CRITIC’S PICK: Howard Kurtzman & Percy Rivera at Watson Gallery, Distillery of Modern Art – “My artwork is a blend of pop, fine, contemporary, geometric, abstract,” says self-taught artist Howard Kurtzman. “I hand mix every color on every canvas. Mixing paint and my use of color I believe are what makes my paintings special and unique.” Percy Rivera, born in Peru, received a formal education in art and specializes in various styles of portraiture using acrylic paint, charcoal, and mixed media. Rivera says he likes to “explore unconventional compositions and examine the realm of abstraction, capturing the essence of my subjects through a kaleidoscope of hues.” – Kevin C. Madigan