By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The director of a nonprofit art collaborative in downtown was honored Friday with an award that recognizes her for her passion and unwavering support for the city’s artistic community.
Laura Gomel was presented with the Deborah Newton Artist Recognition Award from Womanspace at 317 Art Collaborative, a nonprofit that operates a contemporary artist gallery and artist studios.
Womanspace leadership said Gomel was a fitting recipient because she is a driving force in the local art scene, promoting engagement, art education and providing a safe space for artists of all walks of life.
“Laura Gomel puts everything she has into every idea she comes up with of how to make art more accessible and exciting, especially for young and emerging artists,” said Nicole Landreth, co-director of Womanspace and a former resident artist at 317. “The opportunities for emerging, beginning artists that 317 Art Collaborative provides under the direction of Laura is so important. It’s such an incredible resource for the Rockford community.”
The award also comes with a fully sponsored solo art show in the Reif Gallery at Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Drive, and one of her works will be displayed in the organization’s community space.
Gomel’s show debuts Jan. 10 and is called “Kami Wanita,” which means “we are women” in Indonesian. It features portraits of women she met while traveling in a remote region of Indonesia.
“I have noticed many times when traveling abroad that we all have much more in common than we have differences,” Gomel said. “This is true even in the most exotic, remote and different cultures than the one we live in.”
The idea for the show came to Gomel on a recent trip to Indonesia.
“For this show, I hope to convey the commonality that all women share regardless of race, religion, location and cultural boundaries,” she said.
The award is named in tribute to the late artist Deborah Newton, who purchased and created the artist gallery and studios at 317 Market Street roughly 40 years ago. Newton was also instrumental in creating and fostering the idea for what is now known as Rockford ArtScene. Newton died in 2019.
Gomel, who has been an artist for 40 years and is entering her sixth season leading 317 Art Collaborative, said she was surprised and excited to learn she was given the honor.
“I finally felt like somebody in the community actually saw all the work and all the effort that has been from me and other people over the last six years now,” Gomel said. “Now I feel seen, and everyone wants to feel seen.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas