By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
The Art Lounge’s Art Deco opening reception is right around the corner, this Saturday, Feb. 22. According to the lounge’s founder, Shelly Hamsa, many people have inquired about purchasing the poster for the event, which was created by artist Cristina Piecuch. The artwork, which will be for sale at the lounge, displays two women from the Roaring 20s, one surfing a wave, and one preparing to dive off of a sunbeam. According to Piecuch, the piece was inspired by her time learning to surf on South Padre Island.
Piecuch’s journey with art began when she was a child. She was born in Peru; her family later moved to Michigan when she was a teenager. Her parents were supportive of her passion, enrolling young Piecuch in art classes and encouraging her to “work with her hands,” which she loved to do.
“I was a kid who really enjoyed building things, playing with things, getting messy. What I loved about art was that it is an excuse to do all those things,” said Piecuch.
At Black River High School, she took every single art class she could, including advanced, college-level courses. She continued to further her art education at Grand Valley State University, earning a degree in illustration. There, she took art history courses, where she was formally introduced to the Art Deco era.
According to the New York Public Library’s Art Deco Research Guide, Art Deco was an international decorative style popular from 1919 to 1939, initially known as “le style moderne” or “Jazz Moderne.” It was first born in France and attracted international notice in 1925. In art, it’s characterized by sleek, geometric shapes, streamlined forms, bold colors and often luxurious materials Piecuch says her ever-changing artistic style is heavily influenced by the Art Deco era, which is why she is so excited about this upcoming show at the lounge. She explained that the amount of skill needed to create the intricate designs of the era, which were all done by hand, is what initially drew her. According to Piecuch, she enjoys combining intense graphic forms and detailing, with a flourish of bold stark color and intricacy. She also likes to play with different mediums, but consistently gravitates to her favorite themes, including animals, nature and female figures.
According to Piecuch, one of her favorite influences is Alphonse Mucha, an artist whose career spanned through the sinous and dynamistic Art Nouveau era into Art Deco, and he too displayed a similar fondness for painting the female figure in pieces like Gismunda and Princess Hyacinth.
“I loved the ornate use of gold and decorative elements,” said Piecuch. “I love the drama of the time…I think that’s what really inspired me.”
The Art Lounge has held several exhibits with lively opening receptions since its inception in May 2022, all of which have included Piecuch’s artwork. The lounge’s artists create pieces tailored to the particular assigned theme but find ways to incorporate the landscape and/or culture of the Island, to cultivate a relevancy with its residents. When embarking on the creation of her Art Deco pieces, Piecuch asked herself what she loved about South Padre. Her first answer: food, specifically shrimp. This led to the creation of her piece Shrimp Cocktail, which features a woman from the Roaring 20s, lounging in a large golden martini glass, as shrimp and lemons rain down on her, in front of a glorious gold fountain. She says this piece is the one she’s most excited to display for the public.
“I wanted to create a series that paid homage to that era of graphic design…but also making it about here, and glamming it up,” said Piecuch.
According to Piecuch she spent a week each creating her six her pieces that will be displayed as part of the Art Deco exhibition, alongside Anavey Donae’s silver ring collection, Angel Loo’s mesmerizing oil-on-canvas pieces, Ivan Benavides’ bold woodwork sculptures, Carol Plumb’s Deco Spaceship, Vie Dunn-Harr’s signature floral designs with a 1920s flair and Jeanna Pena’s Coral Crescendo series, which consists of instruments encrusted in coral.
Piecuch expressed her admiration for how her fellow artists tackle the exhibitions’ changing themes utilizing their own unique styles and mediums.
“We are going to see a lot of shapes, a lot of forms, a lot of gold, and people pushing new boundaries, which I am really excited for” said Piecuch.
In the days prior to the opening reception, the artists are busying themselves with final touches and preparing to transform the lounge into a modern day speakeasy, emulating the roaring 20s in 2025. Drapery and decadent chandeliers will add to the ambience, and a live jazz band will complete the boisterous atmosphere. Guests are encouraged to adorn Great Gatsby-Esque attire.
“I am always looking for an excuse to dress up, and since we are literally a hundred years away from this period, it’s like the perfect time to do it. We are living in the 20s again!” said Piecuch. “Who does not love to dress up in a flapper dress?”
The night will start off at 7 p.m. at 33256 State Park Rd 100. For more information on The Art Lounge, visit theartlounge.com
Comments