Spectrum Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook presents Nature in Black & White, March 30 through May 13, with an exhibit of original artwork that highlights the detail and beauty found in nature when artists limit their palettes to grays, whites and black. The six-week show, located at 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, Connecticut includes an Open Reception on Friday, March 30 (6:30-9pm) with new and original work by fine artists and artisans as well as wine, appetizers and desserts.
“The limited palette of this show gives the pieces a modern, almost abstracted style, “says Barbara Nair, Director of Spectrum Gallery. “It requires viewers to look more closely to discern the detail in what they are seeing and to view nature differently when the colors we are accustomed to are not there. This seems to be an ongoing theme in many of our shows – look more closely and take more time when exploring a piece of art.”
Presenting at Spectrum is painter Andrea Marsiano, a New York-based artist, who creates landscapes in soft colors that typically depict imagery of clouds, mountains, the sea, and glaciers; Italian-born and award-winning painter Iacopo Pasquinelli whose work captures the romantic view of the local countryside and coastlines; mixed media artist and painter Margaret VonKleist Emond; collage and mixed media artist Regina Thomas; artist Sandra Baker who creates cutout artworks from paper; and Tanya McIntyre whose compositions incorporate drawing, printmaking, encaustic, collage and painting. Other painters exhibiting at Spectrum Gallery are Jay Babina, Sarah Thompson, Catherine Satsuk, Christine Miller, Marjorie Sopkin, Pam Carlson, and Pat Damiani.
Also presenting in the exhibit are painter Dawn Tyler, who works in oils, painting both in plein air and from photo references; Kathleen DeMeo, a printmaker, painter and mixed-media installation artist whose primary medium is monotype, a painterly form of printmaking; Sharon Lee Dougherty, a painter using multiple media to make imaginative works; Linda King who paints in acrylics and uses pen on paper to create intricate black and white images; and Melissa Imossi, an artist who creates contemporary realistic drawings and paintings. New to Spectrum is sculptor Edward Walsh who works on granite to create stunning and unique black and white bas reliefs of nature. Returning to Spectrum are painter and mixed media artists Judith Osborne, Pam Erickson, and Sharon Lee Didato.
Artworks in black and white are also amply presented through the photographic medium by returning photographer and mixed media artist William Vollers; photographer and collage artist Stephen Martin; and digital photographer C. Peter Chow. Elin Dolle, a mixed media artist and photographer presents several of her powerful images of horses; Sally Perreten captures landscape and nature scenes; as well as photographer George Fellner who creates images from nature – often presented in abstract form and many on metal. New and original works are also available by photographers Normand Charlette, Paul Ramsey, Robert Thomas, and Fred Rosenthal.
Fine artisans in Spectrum Gallery and Store include new work by mixed media and metal artist Beverly Waters; wood artisan Philip Bird creating more one-of-a-kind mirrors, glass artisans Sharon Lewis, Carole Young and Maryann Flick; decorative artisan Joanne Brown; quilter Judy Ross and knitters Christine Mailhot and Marsha Borden. New work by ceramic and pottery artisans are represented by Kiara Matos, Lori Rembetski, Terry van Heusen, Rosemary McClain and Nancy Scilipote. Also in Spectrum’s Store is Lisa Pichnarcik who offers a series of hand-painted greeting cards, as does felter Holly Bollier known for her original paper collage cards and charming felted
A fine jewelry designer new to Spectrum, Susan Riach, is showing her line of sterling silver contemporary, sculptural earrings, bracelets and necklaces with an organic sense of flow inspired by the artist’s study of yoga. Many other favorite designers are refreshing their work with new pieces to celebrate the coming of Spring.
Spectrum Gallery and Store’s new hours are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (12-6pm) and Thursday and Sunday (12-5pm). The Gallery is an expansion of the non-profit Arts Center Killingworth which organizes classes, workshops and art camps and offers opportunities for emerging and established artists to develop, display and sell their work. For more information call Spectrum (860) 767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org; or call the Arts Center (860) 663-5593 and visit artscenterkillingworth.org.
