JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A collection in copper highlights this artistic display.
“Impressions,” an exhibition by Vinco native Alexis Kovalovsky, is on display through Sept. 26 in the Goldhaber-Fend Fine Arts Center gallery at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.
The metal-tooled copper pieces depict animals, nature and landmarks created by the New Kensington, Westmoreland County, artist.
“My husband and I are avid travelers, so some of the pieces are snapshots from trips, both near and far,” said Kovalovsky, who is a senior high art teacher in Armstrong School District.
“Others capture local places that reflect our roots. The rest are moments or images I find beautiful or inspiring.”
She said art doesn’t always need to have a deep meaning.
“Sometimes, it’s just about what our souls are drawn to,” Kovalovsky said. “Animals, nature and people just existing all have their own quiet beauty, and I try to express that in my work.”
Kovalovsky, whose work also includes paintings, drawings and photography, said she started working in copper in 2019 after doing a metal-tooling project with her students.
‘3D version of 2D art’
“My example was a bridge in Pittsburgh, and I kind of fell in love with the medium,” she said. “It’s not that I don’t still paint or draw, but copper is such a tactile material. Instead of focusing on traditional elements like color and value, I get to explore depth and texture.
“It’s like a 3D version of 2D art.”
Kovalovsky said the show’s title, “Impressions,” has a dual meaning.
“It reflects both the physical process of creating impressions in the metal, and the idea of capturing impressions of moments, places and personalities,” she said.
The exhibition includes 23 works made up of Kovalovsky’s existing body of copper art.
“The work spans from the first piece in 2019, ‘Riveted,’ to the most recent one, ‘Rush,’ which I just completed in July,” she said.
Sparks interest
Kovalovsky said that when creating, she first needs to see something that sparks her interest or have an idea she wants to explore.
“I sketch it out to scale, and then transfer that drawing onto the surface I’m working on – pressed into copper, onto canvas for a painting, or cleaned up on fresh paper for a pencil drawing,” she said. “I just create what speaks to me – things, places and moments I find beautiful.”
She said she doesn’t have a specific system she follows when working on her art.
“When I draw people, I always save the eyes for last.
“Once the eyes are done, the person feels complete, and I find myself paying less attention to the rest,” Kovalovsky said. “I work in spurts with a lot of downtime in between. If I have a full day, I can finish a piece in one sitting. Otherwise, I work an hour here or there until it’s done.”
She said she hopes people who see her work will feel something in it, whether it’s a connection, a memory or just a moment of quiet reflection.
“My work isn’t meant to be overly conceptual,” Kovalovsky said. “I just want to share beauty in the way I see it. If someone walks away feeling moved, or even just a little more aware of the details around them, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”
Kovalosky previously exhibited her paintings, drawings and photography in a show at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, and her pieces are regularly accepted into the juried Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival.
Angela R. Godin, executive director of the arts center, said Kovalovsky’s art is wonderful.
“Watching an artist expand and challenge themselves with new mediums while continuing to grow and sustain their current ones is a beautiful thing,” she said. “Her soul loves art, and that makes her not only a talented artist, but an exceptional arts educator as well.
“It has been a blessing to feature her and watch her talents expand.”
‘Set up inside’
In addition, Kovalovsky will be a featured indoor vendor at the Log House Arts Festival Saturday and Sunday.
“I’ll be set up inside the gallery room where my copper work is displayed,” she said.
“I’ll be selling other artwork – paintings and drawings, including both originals and prints.
“If you stop by, you may even catch me working. I often bring a drawing or a copper piece to work on during shows.”
To celebrate the exhibition, a wine and cheese reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 6.
“I’ll be giving an artist’s talk, and doing a question-and-answer session,” Kovalovsky said.
“Being an art teacher makes it easy to talk about my work and process, and I genuinely enjoy those conversations.”
A video tour of the works of art can be found on the arts center’s YouTube and Facebook page.
For more information on Kovalovsky’s artwork, visit www.alexiskart.com.
There is no admission fee to attend the exhibition.
Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
For more information, call 814-255-6515 or visit www.caccc.org.