Michael Branca's CAUTION:WET PAINT will be open to the public from First Friday, July, to First Friday, August, 2004. This combination art exhibition, public outreach, art residency and open studio will be launched with an artist's talk at an opening event. The gallery will function as both studio and exhibition space for the duration of the project. Branca will speak to the audience about artistic process, confidence, fear and momentum, as related specifically to his en plein air landscape painting and his imagination-based studio work. Examples of both will be on display.

Over the next several weeks the exhibition will evolve daily as Branca adds new work. The gallery will be open to the public during all scheduled and unscheduled hours (both daytime and night) that he is working. Visitors will be allowed a rare glimpse into the complete process of art-making, and invited to participate through observation, discussion and critique. Branca's entire working process will be exposed and on view, welcoming the chance for serendipity, inspiration and discovery made possible for himself and his viewers.

The project will conclude with a closing reception on August 6. At this event Branca will give another talk, reviewing the results of the month. The new work will have by this point replaced much of the older work displayed at the opening.

"By asking anyone interested to observe and participate in my process, I hope to break down some of the mystique surrounding what it is to "be an artist." I also will humble myself by accepting any and all input that may come my way. If successful, both my audience and I will experience moments when our stagnant thoughts and preconceptions are replaced with positive, honest communication and interaction.

"I hope that this project will capture the attention and imagination of a broad range of people, and that its ever-changing nature will inspire multiple visits. By presenting the artistic process as a live, active, evolving event, I hope to awaken in my audience a new appreciation and understanding for the power of communication through art."