Also: John Baker’s ‘Past & Present’
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
This year’s 60th Annual Chadds Ford Art Show presents the work of 70 local professional artists in a variety of media and price-point this Friday and Saturday, March 20 -21st. In addition to the many fine artists that show in the main exhibition hall, the Art Committee had added an “Art Salon- Other Points of View” which offers a more intimate view of five local contemporary fine artists.
The large still life works of David Oleski, atmospheric encaustic works of Erica Brown, ceramic wall sculptures of Rhoda Kahler, oil paintings of industrial vistas by Teresa Hagg and stunning contemporary steel works by Stan Smokler will be featured in the Salon this year.
Cityscape by Teresa Haag, one of a number of local artists’ whose work will be featured at the annual Chadds Ford Art Show this weekend.
The Salon Show was curated by yours truly and arranged by the hardworking Chadds Ford Art Show volunteer committee. The Salon provides an opportunity to view contemporary works in the setting of a small gallery, and is just one of the many ways that the wonderfully popular annual art show is continuing to add to the art show experience. Friday Night the show opens with delicious food and music from 7-10pm, and Saturday it opens to the whole family from 10am -4pm.
John Baker
Thursday March 19th from 4-7pm is the opening reception for the new “Past & Present ” exhibition at West Chester University’s E.O. Bull Center for the Arts. This multi-media art show highlights the works of John Baker, Gus Sermas and Sally Van Orden, all of whom are studio faculty from the Department of Art & Design at West Chester University. “Past & Present” represents a forty year span of their artworks, encompassing ceramics, paintings and mixed media which were created through their years of teaching.
It is always so inspiring to see a selection of works that represent an artist’s viewpoint over time, especially if that artist is also a teacher and mentor to other artists. John Baker is famous for his vessels which often relate to his response to his travels, and ” have a ceremonial context, where the bowl and the vessel were always affiliated with ritual, whether it is ceremonial or everyday appearances. … the bowl is a container, which enables me to create the imagery or the sculptural objects in the interior.” I am looking forward to hearing them talk about their work!
This past Sunday, The Brandywine River Museum of Art held a delightfully entertaining and inspiring lecture by celebrated Caldecott illustrator David Wiesner. You should check their website regularly for their guest speakers because they are always fantastic. Mr. Wiesner is famous for “Tuesday”, and “Flotsam” among many other magical titles of his picture books. Bravo to the museum for highlighting such a fascinating story teller and artist!
This weekend as a special treat for our younger artists, The Art Gallery at Franklin Commons in Phoenixville is inviting everyone to “Family Art Night” on Friday March 20th from 6:30-8pm. This fun event will encourage kids to interact with the current exhibit “The Art of Science” with scavenger hunts and some take home art projects. What a great way to encourage everyone in the family to enjoy the visual arts!
Also this weekend, in Wilmington Delaware, The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts hosts its annual meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Night on Thursday March 19th from 5-8pm. Cocktails and appetizers will be served before and after the meeting, and then the “Flashlight tour” begins with a very unique way to appreciate the new exhibit by Hiro Sakaguchi “Avert, Escape or Cope With” which features glow-in-the-dark elements that are not visible to the daytime visitor. This is also a nice time to renew your membership and take advantage of the 20% off all purchases the DCAA Alternatives Store.
http://cfes.ucfsd.org/artshow/
Lele Galer is an artist who has chaired numerous art shows, taught art history and studio art, public art and has chaired, written and taught the Art in Action Art Appreciation series for the UCFD schools for the past 13 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Asociated Press in Rome. She has been dedicated to Art History and art education for most of her adult life. Lele and her husband Brad own Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square .
