Two exhibitions, composed of work from the University of Lynchburg’s Daura Museum of Art, opened in Dillard Fine Arts Center on Wednesday, June 4, “Vibrant Echoes: The Watercolors of Pierre Daura” and “The Works of Donald W. Evans: A Retrospective.”
Admission is free and the public is welcome.
“The Daura Museum is excited to present the works of two distinct yet influential artists this summer, through which we can explore each artist’s impact on our community and beyond,” said Brooke Marcy, the Daura’s director.
Daura and Evans were members of the art faculty at what was then Lynchburg College. Daura, chair of Lynchburg’s art department from 1945-46, is the namesake of the Daura Museum of Art. Evans also served as art department chair and taught art at Lynchburg, starting in 1949.
The subject matter of Daura’s work, exhibited in Gallery I and II of the Daura Museum, is varied and includes still lifes and landscapes.
“[Daura’s] approach to watercolor was innovative, as he often incorporated abstract and geometric elements into his compositions,” a description of the exhibition reads. “This integration allowed him to transcend traditional boundaries and explore the potential of color and form in new ways.
“Watercolor’s fluidity served not merely as a medium for Daura but as a transformative tool that liberated his artistic imagination.”
The Daura watercolor exhibition closes on Friday, June 27.
“The Works of Donald W. Evans: A Retrospective” is currently on display in the Lobby Gallery, which is located downstairs from the Daura Museum of Art.
“Prior to Evans’s appointment, Lynchburg College lacked a formal art department or an art major,” the exhibition’s description reads. “As the department chair and the first full-time art professor at the College, he was instrumental in establishing a cohesive and formal art department with both an art major and minor.
“Evans remained devoted to his artistic practice throughout his career. His diverse body of work included landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, demonstrating a unique blend of abstraction and realism.”
The Evans exhibition closes on Friday, Aug. 8.
The Daura’s hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 434.544.8343.
