Kirkland Arts Center Presents SECRETS CAN..., 2/6

Kirkland Arts Center's upcoming exhibition, Secrets Can..., takes a modern look at how secrets shape identities and relationships as they are withheld or shared. The diverse contemporary works featured in Secrets Can...range from abstract to figurative, exploring what it means to be vulnerable and strive for meaningful human connection in the 21st century. Icebergs float in isolation in several pieces, while tangled strings connect human figures in others.

University of Washington graduate studentRebecca Fronczak developed the exhibition for her Master's thesis project through the Emerging Curator Initiative, a partnership between the Kirkland Arts Center and the Museology Graduate Program at UW that began in 2008. Fronczak was initially inspired by graphic artists like Alison Bechdel, who use a medium traditionally seen as juvenile to explore more mature themes of love, loss, and longing. "Through the Emerging Curator Initiative program, my mentors helped me drill that concept down to the core of my inspiration - sharing secrets through art," explains Fronczak.

The exhibit features a number of artists: Leslie Balleweg, Melissa Dyanne Bartlett, Cynthia Camlin, Raul Campos, Diem Chau, Ellen Heck, Devon Kelley, Doug Keyes, Nick Kosciuk, Piper O'Neill, Kate Rosendale, Samantha Scherer, Amy Spassov, Tim Suchsland, SylC, and Friese Undine. Fronczak says, "Each of the pieces in the show invites visitors to reflect on their own lives or to consider different possibilities." In "Humans of NY," artist Doug Keyes overlaps countless images of individuals into a colorful, ghostly portrait, offering a reminder that our different lives lead to similar struggles and stories. Nick Kosciuk's "Paulina in Green" depicts a young girl covering her mouth, unable or unwilling to speak, leaving the viewer to wonder what she is thinking.

Secrets Can... is not a passive experience-it is a space for people to think, engage, dialogue, transform, connect, and discover. An interactive activity will invite visitors to share a secret anonymously or view the secrets of others. A zine, designed by local artist and high school guidance counselor Tim Suchsland, will be available to take home, which includes a reading list for younger gallery visitors and their caregivers, discussing safe and unsafe secrets.

Follow the progress and behind-the-scenes looks at the development of Secrets Can... on Twitter and Instagram @SecretsCan_KAC and join us for the Opening Night on Friday, February 5thfrom 6:00 - 8:30 PM.