‘Red Threads’ exhibit raises money for Never Alone Foundation
Works by Gabriella Christians, Lori DiPasquale, Catherine Giglio, Summer Kircher, Jenny Kruckeberg, Wendy Reis and Jeanne Steiner, to benefit The Never Alone Foundation, opening reception 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, off the wall reception 5:30-9:30 p.m. March 28, Soirée Events & Celebrations, 1003 S. Tejon St., free; redthreadsart@gmail.com, redthreadsart.com.
Artist Catherine Giglio now starts all her paintings with a red thread.
“Sometimes you can see it, sometimes you can’t,” says the former Colorado Springs artist, who now lives in Fort Collins. “Sometimes it’s very much the main part of the painting.”
Giglio is the founder of “Red Threads: A Collaborative Art Show,” an exhibit by seven local artists. Part of the proceeds from the show will go to The Never Alone Foundation, a local organization that helps families with the financial costs of adopting international children. The exhibit opens Saturday at Soirée Events & Celebrations.
More than three years ago, Giglio attended the memorial service of Laurel Constantinides and her three daughters, who all died in an accident in mid-2011. She wanted to express her sympathy to Alex, Laurel’s husband, but couldn’t find the right words.
It was the legend of the red thread, attached to the memorial program, that inspired her: “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet; regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but never break.”
It prompted Giglio to start wearing a red thread tied around her wrist, and to create a red thread-themed painting for Alex Constantinides.
“It’s a good reminder of how we’re all connected,” she says.
The legend also led her to invite a group of artists to create red thread and connection-themed works for an exhibit, and donate part of the proceeds to the foundation. The three Constantinides daughters were adopted from Asia.
Works include paintings, photos, sculpture, encaustics, weavings and collage.
“I thought it would be powerful, but more so with lots of people representing,” Giglio says. “The whole point is connection. (I chose) people I knew, who I trusted to express themselves from their heart, and who were willing to support and donate to the cause.”
JEN MULSON, THE GAZETTE, 636-0270, JEN.MULSON@GAZETTE.COM
