Nestled deep within each intricate layer of artistic design rests meaning. Each surveyor may find a different meaning within a single piece of work, but conveying a meaning is intrinsic to artistic expression. The “Seen and Unseen” exhibit, on display until Feb. 29 at the Artstream Gallery in Rochester, exemplifies the theme of deeper or hidden meanings. The four local artists on display— sculptor Adam Pearson and painters Mary Bullock, Judith Heller Cassell and Amber Lavalley—“all have this vision about past places and relationships … (Their works reflect) the unseen or hidden meanings.” Those are the words of Susan Schwake-Larochelle, owner of Artstream and curator of the “Seen and Unseen” exhibit.

Schwake-Larochelle has a personal connection with each of the artists on display, which gives the exhibit a pleasantly quaint aura. One of the artists she has the most direct contact with is Rochester native Amber Lavalley, who received her BFA from Montserrat College of Art in 2004. Since graduating, she has joined Artstream as an intern, providing guidance to the studio’s art students. The classes were designed to educate people of all ages about the formal and informal aspects of artistic expression. Lavalley’s greatest asset, however, is her own artwork, which Schwake-Larochelle describes on her Web site as being marked with “masks” and “deeply personal.”

Many of Lavalley’s works utilize muted colors and distorted human figures to convey underlying emotions. In her artist’s statement, Lavalley attributes her penchant for creating human figures to her enjoyment of “creating different moods.” The quality of Lavalley’s work stems directly from a highly developed knowledge of her craft. Another portion of Lavalley’s statement reveals her cognizant and creative nature. She produces “work with little forethought, allowing chance and spontaneity to lead and formal training to correct,” she writes.

Judith Heller Cassell’s contributions to the “Seen and Unseen” exhibit seem to have the strongest initial draw. Her fascinating reliance on bamboo and simple figures catches the eye, but further observation is needed. At a glance, her piece titled “Four Seasons” appears to be the same work repeated four times. However, her subtle use of color conveys the emotions associated with each season. According to Cassell’s artist’s statement, her keen perception of nature comes from childhood.
“I was born in a log cabin in rural Virginia, and those days spent musing in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains are the creative spirit behind most of my work,” she writes.

The vivid recollection of Cassell’s past includes an almost spiritual combination of nature and art. “Drawing in the dirt was one of my earliest memories. I remember the warmth of the sun on my back, the feel of the soil as it separated beneath my fingers, and the thrill of the magic that formed those images,” Cassell writes.

Mary Bullock’s work revolves around light’s interaction with the human figure. All of her works on display feature a person being illuminated by one main source of light. Bullock’s Web site specifically states her goal when crafting a scene: to create “dramatic figurative subjects and intensely intimate moments.” The result captures the inner essence of her subjects, creating them as figures impervious to the pull of the outside world.

Adam Pearson primarily sculpts figures out of found metals. His discoveries are rarely modified. Instead, he combines these discarded gems in a process that is complete only when they have been molded into the shape of a human figure. 
“We love his things,” Schwake-Larochelle said of Pearson. “His work has evolved a lot.”

One of Pearson’s most impressive works sits as a fixture of the gallery: He pieced together the welcoming information booth that adorns the main entrance.

All of the original pieces on display at Artstream are also on sale.

“It’s nice to be able to leave with an original piece of art,” said Schwake-Larochelle, who works to make each visit atypical from the normative art gallery experience. Furthermore, the gallery offers an online store at its Web site, www.artstreamstudios.com/shop. One feature of the store includes a “Lovely Hearts” charity exhibition, where small and inexpensive artwork can be purchased to benefit breast cancer research.

Works from Artstream’s students can also be seen in the back of the gallery. The arrangement illustrates artists’ growth through stages of development, which can only be observed through contrast.

Artsream is located next to Rochester District Court on North Main Street. Artstream is open Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays require an appointment, which can be arranged by calling 603-330-0333 or by visiting www.artsteamstudios.com.