the CAA's opening reception on April 3 about his work, recycling and the environment, will be showcasing a diverse array of large-scale acrylic-on-canvas offerings, including:

• "Stuck," a three-dimensional hanging sculpture showing distressed faces in plaster;
• "Global Warming," the title piece of the show depicting the iconic Great Oak at the Arboretum, in deep distress;
• "Dave Yarrow," an homage to the environmental activist, who has been a major influence on Breglia; and
• "A Requiem for the Trees," a 16" x 20" painting illuminating a beautiful forest of trees as imagined on a ghostlike, moonlight night.

One of the show's centerpieces - and perhaps a Breglia favorite - the "Gyre" is a blend of plaster molds made from his and his wife Erin's faces, amid three-dimensional shapes of plastic bottles, forks, computer ink cartridges, and other pieces of modern plastic trash covered with murky layers of acrylic paint. The artwork brings attention to at least five areas in the world's oceans where currents have created a watery wasteland of plastic debris discarded from countries, garbage barges and ships.

Breglia is an ISA Certified Arborist and Head of Horticulture at Landis, the Capital Region's arboretum. He is a nationally recognized environmentalist, arborist, frequent speaker and educator.

Entries for the EcoArt/Trendy Trash Contest are still being accepted, to be displayed concurrently at the CAA with Breglia's exhibit. Local artists and all those with imagination are encouraged to create their own works of art using cast-off items such as old furniture, kitchen utensils, plastic containers, cardboard, glass and fabric. These discarded and/or recycled objects can be combined with an artistic flare and entered into the competition.

Winners of "Best in Show," "Judges' Choice" and "People's Choice" awards will receive cash prizes, with Special Merit and recognition in several other categories.

For two weeks prior to being displayed at Earth Festival 2009, this year's EcoArt/Trendy Trash entries will also be featured in this special exhibition at the CAA.

The exhibition's opening reception will be held on Friday, April 3 from 5 -7 p.m. at the CAA galleries at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY. Registered entries may be dropped off at the CAA on April 2 between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or by special arrangement (contact Holly Hren at 607-547-1858 or hollydazebed@yahoo.com).