I'm active in my local arts group, the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative, which runs a part-time gallery in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Currently a change in week day hours is being contemplated but you can visit the gallery, called the Mill Gallery, on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5pm at 558 Mineral Spring Avenue in Pawtucket. Everything's $150, with 1/3 going to PAC.
Advertisement over, now to the fun part.
Currently on view is the annual 10x10 Show and the point of the show is that all works have to be 10x10 inches in size, and if a 3D piece it can only reach 10 inches into the area. Many of the PAC members (as this is a member show) have trouble working small, something which I have no trouble. My problem is working larger, actually.
Anyway, I have been very pleased with the work shown in this year's exhibition and wanted to share some of the pieces with you (yes, I'm in it too but this is about other people, not me).
First of all, I want to highlight a collage artist I really love and respect for the detail and nuances of her work, Hiroko Shikashio. A long time painter and collagist, you can see the painterly detail in her work, especially this piece called "Autumn Rhapsody."
A set of paintings by Vincent Capaldi really. captured my attention. It's a set of 3 entitled "Alley in the Square Series," showing a similar scene with subtle changes in each piece. The yellow painting sold on Saturday and I was very pleased that it was I who handled the transaction.
Whenever Ewa Dzwierzynski enters a piece into this show or others that I've seen, I'm always amazed. It's wild and wonderful assemblage art and I just love it. This piece is called "Siren Sea Treasures"
A painting I really enjoyed is by Rob Mariani, called "Yardbird." If I had the money, I'd certainly consider buying it.
Last but very definitely not least is this assemblage by Tim McCarthy called "He Thought of the Titanic." I am amazed by the work involved in this piece and have admired his assemblage pieces for some time. This is another piece I would have liked to purchase but unfortunately someone else got it. It is just amazing to me.
These are just a very few of the 100 pieces entered in this exhibition. In a future blog post I will show you several others I really like, and maybe even my own.
I do want to say, though, that you can spend a lovely afternoon walking around a gallery or art museum and look at the wonderful works on display. Even if there are pieces you dislike there is always something to enjoy. Do support your local art museums and arts groups with visits to their galleries. Art is an important part of our lives, don't you think?
later,
lin
