Bruce R. Bleach ~ a Retrospective: Fifty-four Years and Counting is the title of the solo exhibit that will be on view in Orange Hall Gallery September 19 through November 17, 202 (sneak peek – September 15).
Starting as a student at Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange), he knew he wanted a career in art. He focused on his goal and turned professional in 1975. He holds an A.A. from SUNY Orange, a B.F.A. from the University of Hartford, and an M.F.A. from SUNY New Paltz. He grew up in Sullivan County and graduated from Monticello High School in 1968.
As a professor, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching, and his students respond with beautiful, creative artworks. He has been an adjunct professor at Orange County Community College for 31 years. Many of the students he has mentored over the years have continued into the broad field of art professions.
Listed in Who’s Who in American Art, his works have appeared in numerous solo and group exhibitions, galleries, publications and residential and corporate collections throughout the country and abroad. He has received commissions for which he produced works for MIT Cambridge, Boston Children’s Hospital, Northwell Health, Pfizer, Novartis, Motorola, Lockheed Martin and Reader’s Digest. The Smithsonian Institute - Library of Congress selected his etchings for their print collection as part of The Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop Collection.
At this point in his career, Bruce Bleach produces large contemporary abstract works of art in metal, on canvas, wood, and paper. His metal wall sculptures include etched bronze with patina, mixed-media on embossed aluminum, stainless steel, copper, zinc, and acrylic on wood. His global wall sculptures utilize unusual and unique formats as well as standard world map projections in metal, with painterly backgrounds in etched aluminum or wood.
Since this exhibit is a retrospective, the 70 artworks chosen for display represent the many eras of his art career. Works in the following media included in this show are:
Etching - Intaglio and Relief and Collagraph; Lithography; Monoprint; Handmade paper; Calligraphy; Collage; Digital Collage; Silkscreen; Drawing in charcoal, pencil, ink, mixed media; Etched bronze with patina; Painting in acrylic and mixed media; Giclee prints; Textured aluminum; and Woodcut.
A reception, at which the artist will be present to welcome visitors at this celebration of art, will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 5.
The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.
Gallery hours: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 8 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The college is closed weekends, but Orange Hall will be open October 8 from 2 to 4:45 p.m. and October 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. Orange Hall is located at the corner of Wawayanda and Grandview Avenues at GPS 24 Grandview Avenue, Middletown.
For additional information and questions, email Cultural Affairs at cultural@sunyorange.edu and consult the website sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs