Art Gallery

Quad City Arts presents fiber art by Patricia Hobbs & Maria Montalvo, ceramic sculpture by Sara Simonson, and paper sculpture by Laurie LeBreton

From August 31-October 30, 2023, Quad City Arts’ Art at the Airport presents fiber art by Patricia Hobbs and Maria Montalvo with ceramic sculpture by Sara Simonson, all of Macomb, IL, and paper sculpture by Laurie LeBreton of Chicago.

Sara Simonson, Maria Montalvo, and Patricia Hobbs are three creative friends living and working in Macomb, Illinois. When the three friends realized that their work shared some common themes, they proposed a joint exhibition to Quad City Arts. Quad City Arts agreed that the three would bring a dynamic exhibit and added the work of papermaker Laurie LeBreton to the mix. Most of the work falls under the category of “fiber art” but each utilizes different materials and processes. While Simonson’s work is made of clay rather than fiber, she fabricates modular units out of clay that are shaped like individual quilt pieces which she arranges on walls in quilt-like patterns. Patricia Hobbs pushes the notion of traditional quilting by adding found objects into her quilted wall hangings and choosing subjects that are more commonly found in paintings rather than quilts. Hobbs also creates figurative sculptures using a variety of materials. Maria Montalvo, a multi-faceted artist, exhibits her hand dyed and felted objects that range from teapots to abstract vessels. LeBreton is a papermaker who likes to create multiples of the same shapes. She explains “Multiples highlight both changeability and commonality. As an artistic strategy, they offer an opportunity for experimentation within a structure, for stillness with many variations. As a visual strategy, they calm a busy eye.”

This exhibition offers a visual playground of colors, textures and shapes from four women who push the boundaries of traditional materials to create an exciting experience.

In addition to the airport gallery, the artist’s works can be seen and purchased online: https://www.shopquadcityarts.com/airport-gallery.