ZipStir - n. Slang. 1. One who is aware of or in accordance with the latest artistic trends and tastes. 2. An artist who uses coffee stirrers or zip ties for sculpture and/or installation.

The galleries are currently closed for the installation of our fall exhibition, ZipStir: Installations by Hong Seon Jang and Jonathan Brilliant and our Fall Artist-in-Residence Exhibition. Galleries will reopen on Friday, September 3 and our Fall Artists-in-Residence begin their residency term on September 6. Please join us for an opening reception celebration as we welcome our new artists and exhibitions, Friday, September 24 from 6 to 9 PM.

August 20th marks the closing reception for “Fried” and the end of the Center’s Summer Affiliate Artist term. The reception will be held on August 20th from 6 to 9 PM with a performance by de’Angelo Dia at 7:15 PM.

Tonight is the big night! Franco Mondini-Ruiz’s exhibition “Fried” opens in the Center’s main gallery celebrating all things fried and fun. A reception will be held from 6 to 9 PM with champagne and donuts for everyone while they last. Favoring contemporary kitsch, “Fried” explores the artistic journey of the human condition and American culture while challenging our assumption between “high” and “low” art. Mondini-Ruiz will be present for his world famous signature sales performance peddling value menu deals priced $99 and up. First come, first served! This event is free and open to the public. This opening reception also marks the arrival of our summer and 11-month affiliate artists who will be in their studios for the evening’s reception. Work from our summer affiliates can be seen on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Center located next to each of their studios. Keep reading to learn more:

ART: Fast food gets the royal treatment in Fried. Those of you who made New Year's resolutions to eat healthier need not look away from McColl Center for Visual Arts' upcoming exhibition Fried by artist Franco Mondini-Ruiz. Though it may make you hungry, the majority of food comprised in the exhibit is artificial -- and besides, there's no touching (so, don't even think about it, unless you just want to get kicked out). Mondini-Ruiz, who abandoned his career as an attorney to travel the creative route, was born to an Italian father and Mexican mother. He pegs this genetic combo as the result of his love for food, but also acknowledges his fascination for what food can represent, including community, nourishment and pleasure.