Living Art Program at Gallery 308 to Feature Encaustic Artist, Richard Frumess

Gallery 308 announced today that the next program in the Living Art Series will feature the talents of encaustic painter and author Richard Frumess. Frumess will discuss his work and the process of encaustic painting at the Gallery on Wednesday, October 31, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission to the program is free. Light refreshments will be provided.

Simply stated, encaustic is pigment suspended in wax. The process requires layers of melted wax to be applied to a stiff, non-flexible surface; each layer is smoothed using more heat, thus creating a luminous painting. The process also easily allows inclusion of other materials in the painting by just pushing the object into the still warm wax. Frumess is not only well known for his work as an encaustic painter, but he is also the founder of R&F Handmade Paints, with 25 years experience as a commercial manufacturer of encaustic.

In addition to painting, Frumess has written articles on the history, materials, and techniques of encaustic. His essays have appeared in Waxing Poetic: Encaustic Art in America, published by the Montclair Art Museum, and Encaustic Works 2005, published by the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art. He has also written a monograph on the life and work of Rifka Angel, the first encaustic painter in the United States.

Frumess will be in Muncie as part of "Encaustic Works 2007," a traveling wax show that will stop at the Ball State Atrium Gallery. Ball State is the only American university to present this show, and just one of a handful of universities that are offering a class in encaustic painting.

During his visit to Muncie, in addition to the October 31 Living Art program at Gallery 308, Frumess will present several mini-workshops at Ball State.
Oct. 31, 2-4 p.m., Image Transfer
Nov. 1, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Assemblage and 3-D; 2-4 p.m., Collage and Dipping Papers
Nov. 2, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Oil and Wax.

The mini-workshops will be held on the 4th floor of the Arts and Journalism Building at Ball State.

The Living Art Series is presented once a month by Gallery 308, located at 308 East Main, Muncie. The purpose of the Series is to provide free educational programming about the arts.

Gallery 308 is a 501(c)(3) community art gallery which exists to provide exhibition space for artists, encourage innovative work and serve the community as a cultural and educational resource. Contributions to Gallery 308 are tax-deductible. For more information about gallery hours, volunteer and donor opportunities, please call 765-289-8575.