Join us for the opening reception of "Shame Based Man," by Ray Wetzel. The reception is free and open to the community.

Artist's Statement:
The work presented in this exhibition was started at a low point of personal doubt, but was completed at a point of happiness and clarity that focused on the idea of letting go of past failures and disappointments. In many ways it is about moving on with hope for the future.

The paintings are very personal and each have a story that I will be glad to share in person, but through creating this work I have finally been able to let go of years of baggage that caused personal shame. Life, relationships, moments, inanimate objects all come to an end, so why not let this cycle of SHAME end as well?

Artist Bio:
Ray Wetzel worked as an independent studio artist for over ten years before attending Jacksonville State University and receiving a BFA in painting. Upon completing the program, he was hired as the gallery coordinator for the university, which led to a career in the museum field.

Wetzel volunteered and trained at several institutions in the Southeast before being hired as the curator at the Gadsden Museum of Art. He is currently director/curator at the museum. Wetzel has had nine solo shows as an artist and participated in over forty group shows.