Art Live: Exhibits open with fall colors

Posted by Constance McBride on September 3, 2019

N Lamar at Guadeloupe Triangle, No. 02 by Erika Stearly

Summer is winding down, and I’ve already spotted falling leaves in those familiar colors of red and gold. These earthy hues and more can be seen in the works of art I’m highlighting this week. There are several new shows nearby to choose from. I’m also including some key shows that might not be on your radar but are worth the drive to see them.

First up is the Freyberger Gallery at Penn State Berks Campus in Reading which is hosting Dolores Kirshner, Mike Miller and Erika Stearly this month. A reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5^th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. These artists were awarded a three person show while exhibiting their works in the annual Frederick H. Gaige Juried Exhibition held a few months ago. Simply titled Three Artist Exhibition, it will include individual works by each of them. A collaborative project will also be unveiled during the opening. It should prove to be an interesting show. Miller, a high school art teacher, is known for his murals and his commitment to the arts in the area. Kirshner is a ceramic sculptor and the founder of Clay on Main in Oley. Stearly is a painter. When I first saw her scenes of somewhat cluttered rooms, they reminded me of Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Bedroom at Arles. But in Van Gogh’s painting, we know it is of a room he occupied. In Stearly’s paintings, we don’t know who lives in them. It’s as if we are invading someone’s privacy and it makes them all the more intriguing. The show will be on display until Oct. 10^th, 2019. The gallery is located in the Perkins Student Center.

Heading to the Exton Square Mall for some back-to-school shopping? Take a break and stop in at Chester County Art Associations’ Exton Square Studio Gallery to see Gwenn Knapp’s solo exhibition. Knapp exhibits her work frequently and it always seems fresh. She is well known for her portraiture work and she is a master of the still life. At first glance you might think you are looking at a photograph. She calls herself a realist and I’d venture to add hyper to the front of that title. The show opens this Thursday, Sept. 5^th. A reception will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7^th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 25^th. For more information on Knapp visit https://gwennknapp.com/.

There is also a pop-up show of paintings on display by Jeff McCredie. If you are a serious beach lover, his spacious (5’ x 7’) painting titled Surf’s Up is the perfect piece to keep you satisfied until next summer. And, while you are there, be sure to browse the Art Shop where new artworks have recently come in from CCAA member artists. CCAA is located on the first floor near Boscov’s.

In West Chester, The Art Trust at Meridian Bank is holding a reception for the abstract show Layered. Artists Vicki Vinton, Portia Mortensen and Ken Karlic will be on hand to meet with guests on Friday, Sept. 6^th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

First Friday is also coming up at Ivystone Studio Gallery in Downingtown where sculptor Adam Capone will be demonstrating the techniques he uses to make his wildly fascinating sculptures. He uses all sorts of furniture parts and found objects and the results can be astounding. Demonstrations by the artist will take place Sept. 6^th between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Since my primary medium is clay, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the excellent exhibition opening on September 7^th at Main Line Art Center. Playing with Fire is a must see show if you are a fan of figurative sculpture. It is Etta Winigrad’s first retrospective exhibition of ceramic sculpture and covers five decades of her career as an artist. The reception is being held on Sept. 14^th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The show runs till Oct. 20^th, 2019.

Other events worth checking out in Delaware: Biggs Body opens on Friday, Sept 6^th at Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover. This inaugural juried exhibition of figural art features works by 60 artists. For details visit http://www.biggsmuseum.org/biggsbody/. And, Mitch Lyons: The Hand Translated, opens on Sept 7^th at Delaware Art Museum.

In Philadelphia, the retrospective exhibition Showroom, featuring Shawn Hileman and collaborators opens on Sept. 6^th at High 5 Gallery in Northern Liberties. Visit http://www.High5Gallery.com for more details.

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.