May brings watery abstracts, musical impressionism to Heights Arts

Waves of Blue and Green (2017), by Christine Mauersberger.

From the changing hues of Lake Erie to the fluid grace of French classical music, two spring programs at Heights Arts celebrate the natural world through imagery and sound. 

On Friday, May 5, Christine Mauersberger: Aquascapes opens in the spotlight gallery with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. A native Clevelander and Heights Arts working-artist member, Christine Mauersberger uses a variety of media to create pieces that range from small and intimate to room-sized installations. She has been the recipient of numerous fellowships and grants, including the Ohio Arts Council Award of Individual Excellence, a Creative Workforce Fellowship, and a Windgate Craft Artist Fellowship from the Vermont Studio Center.

Mauersberger said, “The Aquascapes series is directly influenced by my views of Lake Erie. I am always surprised by the transient nature of its color on any one day. I’m interested in creating beautiful images of water and light to evoke its timeless nature.” The watercolor and ink drawings on synthetic paper will be displayed through Sunday, June 18.

Liquid elegance of another sort prevails when Vive La France! marks the finale of Heights Arts eleventh season of Close Encounters chamber music on Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m. Cleveland Orchestra members Isabel Trautwein, violin; Joanna Patterson, viola; and Tanya Ell, cello; plus guest Patti Wolf on piano, offer the Debussy Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Ysaÿe’s Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2 in A minor, and Fauré's Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor. Debussy’s late cello sonata and his teacher Fauré’s exciting piano quartet are masterful examples of French Impressionism. Following Bach's example, Ysaÿe composed a set of six demonically difficult sonatas for solo violin.

The Sunday afternoon house concert will be held in a private estate nestled in the Shaker Heights parklands. Advance tickets (with discounts for students and members) are available at the Heights Arts gallery, www.heightsarts.org or by calling 216-371-3457.