Walls, Fences and Doors: Obstacle or Opportunity
Spectrum Gallery and Store of Centerbrook, Connecticut explores the timely topic of the purpose of barriers and entryways with its newest exhibition, Walls, Fences and Doors: Obstacle or Opportunity. The six-week show, from March 24 through May 7 attempts to address the significance of these everyday elements. Are they to protect, to honor and to invite us into a space? Or do they create obstacles that exclude us from ourselves and others? The exhibit of paintings, photography and mixed media works by local and regional artists includes an Opening Reception on March 24, 6:30-9pm at the Gallery, 61 Main St, Centerbrook, Connecticut.
“This is one of our largest shows to date and for the first time divided almost equally between painters, mixed media artists and photographers who were very excited by this theme. The many fine artists in this show express themselves from finely rendered and colorful compositions to personal political commentary. In some cases photographers are provocative while others compose for beauty or just fun!” notes Barbara Nair, Spectrum Gallery Director.
Over 60 fine artists and artisans are exhibiting in Walls, Fences and Doors submitting from Connecticut, New York and New England. Several artists are first-time presenters at the Gallery including Bruce Ferraris, who has had several solo shows at the New Britain Art League; photographers Deborah Shupenis, Shilpa Kulkarni, East Haddam resident Pamela Walters and John Lawler, a Killingworth resident, who has had a life-long love of black and white photography. Other award-winning photographers are Howard Margules who has lived and worked in China; photographer Jacquelyn Etling who works in the infrared photographic medium; and Julian Johnson, a photographer and collage artist from Austin, Texas.
New fine artists participating are painter Jessica David who works with oil and acrylic spray paint; illustrator and art director Marion Schneider of New York; abstract painter Paula Gabriel, who grew up in California and has lived and exhibited throughout the US and Europe; Sandra Dee Baker, an abstract collage artist whose work has been shown at The New Britain Museum of Art; and Massachusetts printmaker and abstract artist Sandra Mayo who was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Many favorite artists are also returning to Spectrum with new work including encaustic artists and collage artists, painters, photographers, fabric artists, printmakers and sculptors. In addition to the Gallery, Spectrum includes a fine artisan store which offers new work in mediums such as pottery, ceramics, fabric, wood, paper, jewelry and more.
Spectrum Gallery and Store is open Wednesday through Saturday (12-6pm) and Sunday (12-5pm). The Gallery is an expansion of the non-profit arts organization Arts Center Killingworth which offers classes, workshops, camps and whose mission is to provide opportunities for emerging and established artists to develop, display and sell their work. For more information call Spectrum Gallery (860) 767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org. To learn more about the Arts Center Killingworth call (860) 663-5593.