Black and Light

Exhibit on view from September 11 through October 18 Gualala Arts is proud to present Black and Light, a compelling group exhibition featuring the works of fine art photographers Debi Lorenc and Joyce Perlman, alongside abstract painter Michael Connor. This trio of Northern California artists invites viewers into a rich dialogue between shadow and illumination, memory and transformation. Joyce Perlman A fine art documentary photographer, Perlman captures the beauty and complexity of real-life moments through visual storytelling. Her series in Black and Light explores the rituals and relationships that shape human experience, with a particular focus on aging and heritage. Her work is deeply rooted in the interplay of contrast—how light reveals, and darkness remembers. Michael Connor Known for his abstract painting and non-linear narratives, Connor’s work reflects a journey shaped by a near-death experience. His pieces in this exhibition examine fluidity and form, offering glimpses into altered states of perception and consciousness. With decades of creative direction in Silicon Valley behind him, Connor now paints stories that transcend time and space. Debi Lorenc Lorenc’s photography is infused with reverence for light and nature, inspired by her off-grid cabin in Big Sur. Her latest work involves merging multiple images to uncover deeper meaning and resonance. Through this transformative process, she reveals the emotional and visual connections that emerge when disparate moments are brought together. Black and Light is a celebration of artistic vision and personal journey—an invitation to reflect on how light shapes our understanding of self, place, and time. 501(c)(3) Tax ID# 94-6121872 The Gualala Arts Center gratefully acknowledges the Native Peoples whose ancestral homelands we now share, and specifically the Pomo of Kashia and Manchester-Point Arena tribes, the first inhabitants of what is now coastal Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. We recognize the legacies of displacement and settlement that bring us together here and honor our shared commitment to being respectful and responsible protectors of land, water, people, arts, and culture.