Bankhead Gallery: 'Composing the Future'

The Bankhead Gallery is presenting "Composing the Future," a Northern California Women's Caucus for Art (NCWCA) member exhibition, now through June. Events include an opening reception 1:30-4:30 p.m. June 5 and a series of online Artist Talks, all free.

Artists were challenged to flex their artistic powers in response to the extreme events of the past year and to project their hopes, dreams and ideas into the future. The artworks engage viewers on many levels -- wonder, worry, hopefulness and activism -- expressed in an inspired array of visual media.

"As artists, we are witnesses and raw material for envisioning possible futures," exhibition chairwoman Elizabeth Addison said. "We are now called upon to examine our own pandemic responses, the social upheaval around us, and the pervasive political madness that faces our country. These reflections will serve as inspirations to envision possibilities for cultural transformation."

"Composing the Future" includes works that consider how the events of 2020-21 confront history or provoke change. Others reveal inspiration in isolation and blooms in the chaos, as artists have found beauty in the shadows, reassessed priorities, adjusted their joy thresholds, and reset expectations.

The exhibit also includes an installation, "Table Setting," curated by Jennifer Jigour, based on Judy Chicago's groundbreaking 1974-79 epic feminist artwork.

Artist Talks will be held 7-8 p.m. Thursdays, May 27, June 3 and 10, on Zoom; for information, visit www.ncwca.org/composing-the-future-members-exhibition.

The Bankhead Gallery is located in the lobby of the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Hours are 2-6 p.m. Fridays; 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Masks are required.