The community is invited to an opening reception for the exhibit “Remembering Rick Abrams: A Pop Art Anthology” 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Atlantic Center for the Arts Downtown, 123 Douglas St. in New Smyrna Beach. The DeLand artist died June 9, 2024, at the age of 64.
During this event, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase rare works by Abrams that will benefit the College of Central Florida Foundation for Educational Programs at the Appleton Museum of Art and programs at Atlantic Center for the Arts.
The evening will include the smooth jazz stylings of TRio, with Tyler Rosenke on drums, Ron Gilotti on the upright bass, and Howard Post on the guitar. Light refreshments will be served.
The public is invited to share a written memory or acknowledgment in a tribute book that will be shared with the family.
Abrams was best-known for his acrylic and mixed-media collage shadow boxes on PVC panels that explored themes surrounding pop culture. He often integrated nostalgic and humorous references from borrowed imagery that included 1950s-1960s advertisements and package design, comic-book frames and photographs. Talk bubbles, halftone patterns, polka dots, neon effects and newsprint motifs were often incorporated into his work as well.
Each piece was created by applying paint with stencils and rollers to the back side of clear acrylic glass, which was floated over a separate painting on white styrene. This technique reveals a vibrant, dimensional quality as shapes, shadows, colors and patterns interact on different planes.
The exhibit is open through Saturday, Oct. 12. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; and by appointment. Call 386-428-1133.
