Local Art Seen: Emily Hayes at Studio 15

Quite a few of us here were disappointed when Ochre Ghost closed after a three year run. The small-space gallery was a perfect venue for under-the-radar talent in the region's vibrant art scene.

Emily Hayes, Friday eve at Studio 15

Lydia Walker seems to have revived the category in a new space three blocks west of Lake Avenue called Studio 15. It's a much more spacious venue offering opportunity for more developed shows. It's also, in essence, a phantom gallery of pop-up gallery in that it is housed in a temporarily vacant building space.

I first met Walker when I was paired with her in an Artist Kamikaze show several years back. She was working three jobs at the time, including shifts at Pineapple Arts. She had twin passions for fine art photography and raising awareness on behalf of the homeless in our community. A photographer and painter, we collaborated on a couple pieces that won no prizes but were thought-provoking.

This large piece by Hayes is quite compelling.

Walker's Studio 15 space currently hosts an exhibition of paintings by Emily Hayes, a young self-taught artist who has shown her work in Montana, Oregon and California. Hayes paints for the purpose and pleasure of painting, and is producing some fascinating work. Many of the pieces remind me of a style I have adopted myself, combining abstract impressionist backgrounds with representational images in the fore. Her high school painting class set her onto a trajectory that seems to have been blossoming well.

Studio 15 is located on Third Avenue West just up from Superior Street midway up the block on the left. Store hours are:
Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Noon till 4 p.m.

For more information follow Studio 15 Gallery on Facebook.