Artwork by four fathers and their young sons will be featured in this group show, which opens in time for Father’s Day weekend. A walk through this gallery will be a unique opportunity to study the creative process and the sociology of father-son relationships. It will also be an opportunity to contrast what the adults and children think about and try to say as they engage in creative expression.

Children’s Art Elevated From the Refrigerator to Professional Gallery
The naïve art by the sons will be shown right along side the professional work of the fathers. The children’s art has been intentionally elevated from the refrigerator to a professional gallery and placed along-side practiced artists. While children’s art lacks technical mastery, the raw human drive for expression is more discernable and as such, is given equal footing in this exhibition. During the opening, the sons will provide guided tours to share their process and insights.

“Kids like to draw like fish like to swim. I think the art of children, before they learn the rules of art, provides a unique view into the human need for creative expression. Pictures made without any knowledge of perspective, color theory, or what things ‘should look like’ show the natural human, intuitive attempt to make sense of the characters and objects around us.” — John Schuerman, Father-Artist

Fathers Support Their Sons’ Self-Expression Through Visual Arts
Traditionally fathers take their sons to work, to show them what dad does and perhaps start teaching the trade. The Father-Son Show starts there, but goes in new directions. The fathers in this show are professional artists, introducing sons to what they do; but the purpose is different. As part of the modern era, father-parenting goes beyond the more traditional realms of father/son activities. In this show fathers and sons work, study, imagine and create together. The sons will be introduced to the commerce of producing and selling art; and they will experience their personal artistic expressions on public view. But the aim is not to push the kids into becoming the next generation of artists. Instead, high quality art and fun are the short-term goals. Building relationships between the fathers and sons via this shared endeavor — creating a cool memory to share — is the main point.

The Father/Son Show Offers Several Perspectives
• A shared artistic stage –where the sons work is given equal presentation
• Father-Son artwork collaborations, including a collaboration of all the artists
• Distinct Father-Son and Son-Father lines of artistic influence
• Visual evidence of how Fathers and Sons build strong relationship bonds

At the opening, you are encouraged to talk with the artists, take a guided tour by one or more of the artists, play with the play-appropriate art pieces, and participate in the general discussion of the evening.

The Father-Son artists:
Irve Dell and his son Isaac Dell (age 8)
Michael Kareken and his son Owen Kareken (age 6)
David Lefkowitz and his sons Carter Lefkowitz (5), and Emmett Lefkowitz (age 8)
John Schuerman and his son Max Folina (age 9)

For more information, contact John Schuerman at (612) 240-2317.