The Islip Arts Council invites you to go ‘Beyond the Surface’

The Islip Arts Council proudly presents “Beyond the Surface,” a solo exhibition by celebrated painter Lisa Petker Mintz. Join the IAC for the opening reception at the IAC gallery on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m., or view the exhibition during regular gallery hours, Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 to 4 p.m.A dedicated process artist, Mintz is deeply inspired by the bold prints and vibrant patterns of the 1970s, which influence her use of textured fabrics. She often incorporates everyday and unconventional objects to make marks on her canvases, adding depth and tactile interest to her work.

Mintz was awarded a Creative Individual Grant from the Huntington Arts Council, supporting her exploration of new directions in her art.

Mintz’s newest body of work is imbued with optimism, capturing joyful moments such as the warmth of the sun, the beauty of a vibrant sky, or the first blooms of spring.

“I use everyday life as my inspiration,” shared Mintz. “I am not trying to copy nature; I want the viewer to experience the joy I get from everyday life.”

For Mintz, painting is an essential part of life—a daily practice that celebrates the endless possibilities of creation. Her paintings feature richly layered impasto and fabric that invite viewers to experience the work through both sight and touch.

“I am a process painter. I start with the imagery, or the feeling from the experience. I translate it into paint and the various materials I use,” said Mintz. “I make marks in a variety of ways. When people ask me how I made them, I reply, ‘Some things need to be a secret.’”

Mintz first collaborated with executive director of the IAC, Lynda Moran, in 2015, when curator Beth Giacummo featured her work in the “Print Up Ladies” exhibition at the Islip Art Museum. Mintz had the honor of exhibiting alongside renowned artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, Elizabeth Murray, Lisa Yuskavage and Lee Bontecou.

Mintz has an extensive exhibition history across the East Coast. This past year, her work was shown by Marie St. Germain, in Texas. In 2023, she presented a solo exhibition titled “Beyond the Sun” at The Painting Center in Chelsea.

Looking ahead, Mintz has three solo exhibitions scheduled for 2025. She has also expanded her repertoire to include curatorial work, most recently as the juror of the Patchworks exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Patchogue.

To learn more about Mintz and her work, visit LisaPetkerMintz.com or follow her on Instagram, @LPetkerMintz, to witness the evolution of her creative process.