Friday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center announces the opening of “Release and React.” The exhibit will feature three artists groups: Brush Strokes Studio, East Mountain Mentoring Artists, and the Vermont Abstract Connection, creating a rich and diverse body of work from 16 Vermont artists.
An artist reception will be held Friday, Feb. 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Chaffee Art Center, 17 South Main Street, Rutland. The Chaffee is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The exhibit will be up through March 31.
Brush Strokes Studio came together over 15 years ago to learn from Linda Stanton Patrick. While all artists were influenced by her teachings on realism, they have become an eclectic group that displays a broad spectrum of original canvases where the subject matter reflects their personalities and interests. The majority of the art work is done in oil, but also includes watercolor, sketching, coffee art, and elaborate crafts. Exhibiting artists include Lorraine Brown, Pam Hidde, Barbara Peterson, Kleng T. Walker, and Lisa Walker.
East Mountain Mentoring Artists (EMMA), an artist mentoring group, was formed in 2013. It has 10 members who regularly meet to discuss the issues associated with being an artist, and to encourage each other creatively and professionally. EMMA artists share their work individually, and as a group in the community and also participate in community projects and volunteer opportunities. Membership provides a forum to keep abreast of art trends, exhibits, and exposure to artists, workshops and books, as well as sources for materials and supplies. EMMA recognizes that artists need a support system to grow in their specialties and to have opportunities to share successes and setbacks in a profession that is relatively solitary. Exhibiting artists include Mary Crowley, Christine Holzschuh, Lowell Snowdon Klock, Ann McFarren, Betsy Moakley, Rae Newell, Karen Seward, Heather Shay, and Christine Townsend.
Vermont Abstract Connection is a collective of abstract artists, founded in 2013, that meets six times a year in their homes and studios, to share artwork, process, and new ideas, through the visual language of abstraction. Exhibiting artists include Robert Hooker, Mary Fran Lloyd, and Mareva Millarc.
For more information, visit chaffeeartcenter.org.
Photo courtesy of Chaffee Art Center
Photos are named, with artist, from left to right: (top row) “Okemo” by Pam Hidde, “Bringing in the Greens” by Barbara Peterson, “Stand Together” by Mareva Millarc, “First Bite” by Kleng T. Walker, “Rose” by Lorraine Brown, “For You” by Karen Seward; (middle row) “Red Falcon” by Christine Townsend, “Restraint” by Mary Fran Lloyd, “Quiet Street in Provence” by Heather Shay, “Untitled” by Ann McFarren, “Reading” by Christine Holzschuh, “Blueberries” by Betsy Moakley, untitled by Robert Hooker; (bottom row) “Route 100 Farm” by Rae Newell, “End of the Day” by Lisa Walker, “Herculaneum Italy” by Lowell Klock.
