The Human Spirit - a 9/11 Tribute in Art

Online, September 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - On this 10th anniversary of 9/11, the new exhibit at Elisa Contemporary Art celebrates the human spirit and the ability to persevere...when everything around us has so dramatically changed. The exhibit, The Human Spirit, opens on September 9th and runs through November 5th.

We honor the ability to make sense out of chaos. To dream big and reimagine our world and our potential. We honor the everlasting presence of our loved ones. And the importance of appreciating the simple pleasures of life.

We honor a day, September 11 2001, that has forever changed our lives, and our perspectives.

The Human Spirit includes the artwork of:
* Austin artist, Ray Donley
* Hawaii Abstractionist, Connie Firestone
* Connecticut Figurative artist, Daryl Zang
* Emerging artist, Krzysztof Pastuszka
* Syracuse artist, Michael Barletta

And we share the personal 9/11 stories of our artists:

Austin Artist, Ray Donley
For Ray Donley, September 11th, 2001 was 11 days before he was scheduled to open his first New York solo show. He had planned and painted for the exhibit for more than one year. As he and his wife flew into New York on September 20th, the Twin Towers were still billowing smoke.

According to Ray "I was devastated by the attack first and foremost because of my great love for New York and the many friends who lived here. My solo show proceeded as planned opening on September 22nd, mainly due to the urging of then Mayor Giuliani for everyone to get "back to business." However, it was a disaster. There was so much grief and sadness that permeated the city."

His art then, as it is now, was poignant and reflective, and captures a very psychological element. He has never had a solo show in New York since and continues to feel almost superstitious about it.

For Hawaii Abstractionist, Connie Firestone:
"We got a call from our daughter at 5AM saying simply "turn on the television". There is something so ominous about that. I sat for hours, wrapped in a blanket, although it was quite warm, watching with our entire nation in broken-hearted shock; then I went to my studio and painted until the light was gone.

As soon as I had enough light the next morning, I was back working on three large canvases at once, crying and painting for 10 solid hours. I think I was trying to create guardians for the world."

You can see a painting from the Guardian series in our exhibit.

A reception with Artists Daryl Zang and Krzysztof Pastuszka will take place on Saturday, October 29th from 4-7pm

* What: The Human Spirit
* When: September 9 - November 5th, 2011
* Reception: Saturday, October 29th from 4-7pm
* Where: Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY
* Gallery Hours: Friday/Saturday 10 am - 6pm, and by Appointment (Days/Evenings/Sunday).

A portion of all gallery sales is donated to charities helping underserved children heal through art. We currently support Free Arts NYC, Creative Arts Workshops for Kids and Arts to Grow.