Coterie: An Intimate Group with a Unifying Purpose

From the venue:

378 Gallery presents the July exhibition, Coterie, beginning Friday, July 8, running through Saturday, July 30, 2022. There will be an opening event featuring music by Jeff Mark Diamond and Friends in the Lo Gallery at 378 Gallery on Friday, July 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Coterie gathers the work of six women artists – Lauren Betty, Linda Mitchell, Eleanor Neal, Marienelly Piñango, Corrina Sephora, and Susan Ker-Seymer – who came together over time to form a critique group while all working out of studios in the Goat Farm Arts Center. The proximity within that artistic space and the ability to walk to each other’s studios created opportunities to learn about each other, to see each other’s work and ultimately to seek out honest feedback, continually stretching the limits of their own work. These six artists have been persistent in showing up to their critique sessions with work and ideas to share with one another, even during times when staying connected hasn’t been easy. Their sincere, heartfelt and productive criticism of each other’s work and the ongoing dialogue they have maintained since 2018 has strengthened their commitment to remain in conversation. Throughout the closing of their origin spaces at the GFAC and during the height of the pandemic lockdowns, they have held their monthly critique meetings via video when needed, and continue to visit each other’s studios, even while scattered around the greater Atlanta area.