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Thursday, September 18th - October 31st, 2025

51������ is proud to present a collection of stunning work by local painter Laike Palermo in her solo exhibition, Laike 2018-2015. These thought-provoking paintings and other mixed media works from 2015-2018 will be on display, exemplifying Palermo’s unique style — equal parts surreal, classical, and deeply personal — which captivated audiences at her recent Hunt Gallery and Tri-Mania residencies.

“I have learned so much since I was a teenager flipping through my first art textbook,” said Palermo. “My love for the human body still resides in me, and I ache knowing that all I want to do is paint. I feel a burn, a pain in my chest when I haven't painted in a while or haven't mixed colors with my pallet knife. Between conversations with other artists, lessons inside classrooms, critiques between groups of people viewing my art, or critiques with a personal artist, my paintings have evolved. They are new to me and just as exciting to me as those viewing them. My thoughts of what I want to show the world as an artist are the only goals I’ve had since I graduated.”

“I’m excited to bring 51������’s Tower Gallery on September 18," said Noah Herman, visiting assistant professor and Tower Gallery director. “Laike’s work is in many ways equal parts expressive, formalistic, and classical. Her evocative surreal paintings remind me of work from masters like Francis Bacon. Her use of symbolism and command of the human figure showcase her affinity for Renaissance art. This collection of her work aims to take stock of her past to examine what the future might hold.”