MCC Daily Tribune

Mercer Gallery Presents - Artist Claire McLaughlin

With such a successful Gallery Schedule this year, I can't help but extend the exhibition season just a little more.

Now through Thursday, June 22nd, The Mercer Gallery is exhibiting the work of local artist Claire McLaughlin. From the artist statement: 

'Claire McLaughlin is an eighteen-year-old girl with Down syndrome who loves her family, friends, dancing, acting and she especially loves art. Her preferred medium is crayon. Claire and her father went to the immersive Van Gogh exhibit, and Claire was awed by the show. As Van Gogh’s paintings morphed over the floor and walls, Claire spread her arms, danced and skittered after the images with a look of pure joy on her face. Claire’s sister was on a semester abroad, and she sent Claire a picture of herself in front of a real Van Gogh painting at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Claire was unimpressed and said that the Van Gogh pictures that she had seen in Rochester were much bigger. The next day, Claire’s father taped together some tractor-feed paper from the 1980s and sketched a huge cartoon of a Van Gogh painting. Thus began Claire’s career as an artist, where she crayons by the yard. When Claire colors she calls it “Van Gogh-ing.”'

There will be an opening reception Thursday, June 15th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Music and snacks will be provided.

The Mercer Gallery has limited Summer Hours for the duration of this show: Monday through Thursday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please stop by and check out the drawings of this very special artist.

Jason Flack
Visual and Performing Arts
06/13/2023