BLOOMSBURG — Artspace Gallery recently announced the opening of its latest exhibition, “Dissonance,” featuring the work of member artist Jermaine Johnson. The work in this exhibit is dedicated to his late mother, Tanya, who passed away in late 2023.

A public reception is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday and the artist will be available to discuss his work in the gallery that evening. Light refreshments and food will be served.

Johnson has been an artist his whole life. He is primarily an oil painter, wire weaver, and fiber artist and was educated at the Art Institute of Philadelphia.

The work that makes up “Dissonance” derives from the idea that history doesn’t just stop at what you want to know, but existence is a web that sometimes doesn’t make sense in the moment. “You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you,” as a certain vice president said.

Themes of media, spirituality, race, history, popular culture brainwashing, emotions and tragedy are a catalyst to bear witness and make some sort of context from what Johnson knows as an artist to be true: that everything is connected through the ether. The scrambled vintage television set test patterns, the sometimes stark and macabre imagery and nostalgia are meant to be unsettling, because it is a privilege not to have to think about such things. The hope is to spark a sense of curiosity as to how each image may fit together in a context.

Johnson’s work has always spanned painting, fiber art, fashion/jewelry, and media. His materials consist of water mixable oils, paper, synthetic and natural fibers/barks, semi-precious stones and copper wire along with whatever else sparks an idea. Using such diverse materials is indicative of the contradictions in “Dissonance”. It is a thrilling experience for the artist to figure out how each medium can logically fit together.

Artspace Gallery is one of the region’s oldest established fine art and craft galleries. For over 20 years the gallery has been open to the public and has exhibited and sold original pieces by local artists. As a cooperative, the member artists share in the tasks of running and maintaining the gallery year-round. Together, they keep Artspace a thriving business that has turned into the destination for art-lovers who seek beautiful, locally made art. The works exhibited include ceramics, drawings, encaustics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, paintings, photography, prints, and woodwork.

Artspace Gallery is located at 221 Center Street, Bloomsburg. The gallery is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about this and additional exhibitions or the gallery’s complete listing of member artists, visit www.artspacebloomsburg.com. The gallery may also be reached by email at artspacebloomsburg@gmail.com or by phone at 570-764-0737.