The Kenan Center Presented a Catherine Parker Solo Show

Written by Conrad Faltermeyer Friday, 30 December 2011 21:52

Lockport, New York.- The Kenan Center was honored to present a solo exhibit of painter Catherine Parker’s works. “Catherine Parker: Resonance”  Parker’s intensely pigmented watercolors are inspired by poetry, music and places. An acute observer of her surroundings, Parker revels in small and large occurrences, finding ideas both in the boundlessness of travel, and the intimacy of watching a flower grow on her kitchen windowsill. The artworks featured in the show span a period of creative output encompassing the last two decades. Many new pieces, created especially for this event, will be on view. “The Kenan Center is especially pleased to present Catherine Parker’s work,” said Susan Przybyl, executive director of the Center. “Aside from being the first exhibit of Catherine’s art at the gallery, her show has additional significance; our first gallery exhibit, 45 years ago in 1966, was an exhibition of works by her father, noted American watercolorist Charles Burchfield. We are pleased to be contributing to this ongoing family and artistic legacy.”

Visitors from all over the world enjoy walking the Kenan Center campus to see the 1800's Victorian mansion and the beautifullly landscaped grounds that belonged to Mr. and Mrs. William Rand Kenan, Jr. The Center has grown from a community center, which has served the residents of Lockport, New York since its official dedication in 1969, to become one of the premier facilities in the Buffalo Niagara region for arts, education and recreation programming. William Rand Kenan, Jr., was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, on April 30, 1872. He was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1894 with a Bachelor of Science degree, receiving particular recognition in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In 1896, Mr. Kenan came to Niagara Falls to work at what would later become the Union Carbide Corporation. During 1899 and 1900, Mr. Kenan was drawn into frequent contact with the former business associate of John D. Rockefeller, Henry M. Flagler, who was then engaged in developing the east coast of Florida. Mr. Flagler persuaded Mr. Kenan to join him in his Florida enterprises which included the Florida East Coast Railway and the Florida East Coast Hotel Company, which included The Breakers Hotel.  In 1944, the University conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of Mr. Kenan's diversified contributions to science and humanity. Following his death on July 28, 1965, a significant part of Mr. Kenan's estate became the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, a part charitable and part noncharitable perpetual trust. The Kenan Center House Gallery has been an active exhibition space since 1966 when it featured the works of Charles Burchfield, the Kenan Center House Gallery averages eight exhibits annually of local, regional and national artists. Committed to fostering artistic expression in young people, the gallery also includes a high school photo exhibit on its calendar each year and has recently added a Student Gallery to recognize and support the work of young artists. The Kenan Center also offers ARTiculations, an on-school-time visual and performing arts program during the school year. Visit the center's website at ... www.kenancenter.org.

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