Delirium: Botanicals in Oil and Glass

works by Brenda Pokorny & Christine Knize

Center for the Arts | Dalton Gallery
121 E. Main St. Rock Hill, SC

DALTON GALLERY

PERIMETER GALLERY

EDMUND D. GALLERY

CONTACT

EXHIBITION

March 28 - May 2, 2025

RECEPTION

Thursday, May 1, 2025

5:30 - 7:30 PM

DALTON GALLERY

A vibrant exhibit featuring Christine Knize’s detailed orchid paintings and Brenda Pokorny’s enchanting mosaic garden. Knize’s photo-realistic florals blend with Pokorny’s immersive, interactive wonderland. A harmonious showcase of meticulous craftsmanship.

ARTISTS STATEMENT

Delirium: Botanicals in Oil and Glass invites viewers into a garden of joyous color and imagination. Featuring the monumental, hyper-realistic orchid portraits of Christine Knize alongside the sparkling mosaic florals of Brenda Pokorny, this duo exhibition transforms the gallery into a vibrant botanical dreamscape. Both artists draw inspiration from the natural world, using striking color, light, and texture to cultivate an environment that feels both familiar and fantastical.

Brenda Pokorny finds her muse in gardens, nature, and the intricate pathways of mazes and labyrinths, often taking her adventures across Europe to explore hidden gardens. Through her mosaics, she seeks to create art that not only adds beauty but also brings joy to communities, aiming for large-scale public artworks that can be enjoyed by all. In contrast, Christine Knize's captivating orchid portraits reflect her deep admiration for these jewel-like flowers, each a unique personality deserving of celebration. Working on expansive canvases, she employs a meticulous technique inspired by European masters, layering translucent glazes to achieve depth and luminosity.

Together, Knize and Pokorny invite you to experience a world where oil and glass converge, enveloping you in the bold beauty found in nature. Their shared passion for the botanical realm creates an emotional connection with viewers.

BIO

BRENDA POKORNY

Instagram | @bapokorny

Website | brendapokornymosaics.com

Brenda Pokorny is a mosaic artist based in Mooresville, NC, with a BFA in textile design from Miami University. After five years in a wallcovering design studio and a decade managing her own textile business, she discovered her passion for mosaics and quickly became devoted to the medium.

Brenda's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the U.S., and her garden pieces can be found in various countries, including Australia, Canada, and several in Europe. She has created public art for hotels, neighborhoods, and towns, and has authored and illustrated three children’s books, with more in progress. Currently, she’s developing light-based experiences that immerse audiences in her mosaic artwork.

Inspired by gardens, nature, and travel, Brenda often takes her husband on adventures through hedge mazes in Europe and enjoys road trips to hidden gardens. Her aim is to create art that brings beauty and joy, aspiring to create large-scale public artworks that can involve communities and beautify spaces enjoyed by everyone.

CHRISTINE KNIZE

Instagram | @orchidpainterartist

Website | bestorchidpaintings.com

Christine Knize is a dedicated artist known for her striking orchid paintings on extra-large canvases, employing hundreds of translucent oil glazes to create evocative, hyper-realistic works. Her meticulous technique captures the delicate beauty and complexity of these regal blooms, forging deep connections with viewers and evoking positive emotions.

With numerous solo exhibitions lined up, including upcoming shows in Tallahassee, FL, and Macomb, IL, Christine has established herself in the art community. Her work has also been featured in prestigious venues across the country, earning accolades such as Best in Show at the Newburyport Art Association. Notable collectors of her art include high-profile individuals such as Oprah and various celebrities from the music and sports worlds.

Christine’s extensive educational background includes degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design and the School of Visual Arts in NYC. With a passion for both painting and art history, she has crafted a body of work that resonates with audiences, capturing the essence of orchids and celebrating their beauty on a grand scale.

Dalton

PERIMETER GALLERY

R. Michael Phillips:

A Retrospective

EXHIBITION

March 28 - May 2, 2025

RECEPTION

Thursday, May 1, 2025 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM

MIKE PHILLIPS

Website | rmichaelphillips.studio

STATEMENT

This exhibition celebrates the artistic journey of R. Michael Phillips, a talented artist whose legacy resonates deeply within the South Carolina art community. With a career spanning over 40 years, Michael’s mastery of watercolor, egg tempera, and oils allowed him to create visionary portrayals of the world around him. His work captures the beauty of everyday life, often inspired by the scenic landscapes of the Carolinas. A significant early commission—a portrait of William Penn for Philadelphia’s bicentennial—marked the beginning of a remarkable career that saw his art displayed in prestigious venues, including the International Exhibition of Miniature Art in Toronto and The Mitchell Gallery at St. John’s College. Michael’s paintings continue to be cherished in private collections throughout the United States and Europe. Through this exhibit, we honor his artistic legacy and invite you to immerse yourself in his unique vision.

EDMUND D. LEWANDOWSKI CLASSROOM GALLERY

Resonate

by Westminster Catawba Christian School Upper Campus

EXHIBITION

March 25 - April 4, 2025

RECEPTION

Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Website | wccs.org

STATEMENT

Resonate exhibits the creative work of middle and high school art students from Westminster Catawba Christian School. For the focus of our show, to resonate means to evoke, produce or be deeply filled. Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, our student-artists explored a variety of techniques, materials and processes to create the pieces exhibited in this show. Our hope is that their creative efforts will resonate with you as you take in the visually inviting and deeply meaningful products of their creative souls.

As a school community, we believe humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and therefore behold the creative abilities of God, the ultimate Creator. Expounding on our innate creative abilities, student-artists were challenged to explore and visualize their unique creative voices, while considering the impact on viewers. Some works were more technique driven, in an effort to refine specific skills, while others were guided by open-ended creative prompts further encouraging and providing space for a deeper visual expression.

Visual expression and the act of creating points us to redemption. We believe redemption is the most vital part of our story, as we seek to reflect, not only the image of God, but the beauty of redemption through faith and life in Jesus Christ - our truest gift to resonate. Compelled by this fact, student-artists brought new life and beauty to the various surfaces on which they created and now to this space. I am grateful you are here and pray our work resonates deeply with you.

Gina Thomas, Art Educator, Westminster Catawba Christian School, Upper Campus