n its year-end exhibit of 2017, the Silvermine Galleries will present a Guild Group Show guest curated by Eric Ben-Kiki, whose contemporary art gallery in downtown Hartford is creating a new model for presenting artists to the public. Ben-Kiki brings his curatorial eye to the wide-ranging work of the Silvermine Guild of Artists.

Speaking about his selections for the Guild Group exhibition, Eric Ben-Kiki said he thinks about “the presence each piece commands. I juggle multiple ideas to apply when I view a wide spectrum of artwork. I think about the poetic voice of a piece, the crafting of it, the idea driving it, layers of perception in play. And also, very, very important, is keeping in mind that there is a viewing public that will see though eyes other than mine. For me, the type of artwork doesn’t pre-determine any decisions of choice, because the caliber of work will ultimately be what presents itself. One of the most rewarding experiences curating and choosing artwork for exhibits are those moments of discovery. There were many here at Silvermine.”