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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T180000
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UID:30539-1781805600-1781816400@downtownartsdistrict.com
SUMMARY:Today (It’s Not OK) A Special Exhibition by Parker Sketch at Side Gallery in CityArts
DESCRIPTION:Today (It’s Not OK)\nA Special Exhibition by Parker Sketch\nArt For All Spaces presents Today (It’s Not OK)\, a powerful and timely exhibition by Orlando-based artist Parker Sketch\, opening with a public reception on June 18th \, 2026\, in the Side Gallery at CityArts in downtown Orlando. The exhibition runs through July 11th \, 2026. \nRooted in painting and art historical awareness\, Today (It’s Not OK) reflects an emotional and political reckoning shaped by the turbulence of the present moment. The exhibition draws from abstraction and expressive mark-making while carrying a deeper conceptual weight—revealing works that appear visually inviting at first glance\, yet speak directly to contemporary realities of chaos\, oppression\, and uncertainty. \nAs novelist and cultural icon Toni Morrison stated:\n“All good art is political! There is none that isn’t. And the ones that try hard not to be political are political by saying\, ‘We love the status quo.’” \nThat philosophy resonates strongly throughout this exhibition. Reflecting on the work\, Parker Sketch shares: \n“The past year has been challenging. World news and politics are depressing. Recently I have been avoiding conceptual art and pop art because working on these styles doesn’t feel right for me in this moment in history. Most of my recent work has been abstract and expressive. While I was working on these pieces\, I found that even though I was trying to avoid it\, I was creating extremely personal and political work. At first glance\, these pieces seem like pleasant abstracts\, but they are speaking to today’s world of chaos and oppression.” \nAbout the Artist\nParker Sketch earned his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has built a multifaceted career grounded in painting\, art history\, and professional arts practice. His experience includes working in galleries\, frame shops\, museums\, and fine-art fashion studios\, where he has served as an artist\, designer\, and project manager. \nNow based in Orlando\, Parker is a highly active figure in the local arts community. He exhibits regularly\, curates exhibitions\, and is a resident artist at FAVO\, where he regularly hosts a monthly critique group for local artists. His practice reflects both deep technical knowledge and a commitment to critical engagement through visual language. \nSponsors\nThis special exhibition is made possible with the generous support of Roberta Alfonso\, Baxter Systems\, Vicki Green\, and others\, whose commitment to the arts helps bring important and challenging conversations into public view.
URL:https://downtownartsdistrict.com/event/today-its-not-ok-a-special-exhibition-by-parker-sketch-at-side-gallery-in-cityarts/
LOCATION:CityArts\, 39 S. Magnolia Avenue\, Orlando\, FL\, 32801\, United States
CATEGORIES:Visual Art
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://downtownartsdistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/ParkerS-Promosquare.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Downtown Arts District":MAILTO:hhogan@dadorlando.com
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