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03/16/2017 12:01 AMWhat is the purpose of barriers and entryways?
Spectrum Gallery and Store of Centerbrook explores that topic with its newest exhibition, Walls, Fences and Doors: Obstacle or Opportunity. The six-week show, running from Friday, March 24 through Sunday, 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 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Gallery, 61 Main Street, Centerbrook.
“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!” says Barbara Nair, Spectrum Gallery director.
More than 60 fine artists and artisans are exhibiting and they are 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, and 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 U.S. 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 that offers new work in mediums such as pottery, ceramics, fabric, wood, paper, jewelry, and more.
Spectrum Gallery and Store is open Wednesday through Saturday (noon to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 5 p.m.). The gallery is an expansion of the non-profit arts organization Arts Center Killingworth, which offers classes, workshops, and camps with a mission to provide opportunities for emerging and established artists to develop, display, and sell their work. For more information, call Spectrum Gallery 860-767-0742 or visit spectrumartgallery.org. To learn more about the Arts Center Killingworth, call 860-663-5593 or visit artscenterkillingworth.org.