NEWS

"Beyond Borders: Stories of im/Migration"
MetroActive, March 14, 2018
by Jeffrey Edalatpour
Interviews with our Beyond Borders artists Tessie Barrera-Scharaga and Shannon Wright.
MetroActive, March 14, 2018
by Jeffrey Edalatpour
Interviews with our Beyond Borders artists Tessie Barrera-Scharaga and Shannon Wright.

"Changing the World Through Art at Santa Clara University"
Santa Clara Weekly February 7, 2018
Story and photos by Diane Andrews
"At the Feb. 2 opening reception for the free exhibit, attendees were able to hear the stories behind the art of five of the two dozen international artists represented in the exhibit during a one-hour panel discussion.
The five artists, now living in the U.S., were Texas-born Tessie Barrera-Scharaga with Latin American roots, Carlos Cartagena from El Salvador, Priscilla Otani from Japan, Doerte Weber from Germany and Shannon Wright from San Jose, CA."
Santa Clara Weekly February 7, 2018
Story and photos by Diane Andrews
"At the Feb. 2 opening reception for the free exhibit, attendees were able to hear the stories behind the art of five of the two dozen international artists represented in the exhibit during a one-hour panel discussion.
The five artists, now living in the U.S., were Texas-born Tessie Barrera-Scharaga with Latin American roots, Carlos Cartagena from El Salvador, Priscilla Otani from Japan, Doerte Weber from Germany and Shannon Wright from San Jose, CA."

"Beyond Borders: Stories of im/Migration"
Content Magazine, January 31, 2018
Written by Tad Malone Photography by Daniel Garcia
"All of the pieces are approached with such poignancy and thoughtfulness, it may take a few visits to really get the inspiring and equally heartbreaking effect that Beyond Borders hopes to achieve. . . The curators are working to foster a deep appreciation of what it means to be a person trapped between, and subsequently at the mercy of, two worlds."
Content Magazine, January 31, 2018
Written by Tad Malone Photography by Daniel Garcia
"All of the pieces are approached with such poignancy and thoughtfulness, it may take a few visits to really get the inspiring and equally heartbreaking effect that Beyond Borders hopes to achieve. . . The curators are working to foster a deep appreciation of what it means to be a person trapped between, and subsequently at the mercy of, two worlds."

Art Exhibition: "Beyond Borders: Stories of im/Migration"
The Healing Power of Art & Artists, 1/18/18
"Gutfreund Cornett Art is committed to promoting and supporting local, national, and global art activism. They explain, “Art can produce a visceral response and can provoke, inspire, or disturb, and opens one’s eyes to worlds other than your own. Art can transcend language barriers, strengthen understanding, stimulate greater compassion between displaced people and the communities that receive them, move us to action and advocacy and create visions for a new, more inclusive society.”
The Healing Power of Art & Artists, 1/18/18
"Gutfreund Cornett Art is committed to promoting and supporting local, national, and global art activism. They explain, “Art can produce a visceral response and can provoke, inspire, or disturb, and opens one’s eyes to worlds other than your own. Art can transcend language barriers, strengthen understanding, stimulate greater compassion between displaced people and the communities that receive them, move us to action and advocacy and create visions for a new, more inclusive society.”

Eight Female Artists Throw Political Punches
Embedded Messages, Debating the Dream: Truth, Justice and the American Way
The Art Center, Highland Park, IL
Curated by Karen Gutfreund
Opens March 3 – April 3, 2017
With Social Justice art and revving up for a tumultuous new presidential administration, eight female art activists examine social and political issues driving change in America and impacting life in America. The Art Center hosts this exhibition Embedded Messages, Debating the Dream: Truth, Justice and the American Way. The work communicates strong political declarations provoking and pressing for awareness and social change through art with compelling, narrative stories on contemporary issues. The works collectively ask the viewer—what is happening with America, can we still identify the American dream and if so, who does the dream apply to?
With polarized political parties and a divided nation with the news media focusing on sound bites with biased editorials rather than real news, “Embedded Messages” stimulates important dialog, casting a critical eye on social justice issues both as a reflection of American society and as statements on events domestic and international. This timely, provocative exhibition features artists Sally Edelstein, Justyne Fischer, Karen Gutfreund, Penny Mateer, Sinan Revell, Debra Thompson, Linda Vallejo and Margi Weir who have spent their careers focused on creating activist art.
Unified by topic, with “embedded messages” running throughout, this exhibition addresses racism, sexism, classicism, sexuality, gender identity, immigration, poverty, the environment, violence, and the ongoing wars. All is not as it appears on the surface, inviting the viewer to delve in closer to examine, ponder and discuss the inherent meanings to stimulate critical thinking and open pathways to potential answers and solutions. Reflecting their diverse backgrounds and distinctive approach to their mediums, the individual messages are delivered with irony, humor, compassion, defiance and strength; and when experienced together, invite conversations that will appeal to and engage a wide range of audiences. Join the Discussion—be curious, be informed, and be a change-agent.
Link to online catalog: https://issuu.com/karengutfreund/docs/embedded_messages_catalog_for_issue
The Art Center, 1957 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035, (847) 432-1888
http://theartcenterhp.org/future-exhibits/
Gallery hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 4:30 p.m. and Sundays by appointment only.
Opening Reception, Friday, March 3rd.
Exhibition Dates: March 3 – April 3, 2017
Embedded Messages, Debating the Dream: Truth, Justice and the American Way
The Art Center, Highland Park, IL
Curated by Karen Gutfreund
Opens March 3 – April 3, 2017
With Social Justice art and revving up for a tumultuous new presidential administration, eight female art activists examine social and political issues driving change in America and impacting life in America. The Art Center hosts this exhibition Embedded Messages, Debating the Dream: Truth, Justice and the American Way. The work communicates strong political declarations provoking and pressing for awareness and social change through art with compelling, narrative stories on contemporary issues. The works collectively ask the viewer—what is happening with America, can we still identify the American dream and if so, who does the dream apply to?
With polarized political parties and a divided nation with the news media focusing on sound bites with biased editorials rather than real news, “Embedded Messages” stimulates important dialog, casting a critical eye on social justice issues both as a reflection of American society and as statements on events domestic and international. This timely, provocative exhibition features artists Sally Edelstein, Justyne Fischer, Karen Gutfreund, Penny Mateer, Sinan Revell, Debra Thompson, Linda Vallejo and Margi Weir who have spent their careers focused on creating activist art.
Unified by topic, with “embedded messages” running throughout, this exhibition addresses racism, sexism, classicism, sexuality, gender identity, immigration, poverty, the environment, violence, and the ongoing wars. All is not as it appears on the surface, inviting the viewer to delve in closer to examine, ponder and discuss the inherent meanings to stimulate critical thinking and open pathways to potential answers and solutions. Reflecting their diverse backgrounds and distinctive approach to their mediums, the individual messages are delivered with irony, humor, compassion, defiance and strength; and when experienced together, invite conversations that will appeal to and engage a wide range of audiences. Join the Discussion—be curious, be informed, and be a change-agent.
Link to online catalog: https://issuu.com/karengutfreund/docs/embedded_messages_catalog_for_issue
The Art Center, 1957 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035, (847) 432-1888
http://theartcenterhp.org/future-exhibits/
Gallery hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 4:30 p.m. and Sundays by appointment only.
Opening Reception, Friday, March 3rd.
Exhibition Dates: March 3 – April 3, 2017

"Artists as Activists: Pursuing Social Justice"
by Amy Pleasant, Huffington Post "The Blog", September 6, 2016
"In light of the ever-growing list of crises crossing all borders and cultures, the curatorial partnership of Guttfreund Cornett Art has mobilized a group of 86 artists to address this escalation of violence, human rights violations, and environmental concerns. . . . . . Artists often see their place to provoke, to voice, to enlighten. This long-standing role of the artist as activist is at the heart of “Social Change: It Happens to One, It Happens to All”
by Amy Pleasant, Huffington Post "The Blog", September 6, 2016
"In light of the ever-growing list of crises crossing all borders and cultures, the curatorial partnership of Guttfreund Cornett Art has mobilized a group of 86 artists to address this escalation of violence, human rights violations, and environmental concerns. . . . . . Artists often see their place to provoke, to voice, to enlighten. This long-standing role of the artist as activist is at the heart of “Social Change: It Happens to One, It Happens to All”

"Art as Activism: 7 Artists Create for Change"
by Sean Eckhardt, TakePart, September 27, 2016
"Three of the pieces in the exhibit were chosen by attorney and women’s rights activist Sandra Fluke, who garnered national media attention in 2012 when she was a student at Georgetown University. Republican members of the House of Representatives refused to hear Fluke’s testimony on the importance of requiring health insurance providers to cover contraception.
“Art has the power to touch us in a deeper way in our society. There’s so much noise surrounding how these issues are being talked about, especially on cable news,” Fluke wrote in an email to TakePart. “Art has the ability to cut through in a deep and powerful way that touches us on very serious issues that should demand our emotional attention.”
by Sean Eckhardt, TakePart, September 27, 2016
"Three of the pieces in the exhibit were chosen by attorney and women’s rights activist Sandra Fluke, who garnered national media attention in 2012 when she was a student at Georgetown University. Republican members of the House of Representatives refused to hear Fluke’s testimony on the importance of requiring health insurance providers to cover contraception.
“Art has the power to touch us in a deeper way in our society. There’s so much noise surrounding how these issues are being talked about, especially on cable news,” Fluke wrote in an email to TakePart. “Art has the ability to cut through in a deep and powerful way that touches us on very serious issues that should demand our emotional attention.”

"Social Justice Art Exhibition Curated by Gutfreund Cornett Art"
by Renee Phillips, The Healing Power of Art & Artists, September 18, 2016
by Renee Phillips, The Healing Power of Art & Artists, September 18, 2016

"Social Justice Reception"
by Marie Cameron, Marie Cameron Studio Blog, September 20, 2016
"The powerfully engaging internationally juried exhibition, Social Justice: It Happens to One It Happens to All, organized by Gutfreund Cornett Art opened Sunday at Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art with an inspiring Artist Talk in which 19 of the 46 exhibiting artists participated, some who traveled from as far away as San Diego and Los Angeles, Utah, Mexico and New Zealand! It was very moving to learn what had compelled each artist to create their work and to listen to the types of reactions their work has received. Typically working with controversial, challenging and even disturbing subject matter, I found all these artists to be particularly brave, passionate, thoughtful, smart and deeply human." (Marie's blog includes photos of artists in front of their works)
by Marie Cameron, Marie Cameron Studio Blog, September 20, 2016
"The powerfully engaging internationally juried exhibition, Social Justice: It Happens to One It Happens to All, organized by Gutfreund Cornett Art opened Sunday at Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art with an inspiring Artist Talk in which 19 of the 46 exhibiting artists participated, some who traveled from as far away as San Diego and Los Angeles, Utah, Mexico and New Zealand! It was very moving to learn what had compelled each artist to create their work and to listen to the types of reactions their work has received. Typically working with controversial, challenging and even disturbing subject matter, I found all these artists to be particularly brave, passionate, thoughtful, smart and deeply human." (Marie's blog includes photos of artists in front of their works)

"Two Striking Exhibits Highlight Fall Semester at SMC's Museum of Art"
by A.K. Carroll, Lamorinda Weekly, September 7, 2016
"Art has the power to amuse, anger, intrigue and inspire. It can bind a community together or divide it in two, serve as a catalyst for conversation or the impetus of a movement. Exhibitions don't make it into galleries simply by chance, but through careful curation and arduous selection."
by A.K. Carroll, Lamorinda Weekly, September 7, 2016
"Art has the power to amuse, anger, intrigue and inspire. It can bind a community together or divide it in two, serve as a catalyst for conversation or the impetus of a movement. Exhibitions don't make it into galleries simply by chance, but through careful curation and arduous selection."


"San Jose art exhibition showcases female perspective"
by Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, July 23, 2016
by Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, July 23, 2016

We are very pleased to announce that we have been awarded an exhibition at the Leslie Lohman Museum in NYC!
The mission of the LLM is to exhibit and preserve art that speaks directly to the many aspects of the LGBTQ experience, and foster the artists who create it and to embrace the rich creative history of this community by educating, informing, inspiring, entertaining, and challenging all who enter their doors.
Exhibitions often take years to come to fruition -- from the initial research, proposal, prospectus, to confirming the artists and the venue. This was a true labor of love and will be worth the wait. Our exhibition, displaying an international group of artists, focuses on the middle ground of gender identity. This process began over 18 months ago and is now confirmed for 2017 – 2018. The title of the exhibition, artist list and confirmed dates will be announced after the Museum completes its current renovations – so stay tuned... This is going to be a fabulous and important exhibition!
Gutfreund Cornett Art – Changing the World Through Art!
The mission of the LLM is to exhibit and preserve art that speaks directly to the many aspects of the LGBTQ experience, and foster the artists who create it and to embrace the rich creative history of this community by educating, informing, inspiring, entertaining, and challenging all who enter their doors.
Exhibitions often take years to come to fruition -- from the initial research, proposal, prospectus, to confirming the artists and the venue. This was a true labor of love and will be worth the wait. Our exhibition, displaying an international group of artists, focuses on the middle ground of gender identity. This process began over 18 months ago and is now confirmed for 2017 – 2018. The title of the exhibition, artist list and confirmed dates will be announced after the Museum completes its current renovations – so stay tuned... This is going to be a fabulous and important exhibition!
Gutfreund Cornett Art – Changing the World Through Art!

Shannon Fisher, host of the radio show "The Authentic Woman" and women's rights leader, talked with Karen Teegarden, Executive Director of UniteWomen.org and Sherri and Karen from Gutfreund Cornett Art about the motivations for this show, how we are collaborating to present this opportunity to self-identified women, our hopes and other details. Originally aired April 3, 2016.

"Democracy in America? Group Show Curated by Gutfreund Cornett Art", New York, USA" by Daniel Gauss for Wall Street International, February 3, 2016