Gualala Arts Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961
Dolphin Gallery is pleased to present Sensory States, a new exhibit by local artist Lisa Lauer, opening Saturday, May 2. The public is invited to meet the artist and experience her evocative work during an opening reception from 1 to 3 PM. The exhibit will remain on view through May 31.
In Sensory States, Lauer invites viewers to consider how external landscapes can mirror and influence not only our physical senses, but also our internal emotional terrain. Using groups of works, each centered on a unique scene, Lauer explores how our reaction shifts based on differences in perspective, color palette, style and medium. “Landscapes are more than representative scenes,” she explains. “They serve as windows into our consciousness that elicit memories, ideas and emotions.”
The result is a richly layered experience that evokes a range of sensory responses. Lauer’s thoughtful approach transforms familiar terrain into intimate encounters, reminding us that the vastness of a landscape can stir deeply personal reactions.
About Lisa Lauer
In her landscape paintings, Lauer seeks to evoke a precarious sensory state—one that captures both the serenity and volatility of the natural world. Her work explores the tension between stillness and imbalance, grace and chaos, and the dynamic interplay of forces that shape our environment. She credits the North Coast with being the ideal muse.
Lauer earned a degree in art history with a minor in studio art from Swarthmore College, intending to pursue art restoration and museum work. Instead, her career path led to the tech industry. All the while, a singular dream sat in the back of her mind: to live where land meets sea and paint full-time.
Dolphin Gallery is located at 39140 Highway 1 in the Seacliff Center in Gualala. For more information, visit gualalaarts.org.