BELLOWS FALLS-Canal Street Art Gallery, 23 Canal St., presents new solo shows of Joshua Aaron Gray, Theresa Karpinski, Kathleen Kemp, Amy Raab, and Sandy Sherman, opening Friday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 12. Join the gallery on 3rd Friday Gallery Night in Bellows Falls from 5 to 8 p.m. for the artists' opening reception.
This fall, with the launch of its new Solo Show Program and growing Working Artist Program, the Gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the third Friday of every month until 8 p.m.
Gray, based in Bellows Falls, works in watercolors creating portraits of animals and, more recently, people. Gray was born with Down syndrome in 1972. He loves life, hugs, adventures, nature, animals, his family and friends, cooking and eating, hiking and biking.
Gray is passionate about his art, say event organizers, "using his whimsical humor and kindness to portray animals instilled with personality and surrounded by colorful and often densely composed designs and patterns." Subjects include domestic, wild, and fantastic animals from around the world. Gray is a prolific artist and says he wishes to share his art to make people joyful and happy. The artist's solo show includes Gray's first portraits of people, including his favorite celebrity: Madonna.
Karpinski, based in Brattleboro, makes three-dimensional collages using multitudes of minute objects painted and arranged into scenes. "Blending lightheartedness and seriousness is how Karpinski views life, as well as her process of creating," say organizers. She is newly represented by Canal Street Art Gallery.
Kemp, based in Westminster, works with "attic treasures" to create sculptures using an array of textures and materials assembled as puzzles with pieces meant to be together. Kemp recently relocated from Arlington, Massachusetts, where she began scavenging for old, forgotten, or displaced objects while directing a geriatric care management practice and carrying a respect for the stories, imagined and real, from elders and old objects and places.
Raab, based in Saxtons River, works with her own photographs and watercolor paintings to create collages inspired by memories of the Vermont landscape. Raab's compositions make use of open spaces to balance cut shapes assembled with just enough for the viewer to see a landscape. She recently relocated from Massachusetts and continues her thirty-five year career as a photographer. She is newly represented by Canal Street Art Gallery.
Sherman, based in Bellows Falls, paints still lifes using light and color to portray scenes of everyday objects, vintage clothing, and antiques. She is a native of New Hampshire and has been painting in the traditional manner since 1980. The artist studied with Richard Whitney, where she learned the basics of classical realism, as well as with Debbie Crowder and Peter Granucci. She is a member of numerous art organizations. Sherman is newly represented by Canal Street Art Gallery.
All gallery events are free. For wheelchair accessibility call 802-289-0104. For more information about the solo shows, visit canalstreetartgallery.com.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.