Art Watch: Last chance for art bloom

Posted by Lele Galer on June 27, 2017

Work of Serge Krupnov at Church Street Gallery

The Chester County region experienced an exciting art bloom in June, and as July approaches, galleries and workspaces host their closing receptions until the fall. In the wake of one of Kennett Square’s largest art walks, the Hopper to Homer exhibition at the Brandywine River Museum, the annual exhibition and one of my favorite art parties at Scarlett Thicket Farm, and the installation of a beautiful new Rob Sigafoos sculpture right along State street, July leads us along some art endeavors that encapsulate the more breezy, bucolic aspects of the season.

Street Road installation Nicholas, Anthony & Dennis Santella "Shared Ground"

The juried photograph exhibition, Reflections Thru The Lens at Wayne Arts Center ends on June 30th. I was able to sneak in at the last minute, to scope out the wide range of landscape photography. While I enjoy the rolling hills of the mid-Atlantic region, or large panoramas illustrating the stark contrast of a verdant field and a glowing, fiery sunset, I was most struck by a piece by Laura Ducceschi. “The Pier” features a placid beach scape encompassing the seaglass and

Laura Ducceschi. “The Pier,” Wayne Art Center

sand palette that comes with the territory. However, the traditionally horizontal composition is interrupted abruptly by a backlit dilapidated pier. The structure, having been separated into three different sections due to erosion, seemingly crawls out of the sand and starts marching towards the water like a trio of Dali-esque stilt animals.

The exhibition was juried by John J. Carlano, Independent Commercial Photographer and Adjunct Associate at the University of the Arts.

Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009). Maga’s Daughter, 1966, tempera. © 2017 Andrew Wyeth/Artists Rights Society (ARS) Private Collection

In honor of what would be Andrew Wyeth’s 100th birthday, The Brandywine River Museum is showcasing a selection of his work. Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect is open now through September 17th and is co-curated by Audrey Lewis (Curator, Brandywine River Museum of Art) and Patricia Junker (Curator of American Art at the Seattle Art Museum). The show presents Wyeth’s work in chronological order and presents the evolution of his trademark autumnal palette and hyper realism. After its summer showing in Chester County, the exhibition will be exhibited in the Seattle Art Museum in Washington State in October.

Moving towards the Kennett Borough, Robert Jackson will be hosting his closing reception at The Creamery on Thursday, June 29th from 5 to 7 p.m. Since the end of May, Jackson has been creating a series of trompe l’oeil mini murals throughout the farmhouse room of The Creamery. Some of his work may go undetected, even to the relatively trained eye. All I have to say is not expect any of the outlets in that room to accept your charger.

Jackson adds a new voice to the growing artist rolodex hosted by The Creamery. Previously limited to sculpture artists, Stan Smokler, Jeff Bell, David Beck, John Rush and Lele Galer, Jackson is the first painter featured at The Creamery. Not only does this venue provide a beautiful, rustic local for a variety of artwork, The Creamery hopes to expand to host workshops and classes available to the public similar to the Oxbow Farms wreath making workshop during last years’ Holiday Village Market!

Nearby at 432 Walnut Street enjoy another art experience at the worKS. Scope out their happy hour deals while sipping on a complimentary cocktail. One of Kennett’s newest and funkiest gems, worKS, has culled an impressive group of artisans from woodworker Greg Pilotti, and connoisseur of everything that smells amazing (soaps, to candles to incense), Zoet Bathlatier (Ilka Evans), to some more local flavor like Charlie Dog Vintage (for all of your eccentric statement t-shirt needs), and Pam Lau Pottery. After a worKS happy hour, you’re guaranteed to go home happy and, perhaps with more than you had anticipated.

Looking for more? Don’t forget to check out these offerings and exhibitions.

A cooking class will be held at Galer Estate Thursday June 29. Wine Dinner with Adam Diltz of Johnny Brenda’s and Virginia Mitchell of Galer Estate

The art exhibit at Church Street Gallery is wrapping up July 8 Serge Krupnov: The Insatiable Eye The artist is giving a gallery talk on Friday, July 7th from 7 to 9 p.m.

The exhibit at Street Road Artists Space is also closing July 8. Nicholas, Anthony and Dennis Santella - “Shared Ground”

Guest writer: Caroline Roosevelt is a writer and artist based in Kennett Square, PA. She received her B.A. in Art History from Connecticut College and a Post Baccalaureate certificate from Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She has previously written art coverage in Seattle, WA and Philadelphia, PA.

About Lele Galer

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 12 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Associated 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.