Artist
Lawrence Forte
lf9685@gmail.com
Job Objective; Artist, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Skills
Experienced with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
Very strong background in the visual arts, including expertise in oil painting
Over twenty years of exhibition installation experience in museum and gallery settings
Professional Experience
Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA 2004 - present
Designed and created exhibition labels and signage using Adobe InDesign
Voluntarily designed promotional materials for museum functions and events as needed
Created and installed custom displays and mounts for exhibitions
Designed and fabricated custom crates and packaging for fine art objects
Supervised and trained student workers and temporary helpers as needed
Worked as a freelance GMOA preparator from 1997 onward, until hired on full-time in 2004
Lyndon House Arts Center, Athens, GA 1998 - 2004
Worked as a freelance exhibition preparator and art handler
Duties included designing and creating exhibition furniture, installing gallery lighting,
installing works of art, and managing the wood shop
Taught two 6-week “Introduction to Oil Painting” classes to community members
Grey Art Gallery, New York University, New York City 1997 - 2000
Worked as a freelance exhibition preparator and art handler
Installed gallery signage, exhibition lighting, and works of art
Prepared exhibition space by constructing temporary walls, exhibition
furniture, and display mounts
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City 1992 - 2000
Worked as a freelance exhibition preparator and art handler
Prepared exhibition spaces and installed gallery signage
Supervised a 5-10 person production crew
Pace Wildenstein Gallery, New York City 1995 - 2000
Worked as a freelance exhibition preparator and art handler
Amann Conservation Associates, New York City 1995
Assisted fine arts conservators on a freelance basis
Saroush Designs, New York City 1991
Worked to prepare mailings, assist with proof reading,
and perform general office duties on a freelance basis
Worked to paint large-scale props and murals on a freelance basis
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FLA 1988 - 1990
Worked full-time as an exhibition preparator and art handler
Duties included installing art, painting show title signs, installing gallery lighting,
matting and framing works of art, and preparing exhibition spaces
Education
Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FLA 1983 - 1986
Certificate of Fine Arts, Painting
Artist statement:
The range of paint as a medium is grand, if not endless. With this in mind I have begun to embrace the methods that come naturally to me. I am coming to terms with the fact that I cannot do everything at once. So, in order not to be distracted by the endless barrage of interest, I am focusing on my strengths, and minimizing experimentation. Discipline and structure must exist before anything meaningful can occur. This has been a difficult rule for me to accept.
My way is mostly an intuitive one. This means that the information conveyed is not of literal thought. What is offered is a nonverbal feeling or presence of mind.
My process is less of an invention and more of a development. The paintings have become like footsteps on a long road to self realization. The more I work, the more I gain respect for anyone working in the field, past or present.
The physical aspect of painting is very important. Most development happens while actively painting. I like the feeling of movement combined with deep stillness. My paintings are simple imagery in simple compositions.
I am aware that I am building on the forms and philosophies of others. My aim is to make good work.
Contemplation and reflection are key. My best work happens after a period of thought. When that is done, I enjoy the freedom of actively painting.
My predominant, but loosely defined, themes are Inspiration, Optimism, and Consciousness. I would like to use my work to spark a feeling of encouragement in the viewer.
When all is said and done, I hope my work will serve as a force for good.
Larry Forte
Hello, I’m Larry, an artist and musician living in Athens, GA. Here is my story:
After art school, I and several friends from the Ringling School of Art and Design, ran an alternative art space out of the top floor apartment of the building that I was living in. We featured art and music, we got plenty of attention, and had a lot of fun. Before I left Sarasota, I was fortunate enough to work two years as an art handler at the John and Mable Ringling Museum.
In 1990, I moved to New York, and soon began work as a freelance art installer and museum preparator.
Though I had many great experiences, my artwork suffered. I longed for the time and space and peace of mind to just make art. After five years as a resident of New York, I moved down south and started making art again. I traveled back and forth for freelance work in the city. On one of these trips I met my lovely wife, a brilliant artist. She came down and we both began working and peddling our wares in the local Athens art scene.
In 2004, I got my current job in the exhibition dept. at a wonderful local art museum, The Georgia Museum of Art at UGA. I am painting again and I have recently opened my Etsy shop. Please take a look.⬇
