In this exchange of letters between myself, Ellen Mueller, and Anda Tanaka, we reflect on the exhibition, The Painting Show, curated by Emma Beatrez, Rachel Collier, Ryan Fontaine, and Kristin Van Loon. This show ran October 4 – 23, 2022 at Hair+Nails, 2222 1/2 E. 35th St. Minneapolis, MN 55407.
For all reflections on Art Sprawl, there is an accompanying printed zine.

Rachel Collier, “Life in whispers” (2022) wool on canvas, 62″x41″

Andrea Qual, “Buck” (2022) oil on canvas, 60″x40″

Lauren dela Roche, “Two Suns” (2022) fabric pen, oil paint pen, mineral spirit archival varnish spray with UVLS on canvas, 62″ x42″

Joe Schaeffer, “Translation No. 11 (2022) ink, oil, acrylic, digital print on canvas, 60″x40”

Matt Momchilov, “Man With Authentic Bouquet” (2022) oil on canvas, 60″x40″

Bruce Tapola, “Axis Mundi (Atom Smasher)” (2022) oil and acrylic on canvas, 60″x40″

Autumn Garrington, “Killer” (2022) oil on canvas, 60″x40″
- Emma Beatrez, “Toyota Matrix” [DETAIL] (2022) oil on convas, 60″x40″
- Ryan Fontaine, “Aprouting Madawaska” [DETAIL] (2022) oil and shellac on canvas, 60″x40″
- Maiya Lea Hartman “Pete and Repeat” [DETAIL] (2022) acrylic, oil, paper, synthetic braiding hair on canvas, 60″x40″
- Mathew Zefeldt “Future Wars” [DETAIL] (2002) acrylic on canvas over panel, 60″x40″
- Gregory Rick “Line of Division” [DETAIL] (2022) enamel, acrylic, watercolor, oil bar on canvas, 60″x40″
If you would like to read the letters with screen-reading technology, please find them typed in this document for accessibility.
Disclosure: I know Anda Tanaka and Emma Beatrez as past students when I was directing the MFA program at MCAD. I’ve spent time talking to Ryan Fontaine and Kristin Van Loon as the gallery owners of Hair + Nails at several of their shows and events over the past few years.