Officials at the Charles B. Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arts have transformed the facility’s galleries with subject matter that reflects the Halloween season.
In addition to the “Myths & Magic” lobby exhibit by Betty Dolman and Rudy Ellis, the center is exhibiting Ellis’ vampire series, “The Passions of the Blood,” alongside several pieces from the center’s permanent collection including, “Grandmother Moorehead’s Aromatic Kitchen” by the famous surrealist painter Leonora Carrington.
This exhibit, along with the Worley Faver Potter Exhibition, will run through Nov. 21.
“The Passions of the Blood” by Ellis is based on the Bram Stoker novel “Dracula.” It consists of a series of mixed-media pieces, which include photography, organics, metals, oil paint and wax. Ellis, who won “Best of Show” for Small Works at Murray State College this past spring, created this exhibition with college students in mind.
“I wanted to show students that literature can be a source of inspiration,” said Ellis, who translated the descriptive details from Stoker’s novel into visually stunning pieces. “I wanted to do something that would attract their attention. I needed to do something current, and this genre is very popular in both literature and films right now.”
First published in 1897, the Stoker novel was considered very racy for its time. The Ellis show includes: “The Passion of the Blood,” “The Rise of the Dead,” “The Desolation of Reinfield,” “The Heart of Van Helsing,” “The Torment of Jonathan Harker,” “The Seduction of Miss Lucy” and “The Courtship of the Count and Madam Mina.”
Ellis, who splits his time between Ardmore and New Orleans, has a bachelor of fine arts degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a master of fine arts from North Texas State University.
The exhibitions are available for viewing during normal business hours. The Goddard Center is located at 401 1st. Ave. SW. To ask questions, call the center’s business office at (580) 226-0909.
