ARTISTS RECEPTION – Alvin Schultz – Evolution of an Artist- A Retrospective

What a journey to reflect on; the artwork by Alvin Schultz in his exhibition at the Mercer Gallery, Evolution of an Artist- A Retrospective, highlights almost 50 years of one man’s artistic journey. The Mercer Gallery is pleased to start the 2022/23 exhibition season with surreal illustrations, prints, and drawings of a long-time Garden City resident Alvin Schultz. His exhibition will take place in the gallery from August 15th until September 9th, with an artist’s reception on Saturday, August 20th in the morning from 10 am to noon. The Mercer Gallery is open Monday through Wednesday, from 9 AM to 4 PM, Thursdays from 9 AM to 10 PM, and Fridays from 9 am until 4 pm. For information, contact Gallery Director Michael Knutson. [email protected].

Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.

Alvin Schultz Artists Bio:
Born in Ellsworth, Kansas, but calling Garden City, Kansas ‘home’ since 1964.
As a child, I remember drawing on brown paper sacks, then typing paper and poster boards, progressing to all types of art mediums and paper. I was always doodling in school on the margins of my notebooks, which were as intricate with detail as my doodles are today.

Looking over my collection, there are a variety of mediums showcased. Pencil Drawings, Pen & Ink, Air Brush, Silk Screenings, Linoleum/woodblock prints, Copper Etchings, Photography, and my Ceramic paperweights. Growing up, I feel my strongest influences were: Comic Books, Comic Strips, and Editorial Cartoons. Later in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was Peter Max and the Pop Culture posters and record album covers. Also, the artwork of artists: Eric Sloane, MC Escher, and Frank Frazetta inspired my creativity. I credit my Art instructors: Ethel Hooper-Garden City Jr. High School, Galen Flora- Garden City High School, Bob Scott, Edward Nicklaus, and Michael Knutson-Garden City Community College. They gave me the tools and encouragement necessary and the ‘creative license to be myself. And lately, the ‘arm twist’ to enroll again, as a non-traditional student, to help stretch those ‘long lost’ artist muscles.

I feel Design is my most vital attribute. The Best description of my work would be that of a ‘Graphic Artist.’

Through the path of my Artistic journey, I’ve sold Editorial Cartoons for the Garden City Telegram, Holiday Advertisements for J&M Paint and Wallcovering, and submitted the Zebra logo for Lee Richardson Zoo. I have won various Honorable Mention and Grand Champion awards in the Professional category at the Kansas State Fair. And multiple awards at different Juried shows locally.

There are several themes throughout my work, such as Humor, Close-up Nature, especially leaves and devils claws, and detailed sections of cars and machinery. Plus, an occasional landscape or two.

My Goal is to invite the viewer to see ordinary objects or subject matter from a different perspective. If I can illicit an emotional response, such as laughter, a smile, or even a comment, negative or positive, I have accomplished my goal as an Artist.

I have plenty of time to make up, as I retired from 30+ years of retail work, and my art was put aside for a time. I am now looking forward to creating new pieces and experimenting with other art mediums, especially those in Printmaking.
I hope that by attending this show; you enjoy the journey of revisiting the past as much as I did