Artist

From a young age, art has been a driving force in Joshua Leland Yurges's life. His journey began in elementary school, working alongside his carpenter father, where he learned to tell stories through one of the earth's most enduring materials: wood.

Just before turning 21, Joshua was stationed in Rockland, Maine, with the United States Coast Guard. It was during this time that he resolved to pursue a career in art, discovering the exhilarating process of transforming imagination into tangible forms.

Joshua has since forged his own visual narratives through a diverse array of artistic mediums. After his service, he immersed himself in both scientific and artistic studies, drawing inspiration from disciplines such as horticulture, geology, furniture making, and installation art. This eclectic background informs his grounded approach, allowing him to explore the intersection of reality and possibility.

Surrounded by a community of creatives, Joshua met his wife, who further deepened his passion for the tactile and poetic nature of physical art.

Now based in Staunton, Virginia, Joshua lives with his wife, twins, and an abundance of cats

Artwork

Here’s another reworded version of your artist statement:

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A chance encounter at a hardware store introduced Joshua to lath, the slender wooden strips often hidden behind historic plaster walls. Typically discarded during renovations, these materials captivated him and inspired him to explore construction sites for items that could be repurposed in his studio.

Using lath requires both patience and a thoughtful approach, allowing Joshua to celebrate the rich history embedded in this enduring material. He discovered that lath offers a resilience that presents new challenges, distinct from those in his previous works.

After exploring various artistic mediums, finding lath ignited a profound connection and opened exciting new possibilities for his creativity.

C.V.

Solo Exhibitions

• September - November 2024
  Artworks Gallery, Richmond, Virginia
  Solo Show

Residencies

• August 1 - 30, 2024
  Staunton Augusta Art Center, Staunton, Virginia
  Art Residency

Group Exhibitions

• July - August 2024
  Hidelbrooks Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina
  "Intro Show"

• April 5 - 26, 2024
  Staunton Augusta Art Center, Staunton, Virginia
  "Emerging Artist Show"

• September 2020 - Present
  Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

• November 3 - 15, 2020
  McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, Virginia
  "Art Unlocked"

• July 25 - August 30, 2015
  Corey Daniels Gallery, Post Road, Wells, Maine
  "Summer Exhibition 2015"

• September 2013
  Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Shore Road, Ogunquit, Maine
  "Emerging Artists 2013"

• March 2011
  Corey Daniels Gallery, Post Road, Wells, Maine
  Group Show

• August 2010
  June Fitzpatrick Gallery at MECA, Congress Street, Portland, Maine
  "Dots"

• February 2010
  Eastland Park Hotel Gallery, High Street, Portland, Maine
  Two-Person Show

• October 2009
  North Dam Mill Gallery, Biddeford, Maine
  "Yurges and McKeever" (Two-Person Show)

• September 2008
  Merrill Auditorium, Portland, Maine
  "Black Frame Art Show"

• December 2007
  Space Gallery, Congress Street, Portland, Maine
  "Free for All"