NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glass Wheel Studio, a contemporary art facility located in the heart of The NEON, Norfolk's Arts District, has commissioned a large-scale mural by internationally-recognized contemporary artist and award-winning painter Alex Brewer, a.k.a. HENSE. With this public mural project and an incredible schedule of upcoming exhibitions, Glass Wheel Studio aims to cultivate a deep appreciation for contemporary art in glass and beyond. The mural, which will cover the building's three-story façade on Olney Road, is the perfect prelude to Glass Wheel's grand opening this November.
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Brewer developed his iconic abstract style through a mix of formal education, immersion in street art culture, and experience in professional studios. Starting in the early '90s, he discovered his love for creating art in the public space through graffiti. He quickly gained notoriety for his work under the name HENSE. Today, Brewer is known for colorful and dynamic compositions that marry the quick, gestural brushstrokes of both graffiti and abstract painting.
Brewer has received numerous notable commissions throughout the United States and abroad. His 2015 projects have included massive grain silos in Australia, a substation at Very Fun Park in Taipei (his first public work in Asia), and a site-specific mural created for Facebook's global headquarters in Menlo Park, CA.
"After months of renovations and prepping our façade, we cannot wait to see HENSE's mural go up," said Cheryl White, director of Glass Wheel Studio. "The colors and energy present in his work will infuse our building with the blocks between The Chrysler Museum and The Plot. Commissioning a mural is one of the best ways we could think to support public art and add to the positive energy in The NEON District."
HENSE will begin painting at GWS in late September. The community is invited to a FREE event at GWS on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 12:00 pm–4:00 pm. The public can experience HENSE at work while enjoying lunch from food trucks, local craft beers, and entertainment provided by DJ Lord Thomas.
To RSVP to the event, visit http://bit.ly/gwsmural.
About Glass Wheel Studio
Opening this fall, Glass Wheel Studio is a contemporary art facility located in the heart of The NEON, Norfolk's Arts District. The newly renovated 8,500-square-foot space will feature two rotating galleries and affordable artist studios. Through stimulating exhibitions and an active Studio Artist Program, Glass Wheel Studio will cultivate a deep appreciation for contemporary art in glass and beyond. It will serve as an incubator for extraordinary ideas and aims to encourage artists across all disciplines to pursue and elevate their craft. For more information visit: www.GlassWheelStudio.com.
