Fairfield Art Association to highlight Burlington artist

The Fairfield Art Association will host a new exhibit by Burlington artist John Bybee starting Friday, Aug. 6. The art is being installed by the artist in the Main Gallery at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center and is titled "Samples."

This exhibit is a change from most of the art displayed in the gallery, and visitors will enjoy hearing the artist talk about his art in a gallery talk at 7 p.m. that day. A reception will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

John Bybee joined the Southeastern Community College faculty 21 years ago. He has taught art history, Non-western Art History, and many studio classes. Previously, he served as adjunct professor of art at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He earned his master of fine arts degree in painting and drawing from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1996.

Bybee's work has been included in numerous exhibits across the nation, including the Des Moines Art Center, Voxpopuli and Cerulean Arts Gallery in Philadelphia, Sheldon Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana; and the St. Louis Artist's Guild. His works are in many private, public and corporate collections.

Bybee's past works explored the imagery of man-made structures as connectors to emotional reference and presence as it relates to context. In his recent work, those images dissolve to become elements that combine realistic imagery with a hint of sarcasm and satire. He has combined in his new work Stone Age technologies to draw reference to the de-skilling/re-skilling of modern culture.

The FAA is also beginning its silent auction on the downtown art installation "2020 in 2021 - A Better View." Bid sheets will be in the FACC in the Main Gallery area. There are 19 art "eyeglasses" artworks to bid on.