The first sponsored exhibition at Richmond’s Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen features the work of Konst and Konstantina Konstantinov, art teachers at St. Margaret’s School.

Titled “Timeless Journey,” the show presents the best of the Konstantinov’s recent two- and three-dimensional, contemporary mixed media works. The 35 pieces subtly explore primarily spiritual and religious themes using the combination of abstract impressionist and minimalist techniques that has become the artists’ signature style. Most are created with discarded sails, either shaped into sculptural forms or carefully stretched over traditional canvases.

“Viewing our work is a highly interactive experience,” Konst said. “We create room for everyone to bring his or her own experiences and beliefs to the art. The result is a dialogue between us and the viewer.”

As a result, some gallery visitors will see the Madonna and child or praying hands in the heavily textured paintings, while others will see glowing circles of light and the arches of a contemporary cathedral.

A stunning, installation-scale piece in brilliant red, gold and blue combines draped sails and a framed painting, and can be interpreted as the three Magi viewing the Star of Bethlehem through a window—or alternatively, as a work that celebrates the energy and vitality that flows through the creative process and escapes the confines of convention.

Purely secular topics examined by the Konstantinovs include the three muses of music, dance and poetry, which they present as a series of 12-foot wooden triptychs embellished with paint, texture and real objects. Another installation, “Mayflower,” evokes images of American colonization and female strength with delicately colored sails that take the form of a breastplated torso and sword.

Classically trained at the Bulgarian Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia, the Konstantinovs lived and worked in their native country and the island nation of Malta before moving to Lancaster County in 2001 and St. Margaret’s School in 2002. The couple has mounted exhibitions in Vienna and in Malta, and counts among its honors the Vatican’s silver medal for Christian art and a grand prize at the European Philatelic Exhibition.

With sponsorship from the Markel Corporation, “Timeless Journey” is on display in the Gumenick Gallery at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen through January 7, 2006. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. The Center is located at 2880 Mountain Road, just off the I-295 Woodman Road South exit. For more information, go to www.artsglenallen.com or call the Center at (804) 261-6200.

For more information about the KonKons and their work, go to www.konkons.com