Scarlett Thicket Farm in Kennett Square is well known by locals for its annual spring art show hosted by Peter Welling and curated by Stan Smokler. It typically features works by well-known local artists in its majestic barn, including Katee Boyle. This weekend, the venue is opening its doors again for another unique art gathering. With safety measures in place, and in an open-air setting, Boyle’s taken the reigns to plan an exhibition and performance of sorts. She’ll be unveiling new work and has invited three other artists to show their work there too.
Boyle has been feverishly sculpting, welding, forging, writing, sewing and painting. She’s also been collaborating with some of her photographer friends; people she trusts and who understand her vision. “I am excited to share the newest narratives I have been chipping away at during the past six months. I am ambitiously completing four life-size dioramas for documentation and Studio Tour visitors will have the first preview! The installations are a combination of 2-D works, conceptual sculptural-objects, and illustrative collaborations with Photographers Carlos Alejandro, Jie Deng, and Natale Caccamo.” A storyteller who isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve, her work is soul stirring. Intriguing sneak peeks, posted on social media, beg to be seen in person. These installations are not to be missed. For more information about Boyle, visit her website here.
Delaware artist Roderick Hildago usually makes his mixed media art at a studio inside The Delaware Contemporary, but his space wasn’t accessible for months. He found a way around it though. “This obstacle was especially problematic for me due to the incredibly messy nature of the materials that I work with. I had to completely change my process and find a way to continue creating at home. Instead of viewing this as a complete road block, I decided to take advantage of this time to create some experimental works and come up with a new concept for my next series.” About showing at Scarlett Thicket Farm, Hildago said, “We have a beautifully curated show inside of an unarguably stunning space. You can expect to be visually satisfied!” Following the studio tour, Hildago will be working on a project with fashion designer, Shawn Baron Pinckney. “This project is centered on the 100 year anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage movement and will be included in The Delaware Contemporary’s, ‘Art and Couture: A Contemporary Centennial’ in late September.” For more information about Hildago, visit his website here.
Philadelphia artist Alex Griffin will have his atmospheric paintings hung in a traditional manner within the barn. “It will be a unique experience for me and hopefully the viewer.” Unlike Hildago, he’s used to working from a home studio but trying to work during the pandemic proved to be problematic for him. “I have spent an incredible amount of time sitting in my studio and looking at my work while trying to make decisions. There are times where I will just walk into my studio because I feel like I have to, and I will just look at a painting without working on it, for hours and then I will leave.” Two of his shows were cancelled this year but somehow he managed to keep things moving along. For more information on Alex Griffin, visit his website here. In full disclosure, this columnist will also have work on display at Scarlett Thicket Farm, Studio #47, during the Chester County Studio Tour.
Miho Kahn, is opening her studio in West Chester for visitors. Kahn took on two projects this year and she is excited about them. “Having such intensely focused time and my desire to be outside created the space for me to take on an environmental art installation that I have been thinking about for some time. I felt particularly sad about the lost time between family members, especially new babies and the infirm. Out of those thoughts and prayers a book emerged that I am very fond of. I am presently working on the illustrations for it. These two projects have coalesced and I am thrilled with the results.” Weather permitting, Kahn will be displaying the paintings and installations which are both now part of the book. Located at 485 South Creek Road in West Chester, Kahn’s Studio is #44. To get a taste for all that she is doing, visit here. The Chester County Studio Tour is this Saturday Sept. 19th and Sunday, Sept. 20th.
Other events worth checking out: In West Chester, CCAA is hosting two new virtual shows: a solo of works by artist Neil Dreibelbis and a group show titled, “Topographically Told.” Both will be on view from Sept. 17th through Oct. 8th. Visit here for the latest updates.
In Philly, see the new show, “Growth Determined” at HOT-BED on Chestnut Street. It features fascinating works by Francis Beaty, Kate Norris and Gregory Brellochs.
Whatever you do this week, support the arts!!
About Constance McBride
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
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