Tales from the Near Side: The Life and Art of Carleton Wing

Carleton Wing was a self taught collage and assemblage artist whose practice was grounded in imagination and storytelling. His traditional and digital collages, as well as assemblage works, built surreal scenes that combined humor, social commentary, and unexpected visual pairings.

Wing purchased and renovated an abandoned commercial building in Lexington and founded Wingspan Gallery. There he presented new bodies of his own work each year while also exhibiting local, regional, and national artists, along with faculty and graduating students from area universities. He remained active in his practice until his passing in 2020, just weeks before a scheduled exhibition with the Lexington Art League.

This retrospective honors Wing's enduring presence in Lexington and celebrates the imagination, wit, and material curiosity that shaped his art. There will be works from Wing's estate, pieces from private collections as well as new works created in response to his practice. Participating artists will join in recognizing a life devoted to making, exhibiting, and sharing art with his community.