Kristin Peterson Exhibit in Ray Frederick Gallery begins Mar. 1
Tuesday / February 21, 2017
Kristin Peterson will be the featured artist March 1-31 in MCC’s Ray Frederick Gallery.
Kristin Peterson of Marshalltown will be the next featured artist in the Ray Frederick Gallery on the Marshalltown Community College campus. The Peterson exhibit opens on Wednesday, Mar.1, at 12:15 pm with a public reception for the artist from 12:15 to 1:30 pm; light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will remain on display through noon Friday, Mar. 31.
Fascinated with art at a young age, Peterson exhibited in her first art show at the age of 6 or 7. She got more heavily into art during high school and then at MCC.
“It’s a pleasure for me to see how advanced Kristin’s work has become since she graduated from MCC in 2002,” says MCC Art Professor Tim Castle. “She’s devoted to craftsmanship, which is always important, and has a deep love of nature which shows in her imagery. Her watercolor work, in particular, is stunning in its richness. We are happy and proud to be bringing Kristin and her artwork back to her local alma mater.”
Peterson specializes in abstract landscapes with water media (acrylic paints and watercolors). Under Castle’s influence at MCC, she began keeping a “road trip journal” in which she makes quick sketches when she’s inspired … sketches that she later paints when she has time.
“I had a good experience at MCC,” says Peterson. “Tim lets you explore your talents, and never forces students to paint or draw in a certain way. For me, pursuing a degree in art was actually more about proving some of my critics and naysayers wrong than pursuing a lifelong dream … but it was a motivation that ended up working in my favor.” While at MCC, she heard about an “open portfolio” day being hosted in Des Moines and she went on a whim. Her portfolio was accepted on the spot, earning her a seat at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
Peterson transferred to SAIC, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Painting and Drawing.
Today Peterson works two full-time jobs and paints between shifts and on the weekends as she has time. She’s looking forward to springtime, when the landscapes are more colorful. In winter months, she finds inspiration from photos taken and shared by a friend in Arizona, and others.
Peterson currently has physical custody of her two nephews, Cody and Nevin. Inspired by her work, nephew Nevin enjoys making wire art, especially jewelry. He is now considering taking art classes at MCC.
Peterson has sold some of her artwork and given some of her pieces away. Some of her paintings on display at MCC will be for sale.
The Ray Frederick Gallery is open weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm in room 306 at MCC. For more information contact MCC Art Professor Tim Castle at 641-844-5776 or Tim.Castle@iavalley.sites.flyinghippo.com.