JWCC Heath Center art gallery to be site of show by Quincy artist Brown-DeClue

QUINCY — The John Wood Community College Heath Center art gallery will be the site of artwork by Amanda Brown-DeClue through March 25.

Brown-DeClue is originally from Camdenton, Mo., and now lives in Quincy and works for the Quincy Art Center as the administrative assistant and the Beaux Arts Ball and volunteer coordinator. She has recently had work exhibited and awarded at the Hannibal (Mo.) Arts Council. She also is one of 11 artists selected to have their artwork printed and displayed on traffic boxes around Hannibal. Her traffic box can be viewed at the 1700 block of Market in front of Eugene Field Elementary School. Her works also have been exhibited at the Alliance Art Gallery in Hannibal and at Quincy Art Center.

Most of her pieces are realistic paintings, predominantly consisting of landscapes done in soft pastels. The subject matter is of places she’s been to and has fond memories of. Her collection also includes abstract work featuring color-washed backgrounds that support intricate geometric drawings. She has extended the use of these drawings as graphic designs because of the rich patterns and texture they have.

“My love for creating realistic works of art correlates with my love of traveling and documenting those travels with photography,” Brown-DeClue said in a press release. “I use my own photos as references to create my artwork. This lets me connect to the viewer and lets me talk about my travels. When I am creating abstract artwork, it gives me a nice reprieve from the realistic side of art. The abstract pieces challenge me differently, because I have to use my imagination as opposed to drawing from life or a photograph. Both styles are beneficial to my growth as an artist.”

Brown-DeClue also sells jewelry and other products featuring her artwork online through Zazzle. Follow her on Facebook at AmandaStudioCreations.

Most pieces will be for sale. The college retains a portion of each sale to enhance the arts education program at JWCC through the Foundation Office.

The JWCC Heath Center art gallery is at 48th and Harrison on the lower-level of the Paul Heath Fine Arts Center.  The gallery is open during normal college hours Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.

To learn more about fine art programs at JWCC, visit www.jwcc.edu. For more information about the exhibit, contact Jenna Seaborn, JWCC Heath Center art gallery curator, at jseaborn@jwcc.edu or 217-653-3246.