'The Lighter Side': George Kocar at BAYarts
Bay Village native George Kocar takes a look at the lighter side in a new exhibition of his intensely colored and satirical paintings at BAYarts.
"We think this is just what we all need at this time," says BAYarts Artistic Director Karen Petkovic. "You cannot help but feel good when you look at the humor and the wonderful vibrant colors of George's work."
A professional illustrator for American Greetings for nearly 20 years, Kocar's work has appeared in such publications as Esquire, The New York Times, Playboy and The Washington Post. His work is in many national private and corporate collections. Now retired, he works out of his Bay Village studio and is a prolific participant in local galleries and festivals and shops like BAYarts.
Kocar's new book, "The Flying Banana: The Art of George Kocar," is a collection of his body of work. ("The Flying Banana" is a reference to, literally, a flying banana, and a character he created early on as he developed his signature style.) The book is available in the BAYarts shop and gallery along with his popular paintings of cats and dogs.
"George Kocar: The Lighter Side" is now open in the Sullivan Family Gallery (in the Fuller House), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment. BAYarts' new "Night Gallery" events for groups of 10 (social distancing!) followed by a boxed dinner in the park are Wednesday and Friday for Happy Hour or evening slots; reserve at www.bayarts.net.
Nancy Heaton
Nancy Heaton is Executive Director at BAYarts