Craig Stover is a man of many talents. As Allen's Lane Art Center's new Executive Director since June of this year, he oversees all aspects of the multi-functional nonprofit organization, from enlisting volunteers for jobs like theatre set painting and gallery sitting to development, marketing, public relations, class scheduling, dance, theatre, summer day camp, website maintenance, and art exhibition scheduling. As an artist he continuously creates expressive work and operates an appointment-only studio in the Art Museum area to show and sell his wares.

These two facets of his personality unite in ALAC's current exhibit, Paintings and Sculpture, in the Carolyn Fiedler-Alber Gallery through October 24. Approximately 25 paintings, prints, linoleum prints, and watercolor collages, as well as 40 small aluminum sculptures, introduce the versatile leader to the institution's members and Philadelphia's art lovers.

"I thought it was a great way to kill two birds with one stone," Stover said. "It was not only a way to introduce myself, but to also allow people to come to the exhibition and meet me and to find out what's going to be new and what's happening at Allen's Lane."

Stover's history is as varied as his interests. He boasts positions like Director of Technology Programs and Services at Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, Web Manager/Web Master at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Assistant Director at Snyderman-Works Galleries, Studio Assistant at Sam Maitin Studio, and Exhibitions Coordinator at the Philadelphia Art Alliance. He possesses a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree from Philadelphia's University of the Arts in painting, drawing, and printmaking and undergraduate studies at Tyler School of Art. He teaches and lectures about topics ranging from fine to business art, does web development and digital imaging, and studies art history, literature, science, and philosophy, which he incorporates into every part of his life.

As the new sheriff in town, so to speak, he has big plans for ALAC that include increasing the center's visibility and membership, tightening artists' submission guidelines, and extending show lengths from one month to a month and a half to give audiences and artists more time to enjoy the exhibitions, starting with his own.

"I wanted to do a selection of works that highlight some of the things I do, so the earliest piece is from 1997, the 'Adam and Eve' painting," explained Stover. "It gives an overview of some of the different series that I've done. I wanted to show people my range. I tend to work in series because rather than just make one painting I like to explore the theme to see how far I can push it."

His "Imaginary Botanicals" paintings consist of colorful, modernist plants influenced by his work in ANS's botanical department during 9/11's horrific events. Stover states that as he reeled from the nation's pain, he poured his emotions on canvas, creating not the expected gore and anguish, but hope in bright unrealistic watercolors that secretly hide other forms like a game waiting for viewers to decipher, which led to a series of similar pieces.

Stover's "Three Graces" series, unfortunately not in this show but viewable on his website at www.picturemaker.com, demonstrates this idea beautifully with overlapping layers atop the ancient trio of female nudes standing side-by-side with interlocking arms as if risen from a bath. He notes that he borrowed the idea from Titian, but found the same pose in a sixth century Iberian sculpture, although the concept dates to an early Greek frieze, and printed a Tibetan floral pattern to complement the women and tease viewers with something more than a single subject.

Stover confesses to painting for himself, only sketching when he has a planned series, and allows his subjects to speak for themselves. He considers them experiments, particularly since his influences are all artistic styles and every artist he encounters in his studies. He especially seeks to answer "the big questions," as he terms it: why we're here and what it all means.

"We all have grand dreams, but I'm thrilled and delighted to find myself where I'm at in my life where I have a studio [and] patrons," Stover said. "I'm able to paint, do what I want and really enjoy it. Style is not something I consciously worry about; it's something that happens because of the path that I'm on. You never know where the next piece's inspiration is going to come from."

Stover clearly gleans inspiration from his surroundings. His ALAC show is the first time exhibiting his sculptures, for which he gained insight from ANS' specimen collection. Many of the small aluminum statues emanate from dioramas depicting creatures such as the horned Giant Sable Antelopes and resulted in a series entitled "Phantom Animals."

Most items in ALAC's exhibition are for sale, beginning with Stover's sculptures at around $200.00 to about $3,000.00 for other works. Part of the proceeds benefits the center, which recently underwent extensive renovations.

Stover admits that once he received notice of ALAC's Executive Director's position opening he couldn't resist applying. It encompasses all of the things he loves and has trained for during his artist's life that he decided to pursue as early as age 16. His background from studio assistant to accomplished businessman directly correlates to his present job, guiding young artists in their chosen fields, whether performing or painting. He believes strongly in indoctrinating students into the confusing and often beleaguering world of the art business and teaches not only history and technique, but also how to survive.

"I want to get the students to understand how they can increase their toolbox by learning how to make new or more marks, how content can carry the picture and how everything that art history has to teach us can help us grow as artists." maintained Stover.

"It's one of the best things about the arts because people are not only interested in it, but they have questions and talk about it and [that] creates dialogue and gets you thinking. I'm in the arts because I really believe in the enrichment of the self and enrichment of others."

ALAC is located at 601 West Allen's Lane. Contact them at 215-248-0546 or www.allenslane.org for more information.