Press Release 2026
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Emilie Heidemann, Carnelian Art Gallery marketing director
920-763-6980
eheidemanncag@gmail.com
PHOTOS:
Email eheidemanncag@gmail.com, and you will be given access to a Google Drive link with visuals of paintings.
MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 31 - Carnelian Art Gallery, located at 221 King St., Suite 102, in downtown Madison, is pleased to announce its October exhibition, titled ”Chuck Bauer: Recent Works.” This is a solo show featuring Madison artist Chuck Bauer, who is a veteran of Madison’s art community and is regionally renowned for his vibrant floral pieces and en plein air artworks.
Chuck Bauer: Recent Works is slated to kick off with an opening reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2. The show’s end date is Saturday, Oct. 31. As always at Carnelian Art Gallery, admission on opening night is free, and light refreshments will be served. At 6 p.m. on opening night, Bauer will deliver an artist talk.
"It feels validating for any artist to show their work in a commercial setting,” says Bauer. “To be supported by an important downtown Madison gallery is not only motivating, and validating, but inspirational."
Bauer employs logic when creating his works. His painting process has a clear beginning, middle and end. Beginning usually involves a canvas on which he has painted an opaque color, like bright red. Then comes a simplified charcoal outline of what Bauer wants to paint using photos or by working outdoors for reference. He tends to gravitate toward natural and representational subjects, like landscapes and the built environment. After the initial charcoal drawing, Bauer adds a dark and light value using acrylic paint.
Finally, he applies oil paint over the acrylic to bring out the true quality of the scene he's painting.
Sometimes, Bauer will take more liberties, adding his own personal flair to a normally banal landscape. A winter setting might become a whimsical autumn one. And sometimes, that decision isn't even up to Bauer, he said, as his creations often reveal themselves to him on their own.
He originally grew up in Philadelphia. He discovered his passion for art at university. Bauer is a 1965 graduate of The William Penn Charter School out of Pennsylvania. In 1966, he studied art history in Paris, France, for a summer.
Bauer went on to receive in 1968 his undergraduate degree at Ohio Wesleyan University. He then obtained his graduate degree in fine art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1969. In 1972, Bauer opened The Soap Opera, a gift retail store, which now operates on State Street in downtown Madison (just a hop and a skip from the gallery), with his husband, also named Chuck Beckwith.
Together, the couple operated the business until 2016, when they sold it. During that time, Bauer refined his artistic process by working with mentors, taking workshops, and experimenting with different techniques on his own. He continues to do so in his retirement, most often turning to en plein air and other forms of traditional, representational easel painting.
“We are so excited to host Bauer for a solo exhibition featuring his recent works,” says Evan Bradbury, Carnelian Art Gallery owner and head curator. “Bauer has been an incredible friend to the gallery since its inception, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his contributions both to the business and the greater Madison art community. Please join us on opening night to kick off our October show. If you like color, this exhibition is especially for you.”
“Bauer is such a kind soul,” says Emilie Heidemann, Carnelian Art Gallery marketing director. “I am a personal fan of his work, and think that all lovers of art should come to this opening. Carnelian Art Gallery welcomes all who love art.”
"In a world of numbing swiftness and evanescence, treat yourself to something real,” Bauer says. “Original fine art paintings and one of a kind fine art prints (not reproductions) made using traditional materials, techniques, discipline, worldview and care."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Emilie Heidemann, Carnelian Art Gallery marketing director
920-763-6980
eheidemanncag@gmail.com
PHOTOS:
Email eheidemanncag@gmail.com, and you will be given access to a Google Drive link with visuals of paintings.
MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 31 - Carnelian Art Gallery, located at 221 King St., Suite 102, in downtown Madison, is pleased to announce its October exhibition, titled ”Chuck Bauer: Recent Works.” This is a solo show featuring Madison artist Chuck Bauer, who is a veteran of Madison’s art community and is regionally renowned for his vibrant floral pieces and en plein air artworks.
Chuck Bauer: Recent Works is slated to kick off with an opening reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2. The show’s end date is Saturday, Oct. 31. As always at Carnelian Art Gallery, admission on opening night is free, and light refreshments will be served. At 6 p.m. on opening night, Bauer will deliver an artist talk.
"It feels validating for any artist to show their work in a commercial setting,” says Bauer. “To be supported by an important downtown Madison gallery is not only motivating, and validating, but inspirational."
Bauer employs logic when creating his works. His painting process has a clear beginning, middle and end. Beginning usually involves a canvas on which he has painted an opaque color, like bright red. Then comes a simplified charcoal outline of what Bauer wants to paint using photos or by working outdoors for reference. He tends to gravitate toward natural and representational subjects, like landscapes and the built environment. After the initial charcoal drawing, Bauer adds a dark and light value using acrylic paint.
Finally, he applies oil paint over the acrylic to bring out the true quality of the scene he's painting.
Sometimes, Bauer will take more liberties, adding his own personal flair to a normally banal landscape. A winter setting might become a whimsical autumn one. And sometimes, that decision isn't even up to Bauer, he said, as his creations often reveal themselves to him on their own.
He originally grew up in Philadelphia. He discovered his passion for art at university. Bauer is a 1965 graduate of The William Penn Charter School out of Pennsylvania. In 1966, he studied art history in Paris, France, for a summer.
Bauer went on to receive in 1968 his undergraduate degree at Ohio Wesleyan University. He then obtained his graduate degree in fine art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1969. In 1972, Bauer opened The Soap Opera, a gift retail store, which now operates on State Street in downtown Madison (just a hop and a skip from the gallery), with his husband, also named Chuck Beckwith.
Together, the couple operated the business until 2016, when they sold it. During that time, Bauer refined his artistic process by working with mentors, taking workshops, and experimenting with different techniques on his own. He continues to do so in his retirement, most often turning to en plein air and other forms of traditional, representational easel painting.
“We are so excited to host Bauer for a solo exhibition featuring his recent works,” says Evan Bradbury, Carnelian Art Gallery owner and head curator. “Bauer has been an incredible friend to the gallery since its inception, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his contributions both to the business and the greater Madison art community. Please join us on opening night to kick off our October show. If you like color, this exhibition is especially for you.”
“Bauer is such a kind soul,” says Emilie Heidemann, Carnelian Art Gallery marketing director. “I am a personal fan of his work, and think that all lovers of art should come to this opening. Carnelian Art Gallery welcomes all who love art.”
"In a world of numbing swiftness and evanescence, treat yourself to something real,” Bauer says. “Original fine art paintings and one of a kind fine art prints (not reproductions) made using traditional materials, techniques, discipline, worldview and care."
