PORTSMOUTH — Coalescing grace of human form with beauty in craftsmanship and expression, two local concerns are synergizing their respective strengths to feature local artistry.
The Drift Gallery now has exhibition space at Zev Yoga.
The idea seemed a suitable fit for both organizations’ principals. A few months ago, Jonas Zev Amberger, owner and teacher of Zev Yoga, contacted Ali Goodwin, the director and curator of Drift Gallery in Portsmouth, with an idea to collaborate. Jonas Zev and his wife Amylyn wanted to take further advantage of Zev’s beautiful studio space. It seemed fitting as the studio in a past life was once an Art Gallery. The partnership brings a new installment each month to Zev’s studio space. Public artist receptions will coincide with Portsmouth’s First Friday Art ‘Round Town gallery walk.
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The Drift Gallery, an internationally recognized contemporary art gallery, exhibits artwork from various mediums such as painting, jewelry, photography, and sculpture. It also offers art classes and workshops and hosts public and private special events. Just last year the gallery moved from its Kittery location to the historic Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site in Portsmouth.
As members of the Green Alliance since its inception, the Zev model and philosophy emphasizes sustainability in terms of the individual and of the environment. Amylyn and Jonas Zev Amberger frequently allow their studio to be utilized by educational groups for workshops, classes, and other community gatherings. Zev has made yoga affordable and thus more available to our community.
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Zev Yoga emphasizes a traditionally rooted, holistically minded approach to yoga that promotes overall health — the “sustainability” of the individual.
Goodwin has been practicing at Zev since 2009. Over the years, she and the Ambergers have become close friends. During Goodwin’s fight against breast cancer in 2011, Amylyn and Jonas, with the help of many of Goodwin’s yoga classmates hosted ALIVE!, a fundraiser to help defray the cost of her medical expenses. This type of support is now translating into their business ventures.
“We’re looking forward to exhibiting great work in the space that will be thought provoking,” Goodwin said, “and complement what they’re doing there.”
A longtime participant in the national and international contemporary art scene, Beth Cutler is the first artist to exhibit her work in the new space. Her collection of mixed media pieces, “Abstract Figures,” opened Feb. 27.
“The female figure has long intrigued me,” Cutler said, “so it is to be expected that the figure is the theme of the majority of my work now. My main interests are compositional dynamics and spatial tension as structured primarily through the figure’s relationship to itself and to the page.”
Goodwin describes Cutler’s pieces as “energetic, colorful, and a beautiful, almost Matisse-like, interpretation of the female figure”
“Abstract Figures” will run until April 2. The display’s public exhibition display will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 7, which will correspond with the First Friday Art walk. The exhibition can also be seen by appointment, by attending the public reception or by partaking in regularly scheduled yoga classes. All of the work will be available for purchase.
Zev Yoga is a green certified business member at the Green Alliance. The Green Alliance is a Portsmouth-based green business union and consumer co-op that works to educate businesses and consumers on sustainability.
To learn more about the Green Alliance, visit www.greenalliance.biz.
To learn more about Drift Gallery visit www.drift-gallery.com.
To learn more about Zev Yoga visit www.zevyoga.com.
