Art For All Spaces in partnership with The Obsidian Gallery at Faith Arts Village Orlando (FAVO) proudly presents The Shape of Our Surroundings, a compelling solo exhibition by artist Chad Pollpeter. The exhibition will be open to the public during FAVO’s First Friday and First Saturday art walk events on May 1 and May 2 from 6-9pm at The Obsidian Gallery (#244).
Can't See The Forest For The Trees
The Shape of Our Surroundings examines the powerful role environment plays in shaping both the artist and the subject matter of the work itself. Through Pollpeter’s distinctive visual language, viewers are invited to consider how the physical, psychological, and cultural environments we inhabit influence perception, identity, and creative expression. His paintings suggest that our surroundings are not simply backdrops to our lives, but active forces that shape our experiences, decisions, and even our inner worlds.
Chad Pollpeter was born and raised in the Midwest and earned his degree in Art Education from Florida State University in 1994. After graduating, he moved to Virginia, where he began both painting and teaching art. In 2000, he relocated to Central Florida, where he continues to teach traditional art classes at Full Sail University. Pollpeter regularly exhibits his work, which is held in private collections across the United States and internationally.
Influenced by surrealism and a deep appreciation for science fiction, Pollpeter approaches painting as an intuitive process, allowing meaning to develop organically as each piece evolves. A central theme throughout his work is the interconnectedness of all things — the idea that every action creates ripples that extend far beyond its origin. His paintings often feature organic and natural forms that surround and interact with his figures, visually reinforcing the concept that nothing exists in isolation and that all things are part of a continuous cycle of influence and transformation.
This exhibition highlights Pollpeter’s ongoing exploration of how environments—both natural and imagined—can envelop, shape, and redefine the figures within them, serving as a visual metaphor for the unseen forces that connect us all.
Building Walls
The Obsidian Gallery, operated by Art For All Spaces at FAVO, continues its mission of providing meaningful exhibition opportunities for both established and emerging artists while fostering dialogue between artists and the Central Florida community.
Exhibition Details:
Exhibition: The Shape of Our Surroundings
Artist: Chad Pollpeter
Dates: May 1–2, 2026
Reception Hours: 6-9pm PM (both evenings)
Location: The Obsidian Gallery at FAVO, Studio #244
221 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL
Feature photo: The Veil Between Worlds
All photos courtesy and copyright Chad Pollpeter, published with permission